For instance, you might text your co-worker and say, “Hey Chris, I won’t be in today. Could you sign off on the accounting report that Steph will be sending over later?” If you explain to your co-worker why you aren’t coming in, make sure it’s the same excuse you give your boss in case they talk about it later. Finding someone to cover your shift is often required if you work in the service industry.
For instance, your employer may require that you call out at least 3 hours before your shift. Your company’s attendance policy may also dictate how often you’re allowed to miss work.
Start your call or email by saying something like, “Hi Derek, I won’t be able to make it in to work today. ” If you already communicate with your bosses primarily through text or email, then it’s probably fine to excuse yourself from work that way. However, if your boss rarely checks their email, it’s probably not a good idea use an email to call out, since they may not see it before your shift starts. [4] X Research source
Try saying, “I’m sorry, but something came up that I have to take care of," for instance.
Say something like, “I am in the middle of filing a big project. If you want someone to keep working on that, the paperwork is sitting on my desk. ”
For example, you might say something like, “I should be back to work tomorrow morning, but I’ll let you know if that changes. ”
You could close an email by saying, “I’m sorry for any inconvenience my absence causes,” for example, or end a phone message with, “Sorry for the inconvenience. ”
Keep in mind that you may be protected under the Americans With Disabilities Act if you have an ADA-protected condition and have disclosed this disability to your employer previously.
For example, you might say something like, “I’ve got a bad cold. ” Or, you might say, “I’m nauseous and dehydrated. ” Leave out any details that are too personal, such as that you have diarrhea, menstrual cramps, or tons of mucus. If you’re planning on being out and about during the day, avoid using illness as an excuse for missing work, just in case you accidentally bump into a co-worker or client who might mention seeing you.
For example, you might say something like, “I have a doctor’s appointment this Friday at 2:00 pm, so I won’t be in that day. ” Or you might say, “I have a doctor’s appointment with a specialist on Thursday and the doctor’s office is about 2 hours away, so I won’t be able to come in to work. ” In some cases, your employer may require you to provide a written doctor’s note to prove you were really there. If this is the case, only use this excuse when you really do have an appointment. You may still be able to leverage a short appointment into a whole day off!
For example, you might say something like, “My water heater is broken and I’m waiting for the plumber to arrive. I have to be at home while he’s working on it. ” Or, you might say something like, “My basement flooded and I am draining it, but it will take a few hours. ”
You could also say something like, “My new stove is being delivered on Monday, but they said it could be any time between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm. ”
For instance, you might say, “I’m sorry for the short notice, but I’ve been feeling really stressed and I need to take a mental health day. I’ll still be available to check emails if anything really important comes up though, and I’m expecting to be in the office tomorrow. "
For example, you might say something like, “My daughter is sick and I need to stay home and take care of her. If you plan to take leave due to a family emergency, you’ll likely need to provide legitimate documentation regarding the circumstances of your leave. However, for a single day, you likely won’t be asked for this. Keep in mind that some people might not appreciate being given an imaginary illness just so you can miss work. Also, don’t use this as an excuse if there’s any chance that someone from your work may know the person in question, since it may come out later that they were never sick.
For instance, don’t tell your boss that you broke your leg. When you return to work and your leg is fine, they’ll know that you lied, and your reputation at work will be damaged. Avoid making excuses about your vehicle. Your boss may simply ask you to call an Uber to get to work, or they may tell you that a co-worker can pick you up. Never make up a claim that someone has died as a way to excuse yourself. This is likely to backfire, especially if someone discovers later that the person is really still living.
