Calling sick
None of this is expert advice. It's what people worked out for themselves, usually the hard way — what actually helped, and what they'd tell someone standing where you are. Take what fits and leave the rest.
If you only read a few
Stay home if you are contagious to avoid getting everyone else sick.
Coming in to be 'tough' makes you a jerk.
2 people, independently
Do not tell coworkers 'I thought you quit' after they return from a short absence.
It is rude.
one person who lived it
Stay home when sick, as it is cheaper than working through illness.
It's cheaper.
one person who lived it
- Stay home when sick to avoid infecting coworkers and reducing workplace productivity.4
If you must come to work while sick, wear a mask, wash your hands frequently, and notify your employer of your symptoms beforehand.
These steps help cut down on the spread of germs when staying home is not an option.
one person who lived it
Take your entitled sick days without guilt.
They are part of your compensation package.
one person who lived it
Avoid telling sick colleagues they are lucky to be off work, as illness is often painful and miserable rather than a convenient break.
Being sick can make people crabby and angry; it is best not to risk offending them.
- This advice may apply more to casual acquaintances than close contacts.
one person who lived it
Rest at home and drink plenty of fluids when sick to recover faster.
Not resting at home prolongs recovery; resting and fluids help return to normal faster.
one person who lived it
Do not contact coworkers who have called in sick.
They need rest and privacy; it is not your business to ask where they are.
one person who lived it
Notify only your direct boss about sick leave unless you are close friends with colleagues.
It is not your coworkers' business, though failing to tell them may cause anger if they were concerned.
- Colleagues may become angry if they expected notification.
one person who lived it
17 more on this
Lie on your back with your head hanging off the edge of the bed to sound congested when calling in sick.
- Some people believe work has no reason to know how sick days are used and do not care how they sound.
5 people, independently
Avoid using 'contagious' as an excuse if your employer requires a doctor's note for clearance.
This may lead to requests for documentation or force you to take several days off.
one person who lived it
Do not use vacation days for illness; keep them separate to preserve breaks away.
Employees need their breaks away and cannot help occasionally getting sick.
one person who lived it
Consider using telemedicine for colds or flu as it is cheaper and avoids office visits, but verify your company allows it first.
Telemedicine offers the same results at a lower cost.
- Not all companies allow telemedicine notes; one person reported being fired for using one.
one person who lived it
Seek jobs with lenient sick leave policies or unlimited PTO to avoid stress over calling out, as higher-paying roles often allow simple notifications instead of extensive documentation.
Low-paying jobs often require strict documentation, while higher-paying jobs are more lenient.
2 people, independently
Get a doctor's note to support your absence and ask for accommodations while healing.
It may ease your mind regarding disciplinary concerns.
one person who lived it
Call out sick rather than showing up, as managers prefer this to managing underperformance or illness spread.
Showing up while sick risks spreading illness to team members and leads to underperformance and mistakes.
one person who lived it
Claim food poisoning as your reason for being sick, as it is rarely questioned and allows for flexible recovery time without needing a doctor's note.
You won't be questioned when you return, but you can say it's still hitting hard if you need another day off.
one person who lived it
Recognize that understaffing is a management cost-saving decision, not your failure, and do not feel guilty for calling in sick.
Management has no incentive to hire beyond a skeleton crew unless revenue drops.
one person who lived it
Provide a tentative timeline for your return when calling out sick, such as stating you hope to return tomorrow unless you contact otherwise.
This prevents receiving wake-up calls if you are sleeping.
one person who lived it
Keep sick leave messages brief and factual to avoid giving managers material for guilt trips.
Offering less information prevents management from using power attempts or guilt against you.
one person who lived it
Document all communications regarding absences via email or text to create a verifiable record.
Written records can be proven later.
one person who lived it
Recognize that severe congestion from seasonal allergies is likely not contagious.
Allergic reactions cannot be caught by others, even if symptoms mimic illness.
one person who lived it
Leave companies that aggressively punish employees for minor absences, even with doctor's notes.
Such policies indicate a toxic culture.
one person who lived it
Avoid lying unnecessarily or rambling when calling out; stick to the facts and keep explanations vague if you are simply taking a personal day.
Embellishing and giving long explanations allows listeners to see through the BS immediately.
one person who lived it
Treat employees with value rather than as disposable resources to avoid receiving only minimal effort in return.
one person who lived it
One person reported dragging themselves into work visibly sick and disruptive until sent home, which led to a policy modification allowing four sick days without a note.
one person who lived it