We all love our jobs, because how else will we pay bills? But on some mornings, the alarm goes off, and you just know today isn’t going to happen. Perhaps you tucked in late the previous night, and your body has said no! Or maybe you are burnt-out and need time to yourself.
Whatever the reason, you need to explain it to your boss. And if you get it wrong, you risk coming off as lazy or trying to dodge responsibilities.
Luckily, there are plenty of bulletproof excuses you can use without burning bridges or sounding like you’re making stuff up. Excuses your boss will understand and likely relate to.
1. You are Actually Sick
This is the most common and also most valid reason for calling out. You are genuinely not well. Colds, migraines, the flu, food poisoning, and stomach bugs happen. When your body is out of commission, it’s not just okay to stay at home, it’s responsible.
If you show up, you’ll end up slowing down your team, or worse, if your illness is contagious, risking your co-workers’ health. Even in remote settings, pushing through an illness often means doing mediocre work. And who wants that?
The responsible course of action is to stay at home, fully recover, and only return when you are functional again.
You don’t have to go into medical detail when calling in. A simple message like this should suffice:
Hi boss, I’m not feeling well today and won’t be able to make it to work. Thanks for understanding.
2. Contagious But Not “Sick Sick”
At times, you feel fine-ish. You are not bedridden with a fever, but you have a scratchy throat and your nose won’t stop running. You are contagious with illnesses like pink eye, the flu, or even COVID.
You are not completely knocked out, but being around co-workers and customers puts you at risk. So, you are better off staying at home. You can shoot your boss something like:
“I’m dealing with something that’s likely contagious, so I’m staying home today to avoid spreading it. I don’t feel too bad, but I’d rather not risk anyone else getting sick. I’ll check back in tomorrow.”
Also Read: 10 Legit Excuses to Cancel Plans Last Minute
3. Burnt-Out
Even (and especially) the best workers crash out. You’ve been pushing too hard at work– showing up early, jumping in to help others, staying late– and now all that is taking a toll on your body.
You are physically drained and emotionally on the edge. Looking at work now makes you sick. Burnout is real and is a valid reason for missing out on work. It is your brain asking for a break before it breaks you.
You are not weak for wanting to take a breather. Even a good boss won’t want to lose their best worker to exhaustion.
What do you say? Try something like:
Hi boss, I’ve been feeling extremely drained and overwhelmed lately, and I think I need to take the day off to mentally reset. I want to return with a clearer head and more focus.
4. That Time of the Month
As a man, I’ll never experience cramps (the menstrual ones). But I know it feels something like a small war happening in your lower body. I’ve seen ladies genuinely crash out from them. I can only empathize.
If your boss is a guy like me, chances are he won’t ask follow-up questions. He’s got no clue about it, and would gladly accept the excuse rather than dive into ‘lady business.’
A simple message like this should work:
Hey boss, I’m dealing with really painful period symptoms today and won’t be able to work. I’ll check in tomorrow if I’m feeling better. Thank you.
5. Doctor’s Appointment
You’ve been waiting three months to get an appointment with your dentist or gynecologist. And now that you’ve got it, you are not letting it go. Taking care of your health is non-negotiable, which makes doctor’s appointments one of the most acceptable reasons to miss work.
Most appointments are normally scheduled in advance and are often hard to reschedule. Your boss probably has a few of their own penciled into their calendar, too. And not just physical health, but also therapy, follow-ups, lab work, and anything health-related.
Here’s how you can word it:
Hi boss, I have a medical appointment today that I can’t miss. I’ll be out for the day, but will catch up on anything urgent tomorrow. Thanks for your understanding.
6. Family Emergency
Life happens, and occasionally, emergencies interrupt our days. Your kid’s school calls or your partner spikes a sudden fever. When someone in your circle is in trouble, it’s completely valid to shift your focus to them.
Such times require you to show up for your loved one. Work can’t be a priority at the moment, and any decent employer will get that.
Keep it simple when notifying your boss. You don’t need to overshare. You can say something like:
Hello, there’s been a family emergency I need to deal with immediately, and I won’t be able to work today. I’ll update you as soon as I can. Appreciate your understanding.”
7. Car Trouble
Some days, you intend to show up for work. You are dressed, ready to leave, and then your car decides to throw a tantrum. It won’t start, or smoke is coming out of somewhere it shouldn’t. Whatever the issue, it’s made itself very clear that you are not going anywhere.
Yes, you can Uber to work, but you’ll eventually have to deal with the issue. So, you might as well get it over and done with. And since tow trucks and mechanics take forever to do their work, you’ll most likely miss work.
Reach out to your boss and say something like:
Hey boss, I’m having unexpected car trouble this morning and may not be able to make it in today. I’ll keep you updated if things change.
8. Legal Duties
Today you are showing up, not at the office, but in court. Legal obligations like a court hearing or jury duty are one of the non-negotiables you can’t postpone because of work.
Your employer will likely respect legal commitments, since they are legally protected in many areas. But even outside that, provided you gave an early notice and communicated clearly, it’s a legit reason to call out.
Send your boss a message telling them:
Hi boss, remember that court-related matter I told you about, well, it’s today and I’ll be attending. I won’t be available for work but may check in afterward if it ends early.
9. Bad Weather
When it rains, all you want to do is be under the sheets with a cup of warm cocoa, watching The Office. It’s one of those simple pleasures we rarely appreciate as working adults.
Nobody wants to be out when the weather is bad. Travel becomes unsafe, and you risk catching the flu. The problem is, your boss may not realize how bad it is if they live in a different town or city. It might be sunny where they are and absolute chaos where you are.
In such cases, it will be helpful to be clear:
Hi boss, the weather here isn’t looking that good. Roads are flooded, and conditions aren’t safe for travel. I’m going to stay home and keep you posted if things improve later in the day.
10. Major Life Event
Some life events you just can’t miss, even if it means calling out of work. Maybe your kid is graduating or your wife is giving birth. These are days that will create memories for the rest of your life.
While work is important, being there for your loved ones matters the most.
A clear message may sound like:
Hi boss, today’s a big day for my family, my partner’s in labor, and I need to be fully present. I’ll be offline and will catch up on any updates when I return. Thanks for your support.
Take the Time When You Need It
Life won’t always turn out how we intended. Emergencies and health issues show up unannounced. And while it may feel uncomfortable to ask for time off, you have every right to step away when you genuinely need to.
That said, whenever possible, try to give your boss a heads-up, days or even weeks in advance. Prompt communication is a social etiquette and goes a long way. It allows them to have someone fill up for you at work to prevent delays.
