Telling your Boss you’re sick can be a nightmare for some people. So, it’s best to be prepared in order to be convincing when you call in! When deciding how to call in sick, take the context into consideration.
Your workplace might have rules for how to call in sick, which should be adhered to. Typically you are expected to text or email.
Structure your message like this:
01Greeting.
02Explain a bit why you’re not feeling well.
03Apologize for the inconvenience caused.
04Indicate how many days’ sick leave is needed.
05Conclusion and final greeting.
How to call in sick and cancel or reschedule an appointment
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01Dear Dave,
I’m so sorry I won’t be able to make our meeting today. I seem to have come down with a cold. Since I don’t want to spread any germs, I’m going to need to take today and tomorrow off. Hopefully, I’ll get it under control and be back at work on Friday.
As soon as I’m back, I’ll give you a call to reschedule the meeting. I’m sorry for any inconvenience caused.
Regards,
Steve Danforth
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02Dear Mr. Smith,
Please accept my apologies for being unable to keep our appointment this afternoon. I’m not feeling well due to my diabetes and need to get to the doctor. I’m not sure how long it will take to get the problem under control but will keep you informed.
Please let me know if we can reschedule the appointment for next week. By then, I’m sure I’ll be back up and about. I look forward to hearing from your office.
Kind regards,
Ellen Edwards
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03Dear Mr. Abrahams,
I’m not feeling well and won’t be able to attend this afternoon’s meeting. I’d really hoped we could meet today to discuss the progress on the court case. However, I don’t think I’d be much help anyway, since I’m very under the weather.
I’ll contact your office as soon as I am able, and I hope we can find a mutually agreeable time to meet in the near future.
How to call in sick and explain you’re unable to accept an invitation
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04Dear Irene,
Please thank Mr. Jacobs for his kind invitation to attend the Chamber of Commerce dinner this evening. Unfortunately, I’m not feeling well, and I need to see the doctor. I don’t think it would be wise for me to attend, as I don’t want to pass my germs onto the other members!
I’d appreciate it if you could convey my apologies onto Mr. Jacobs and tell him I hope to see him at the next get-together.
Thanks very much for inviting me to your birthday lunch with the rest of the team. I regret to say that I won’t be able to attend as I seem to have caught the stomach bug that was doing the rounds in the office last week.
I hope you’ll understand and accept my apology for being unable to make it. I hope you have a wonderful time, and I’ll see you when I return to the office in a day or two.
Best wishes,
Allan Grey
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06Dear Estelle,
Thank you for extending an invitation to me for the annual office awards ceremony. I was so excited to attend, but I’m not feeling well and won’t be able to come. I’m sorry for any inconvenience I’ve caused having already RSVP’d confirming my attendance.
I regret missing the opportunity to experience and enjoy a group event, but I trust that you’ll understand that if I could be there, I would.
How to call in sick and explain your absence from class (students and adults)
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07Dear Mr. Stephens,
Please accept my sincerest apology for being unable to attend today’s history tutorial. I seem to have caught the flu, and my doctor has recommended a week’s rest as part of my recovery. Although I won’t be able to attend the session, I’d appreciate it if you could forward any handouts or notes to me.
I wanted to ask, will there be another such tutorial. If so, please forward the date, time, and venue to me so that I can plan to attend.
Our son, Ryan Davis, attends your mathematics class. He has recently complained of not feeling well, so we took him to the doctor and we’ve received terrible news. Ryan requires urgent surgery to address a serious heart condition.
We realize that this means he will not be able to sit for the exam this semester. Please provide us with guidance on how best to proceed from here to make sure Ryan’s progress is not disrupted by his illness.
Sincere regards,
Adam and Betty Davis
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09Dear Dr. Dunn,
I am unable to attend the lecture you are giving tomorrow, as I am not feeling well. My doctor has advised a few days of rest to recover from a recent bacterial infection. I’ve made arrangements with a classmate to get her notes from the lecture so that I can keep up to date.
Should there be any other material I need, please give it to Marci Andrews, my classmate.
Kind regards,
Christopher Williams
How to call in sick at work when you’re really not feeling well
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10Dear Maggie,
I was hoping I had taken enough precautions this year, but unfortunately my dust allergy has caused a severe case of sinusitis. I’m going to have to see my doctor today to get a prescription For allergy medication. I can’t give you an exact date of my return to work at this stage, but I don’t think it will be more than two days. As soon as I’ve seen my doctor and he’s given me a sick note, I’ll be in touch.
I know this couldn’t have come at a worse time as the end of the financial year approaches. Please accept my sincerest apologies.
I am unable to come to work today as I’m not feeling well at all. I went to see my doctor after work yesterday afternoon, and he is worried about my blood pressure. He prescribed some new medication but wants me to rest while he determines if it’s going to work.
I’m sorry for any inconvenience caused and will keep you updated as to when I will be able to return to work.
Regards,
Paul Masters
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12Dear Miriam,
The flu season is upon us, and it seems to have claimed its first victim! I wasn’t feeling well yesterday, as you saw. Overnight, the problem has grown worse, and I have a high fever. I think it’s best I see the doctor ASAP, so we can get to the bottom of what’s wrong, and I can start taking the necessary medication.
If there’s anything urgent, feel free to email me. I’ll let you know what my doctor has to say about how long I need to stay home.
Regards,
Susan
How to call in sick at work when you really want a day off work
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13Dear Ellen
I’ve woken up this morning with a terrible stomach ache. I’m not sure what’s wrong, but I am incredibly nauseous. It might be a 24-hour bug like the one Dave had last week. I’ve taken some medication and hope to feel better later today. I’m quite sure I’ll be as right as rain tomorrow.
I’ll make sure to update you if I do not think I will make it tomorrow. I’m sorry for any inconvenience.
I’ve had a fit of hay fever due to my grass allergy. My antihistamine makes me very drowsy, and while I usually take it at night, my doctor advised me to use it straight away after a severe attack. I’ve taken one this morning and am already feeling the effects.
After a dose of my medication, I’m usually fine and I should be back tomorrow.
Please accept my apologies.
Regards,
Alice
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15Dear Mr. George,
I have woken up with a terrible headache which I’m sure could be categorized as a migraine. I’ve had to take some strong painkillers and will need to sleep. I’m sure I will be ready to get back at it tomorrow.
Should my headache persist, I’ll have to see my doctor. I don’t think it will come to that, but I’ll keep you updated. I’m sorry it happened on a Friday which is the store’s busiest day of the week.
