You should also inquire about any legal or financial considerations that may be necessary. Keep in mind that you may be asked to provide an update on the situation upon returning to work. The key is to be professional and provide your employer with as much advance notice as possible. Depending on what it is and your work situation, you might be able to get away with this.
Ultimately, any unexpected situation out of your control can keep you from working. It could be something as simple as running out of gas on the highway as you’re commuting to the office. Or, it can be as dramatic as the family emergencies we listed earlier. Regardless, it’s important to know when to call out so that you can take care of yourself and maintain a good work-life balance.
Doctor’s appointments are a good excuse to miss work for a few hours (or an entire day depending on the situation). But it doesn’t have to be that catastrophic either. Last-minute important deliveries that require a signature can be a valid excuse for calling off work as well. There are even laws covering those work absences, making it a bulletproof excuse for getting out of work. Most managers usually won’t fight you on this, but it’s still professional to provide plenty of notice if you can.
Car Accident
When calling out of work, it’s essential to communicate with management promptly, adhere to company policies, and be truthful about your reasons. By maintaining open lines of communication and providing as much notice as possible, you can help minimize any disruptions in the workplace. Pet emergencies, such as a missing or injured animal, can arise without warning. Your workplace will most likely be empathetic to the need to search for your pet or to locate emergency care for them. As always, it’s key to let them know as soon as you can what’s happening and how much time you need. Transportation issues, such as car trouble or public transit delays, can prevent employees from reaching work on time.
Bulletproof Excuses to Get Out of Work And Exactly What to Say to Your Boss
I feel so embarrassed and I’m sorry for this last-minute notice. If reasons to call out you find that you’ve run out of an important drug, that’s a valid reason to miss work. You can’t go without your diabetes or heart medication. Perhaps you’ve been busy and realized that you just took your last pill this morning. No one will question you for taking care of these things. At some point, everyone experiences some form of home emergency.
But if you think you can use the following reasons to call off work, think again. Explain your situation and why it’s necessary for you to miss work. Emergencies can also force you to move out suddenly. For example, you or a close family member might be dealing with eviction.
Good Reasons & Excuses To Call Off Or Miss Work
If you do, your manager may ask if you could try to take a bus, train, or taxi. But if that’s not possible, don’t hesitate to take the day off. Most companies provide days off for nationally recognized holidays. But if you live in a country where many cultures are present, there are other religious holidays and events that millions of people take time off to enjoy. Whether they run away or accidentally wander outside, locating them can take an entire day. Again, it all comes down to the importance of your pet to you and your family.
And if you find yourself needing too many last-minute days off? That might be a sign to look at bigger issues with your job, health, or personal life that need addressing. A suddenly sick dog or cat that needs an emergency vet visit is a legitimate reason to miss work. If your workplace isn’t there yet, you might need to disguise this as a “migraine” or “not feeling well” instead. Mental health days are legitimate, even if some dinosaur bosses don’t think so. Or maybe you just need a mental health day before you lose your mind in another pointless meeting.
Avoidable Last-Minute Requests
There’s an unexpected school closure for your child.Parenting demands flexibility—especially when schools close with little notice. You’re moving into a new home or facing housing issues.Emergencies like a burst pipe, eviction, or essential move can’t be postponed. You’re helping a family member in crisis.Emergencies don’t always involve health—financial, emotional, or legal crises count too.
- The need for home repairs, such as fixing a leak or dealing with an emergency, can come up without warning.
- Many people dread it and would actually rather go to work.
- Sometimes donating blood can cause lightheadedness which may cause a situation that is not safe for you to work.
- FMLA also protects employees so they can take leave if they themselves have a serious health condition.
- How you call out of work matters just as much—sometimes even more.
You were recently in a car accident.Even minor collisions require medical checks or emotional recovery time. You have food poisoning symptoms like vomiting or diarrhea.These are non-negotiable and require immediate isolation and recovery. You’re supporting a partner through a health issue.Caregiving responsibilities are often shared and unavoidable. Severe menstrual cramps or related symptoms.For many, these can be debilitating and deserve the same respect as any other health issue. Some situations require quick action, while others can be planned in advance. And how you communicate with your employer can make all the difference.
Daycare
Fortunately, things can improve fast, allowing you to return to work the next day. Severe weather conditions can make travel unsafe and may require employees to stay home. Remember, it’s always important to prioritize your safety and wellbeing above all else. If your boss has kids, they’ll most likely understand the complications of daycare.
- As we all know, we can’t control what life throws at us.
- Forgetting you had a shift is surely not one of the good excuses to miss work on short notice.
- Don’t be afraid to use this as a reason for calling off work.
- Be sure to inform your manager in advance and provide a doctor’s note if required.
- Your employer should give you the necessary time off to fulfill your civic duty.
Maybe you have a class reunion, your child is doing a music performance, or you have a big family event. Each of those examples and more are good excuses for missing some work. As long as you provide plenty of advance notice, most employers won’t mind that you miss a little work.
Don’t Overshare
This is another one that most people won’t ask questions about. Similar to taking care of a sick child, family emergencies can cover anything from helping a parent or taking care of any family member. These don’t cover every job or every situation—but they do apply in many cases. If you’re taking a mental health day or just exhausted, say it plainly. You don’t have to pretend to be sick if you’re burned out.
But it would be best if you did that around your existing work schedule. Use lunch breaks, days off, and other accrued PTO to complete those interviews. Finally, try to avoid making it a regular thing to call off work. You can experience rough patches and occasional unavoidable emergencies. But when these issues become too frequent, people start to ask questions.
I was in the parking lot unloading my stuff and I ripped a giant hole in the crotch of my pants. Considering 44% of households have a dog and 26% have a cat (AVMA), I’d say this is a good excuse to get out of work. If your boss has pets, they’re more likely to understand a pet emergency.