Deciding whether to call out of work can be a difficult choice, often causing anxiety about falling behind or letting down the team. This choice is not just about managing your workload; it’s about recognizing that personal health is a prerequisite for professional effectiveness. Navigating this requires an honest assessment of your physical and mental state.
Obvious Signs You Should Stay Home
Certain physical symptoms are clear indicators that you should not go to work. A fever over 100.4°F (38°C) means your body is fighting an infection and needs rest. You should stay home until you have been fever-free for 24 hours without using fever-reducing medications to ensure you are no longer contagious.
Other symptoms of a contagious illness are also a reason to stay home. This includes persistent coughing, sneezing, vomiting, or diarrhea, which can easily spread viruses to colleagues. These symptoms also make it physically difficult to be productive and can lead to complications like dehydration.
Pain and functional impairment are also important considerations. A severe headache or migraine can make it impossible to concentrate. A physical injury or side effects from medication, like dizziness, can make your job unsafe for you or others, while flare-ups from chronic conditions also require rest.
Considering Your Mental Health
Taking time off for mental health is as valid as staying home for a physical illness. Signs you may need a mental health day include overwhelming stress, anxiety, or burnout that hinder your ability to function at work. Difficulty concentrating, unusual irritability, or losing motivation for tasks you enjoy are signals that you need to recharge.
A mental health day is a strategic break focused on reducing stress and restoring emotional balance. Ignoring these signs can lead to decreased performance and, in some cases, physical symptoms like stress-induced headaches. Addressing your mental health proactively is an investment in your long-term productivity and well-being.
Handling Personal and Family Emergencies
Urgent family matters are valid reasons for an unplanned absence. You may need to care for a sick child, partner, or parent who is unwell or has had an accident. These unpredictable circumstances demand your presence.
Other personal emergencies can also make it impossible to go to work. These include a sudden household issue, like a burst pipe, or a family crisis, such as a car accident involving a loved one. These situations take precedence over professional duties.
In these moments, your focus is needed elsewhere, and employers should understand these are legitimate reasons to be away. The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) in the U.S. provides job-protected leave for certain family and medical reasons. Communicating the situation promptly and professionally is key.
How to Professionally Communicate Your Absence
Before contacting anyone, review your company’s sick leave policy. This will tell you the expected procedure, such as who to notify and the preferred method of communication. Following the established protocol shows responsibility.
Notify your manager as soon as you know you won’t be coming in. An early message allows your team to plan for your absence and reassign any urgent tasks. A direct phone call may be preferred for last-minute situations, while an email provides a written record. Use a clear subject line, such as “[Your Name] – Out Sick.”
Keep your message brief. State that you are unable to come to work because you are unwell and, if you know, mention your expected return date. You do not need to provide extensive details about your illness or personal emergency. Simply saying you’re not well enough to work is sufficient. If applicable, mention who will cover your urgent tasks.
Managing Guilt and Workplace Pressure
It is common to feel guilty when taking a sick day, often driven by a fear of falling behind or burdening colleagues. However, using your earned sick time is a necessary part of maintaining your health. Pushing yourself to work while ill, a phenomenon known as “presenteeism,” is counterproductive. It can lead to a longer recovery time, a higher likelihood of making mistakes, and the risk of spreading your illness to others.
The pressure to be constantly available, especially in remote work environments, has made it harder for some to draw a clear line between being sick and being able to work. This culture of “digital presenteeism” can lead employees to work from their beds, which prevents true rest and recovery.
Prioritizing your recovery is beneficial for both you and your employer. Taking the time you need to get well ensures that when you return to work, you are focused, productive, and not contagious. Remember that sick leave is part of your compensation and a tool to support your well-being, not a benefit you should feel hesitant to use.