In some circumstances, you could be eligible for extended leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act . FMLA also protects employees so they can take leave if they themselves have a serious health condition. The law also requires employee health benefits to be maintained during the leave. Many employers now consider mental health days as entirely valid reasons to take some time off.

• Even though some employees may consider work as a productive distraction during this time, your work performance may not be at par with your company’s standards.
• If the weather is severe enough to close roads, schools, and businesses, it’s okay to call in sick.
• It would be very prying for someone to request your kid’s medical records.
• Try to estimate how much time you need and be sure to update your supervisor if things change.
• Whether you’re actively paying tuition or not, it costs money to go to school.

The report stopped short of saying more employees are actually calling off from work than in years past. It’s best to take a personal day if you need time off when you are not ill. Let your boss know about your illness as soon as possible. If you are feeling ill the night before and know you won’t make it in to work, you can send your boss a message that evening. Otherwise, tell your boss first thing in the morning. It’s important to choose the right method for contacting your boss.

You’re Experiencing Bad Weather

This will prevent any information from getting back to your boss. It is easier to convince your boss you are really sick when you pick a random workday. However, if you pick a Monday or Friday , your boss might be suspicious that you are simply trying to extend your weekend. If you don’t care which day you take off, you might try a day between Tuesday and Thursday.

Consider when other people are likely to request days off as well as your job’s busy season. And then do your best to avoid taking too many days off during those times. Although there’s no federal law requiring that every job grants you vacation reasons to call out of work time, chances are your employee handbook maps out how and when you can step away. While this isn’t always a solid option for calling into work last minute, some companies do understand that employees may need the occasional mental health day.

Top 10 Good Excuses to Miss Work on Short Notice

Telling your boss you have an upset stomach or temperature as high as a hot oven will be sufficient and believable. It’s a bit lame but definitely believable reason to stay home. Some days may be too stressful to handle work efficiently. For employees working remotely, the added stress of juggling work and household chores may take its toll on their mental health. So, if you are feeling overwhelmed because of all the work and household responsibilities; taking a mental health day is a good excuse to miss work.

• But if you think you can use the following reasons to call off work, think again.
• Good management understands that employees have lives and other obligations.
• If you are an in-office worker, offer to work from home.
• Employers don’t want to find themselves with an epidemic of illness spreading through the workplace because this seriously affects operations and productivity.
• You might actually be looking for a new job but telling this to your boss as a reason for not coming to work might not be the smartest of ideas.
• But, some workplaces just aren’t as flexible on what you can do, even if they offer you a certain amount of time off.
• Explain to your employer that it is a sudden and true emergency.