And with the COVID-19 pandemic presents new opportunities for excuses. It’s advised not to use the pandemic as an opportunity for a work excuse. Let’s start with what makes up a good excuse to call out of work and what makes up a bad excuse to call out of work. Whether it’s a child, a spouse, a parent, or a pet who needs you, it’s OK to request a day off to be there for loved ones.

• For example, if a close family friend passes away and the funeral is held during your regular working hours, you may need to take time off work.
• As with any absence, transparency and effective communication are key.
• Examples to avoid include vague illnesses without specifics, fantastical scenarios, or anything that involves lying.
• In such a situation, it’s best to focus on your recovery to avoid exacerbating the injury.
• I have informed [team member’s name] about my situation and will ensure that any pending tasks are delegated appropriately.
• The car breaking down and not starting might have worked as an excuse in the past but right now, the answer from your boss might be “to get an Uber”.

I’ll inform [team member’s name] to cover my responsibilities in my absence. If there are any urgent matters, please feel free to contact me via phone or email. There are times when you need to attend significant personal appointments that cannot be scheduled outside of work hours. This could include meeting with a financial advisor, attorney, therapist, or other professionals. Communicate with your manager about the appointment and the importance of attending it, ensuring you provide sufficient notice. For example, if your child wakes up with a fever and you can’t send them to school, you’ll need to take the day off to care for them.

of the Best Excuses to Miss Work

Your employer will likely appreciate your honesty, and in most cases, be understanding of your situation. Pets also make good reasons to miss work, but this isn’t an excuse you should use regularly. Still, if used only once, it can make a good reason for missing work. If you need to miss work, including on short notice, this article will give you the 12 best excuses to do it. Calling out of work doesn’t need to be difficult, but if you give the wrong reason, it could leave your boss doubting you and could even get you fired in some states.

• Bereavement leave is often provided by employers to accommodate such circumstances.
• Provide any relevant updates or news reports to substantiate your claim.
• For example, if you’ve been feeling particularly stressed and overworked, you might need to take a personal day to relax and recharge.
• Besides, the issuance of these documents can only be processed on weekdays.
• This excuse, however, is often met with skepticism, especially if it sounds like poor planning on your part.

Coming up with an excuse can be the only way and there are differences in what makes an excuse good and outright laughable. Some absences don’t fall into any of the above categories but can still be considered as acceptable reasons to call out of work reasons to miss days (or weeks) from work, depending upon the situation. As an employee of a New York employer, it’s a good idea to know what your employer’s policies are regarding paid, or unpaid, time off.

Illness and Health: When Sickness Calls for a Day Off

Whatever your actual reason and whatever excuses you decide to use, there are a few ways to make the excuse sound better. With these simple four steps, you can guarantee your boss doesn’t start quizzing you more about the reason and you won’t put your career in jeopardy. While the above excuses are generally rather bad, you can still get away with them. However, there are excuses real people have used but which define any sense and sensibility. These excuses are not bad in the “you’re just lazy”-kind of way, but they are so unbelievable that your boss probably won’t know how to react. Certainly, if someone in your family has actually died, it’s not an excuse but a valid issue to talk to your boss about and ask for time off.

A company/boss will not want you in the office if you’re sick and possibly contagious. As always, it’s crucial to communicate with your employer about the situation promptly and professionally and to work out a plan for making up for lost work time. This could include working outside of regular hours or on a weekend, depending on your employer’s policies and your own personal circumstances.