No matter how passionate and dedicated you are about your work, there will be occasions when you have to miss work for various personal reasons. Even employers understand that their employees sometimes need a day off to address their issues.
Most employers do not believe in being overly stringent, and thus, allow their employees to take leaves whenever they require.
And yet, taking time off repeatedly will disturb the company’s daily schedule. If an employee takes too many leaves, it can disrupt the flow of work and can also set a bad example for other employees.
Hence, it would be best to be careful about how many leaves you take and always provide a valid reason for missing work. While many workplaces require that you inform them in writing, many employers are not okay if you send them a text that you would be missing work on a given day.
Even though you are texting your employer, you should be respectful while doing so. Here is how you can send the perfect message to call out of work by text.
Bonus Read: What Are Some Good Excuses to Leave Work Early?
Reasons Due to Which You May Need to Call Out of Work
You may have to call out of work for multiple reasons. However, telling your employer that you will be missing work because you want to see a movie or attend a picnic can be unprofessional. Here are some acceptable reasons for calling out of work.
1. Medical Reasons
You can call out of work for medical reasons. Stating that you are unwell for reasons such as a severe headache, fever, stomach flu, or dental problem is perfectly acceptable. You might be sick, or you could cite a similar reason if you have to miss work.
Employers want their employees to be in peak health so that they can perform well at work, so they don’t begrudge their employees if they are going to address their health. You could also say you have a doctor’s consultation to resolve physical or mental health problems.
With illnesses like the flu, most employers do not want to take a chance since it can be infectious and affect the other employees.
Bonus Read: How to Write a Sick Day Email? {Example Templates and Tips}
2. Sudden Emergency
Emergencies can arise anytime, and you are expected to address them so that matters do not entirely spin out of control and become worse than ever. There could be medical emergencies when someone at home needs medical attention.
Or, you could have to address a financial emergency and look into money matters. A family member or close relative may have passed away, or your property may have been harmed. You can text your employers and notify them about the reason for calling out of work.
3. Personal Reasons
There could be several personal reasons which you might have to miss work. You might have to attend your child’s PTM or have a significant family function that you cannot miss.
You might want to recharge and tend to your interests or rest at home. On such occasions, you can state that you are unwell and need to care for yourself and will require a day off.
No matter your reasons, you should always respect your company’s policy regarding leaves and holidays. Not being mindful of the rules can result in pay cuts. You can approach the HR team for details if you are unsure.
Tips to Call Out of Work by Text
While sending a text message might seem like an easy thing to do, you still need to keep a few things in mind to make the process easier and to keep things professional.
1. Be Brief
Keep it brief while texting your employer. Start with a ‘good morning’, and state that you will be missing work and state your reason.
Do not go into lengthy details over the text. Your employer will seek further clarification if they require it when you return.
2. Be Courteous
Once you have stated your reason for missing work, tell your employer that it would be most considerate of them if they allowed you to take the day off. If you are mindful of your leave policies and do not have any major work pending, your employers will most likely grant your request.
Also Read: How To Politely Ask to Leave Work Early?
3. Tell Them You will Pick up the Slack
Telling your employer that you will pick up the slack when you get back to work is a good way of telling them that you are mindful of your responsibilities. And when you get back, work harder and make up for the missing work.
When your employer notices that you do not let your work suffer even when you miss a day, they will be more accommodating the next time.
4. Inform in Advance
If you already know you will have a reason to miss work in a few days, you should inform your employers as soon as possible.
Your boss might have some work lined up for you while designating some tasks. So informing them at the last moment can disrupt the entire schedule.
They might not even allow you to miss work. Hence, be prompt intimation will not have trouble scheduling the tasks.
5. Offer Solutions
Being aware of your responsibilities, you will already know what problems may arise if you call out of work for a day or two.
And to make things going easy, you can offer solutions to your employers by informing them that you have already asked a colleague to fill in for you.
You may inform that you have already completed a chunk of the task. And before leaving, you will accomplish the rest by working from home.
If your employers see you on top of your tasks, they wouldn’t mind if you took a day or two off.
Most Common Reasons for Sick Leaves
Employees take sick leave for many reasons. Here are some most common reasons for sick leaves:
| No. | Reasons for Sick Leave | Percentage |
| 1 | Minor Illnesses | 26.1% |
| 2 | Musculoskeletal Related | 15.4% |
| 3 | Mental Health Conditions | 11.6% |
| 4 | Gastrointestinal Related | 5.4% |
| 5 | Headaches and migraines | 4.9% |
| 6 | Respiratory Related | 4.4% |
| 7 | Genito-urinary Related | 3.1% |
| 8 | Eye/nose/mouth/dental Related | 3.1% |
| 9 | Others | 17.1% |
| 10 | Heart blood pressure circulation Related | 2.7% |
Examples of How to Call Out of Work by Text
Here are some examples of messages that you can send your employer if you want to call out of work by text. You can personalize the text according to your situation.
Example 1
Good morning, Sir
I hope you are well. I am texting to inform you that I will be missing work today as I have to attend to a sudden medical emergency at home. I will ensure I complete all my tasks scheduled for today by coming in early tomorrow. I would be grateful to you for allowing me to take the day off.
Thanks
(Your name)
Example 2
Hello Steve,
I hope you are having a good day. I won’t be able to come to work today as I have to attend my child’s PTM at school. I have already completed half of today’s tasks by staying late yesterday night, and I’ll finish the rest on returning. It would be most appreciated if you allowed me to take the day off.
Thanks
(Your name)
Example 3
Hi Stephanie,
Good day to you. I am texting to inform you that I will be absent from work today. My electricity supply has been cut off. It must be some mistake. But I need to look into it personally and visit the community utility office. I won’t be able to come in the first half, but I will pick up the slack in the second half. I hope you understand.
Thank you
(Your name)
Example 4
Good morning, Sir
I hope you are well. I am texting to inform you that I will not be able to come to work on Thursday as I have to accompany my aged mother to the hospital for her first round of treatment. However, I have already asked Smith to cover for me for the day, so there won’t be any problems with the daily schedule. It would be kind of you to grant me permission.
Thank you
(Your name)
Example 5
Hi Chandler
I am texting to inform you that I won’t be able to come in for work today. My wife was in an accident while driving to work. Although the injuries are not severe, I would like to stay by her for the day. I have asked Jackson to cover for me today, and I will compensate for any remaining work by coming in early tomorrow. I would appreciate your support at this time.
Thanks
(Your name)
Example 6
Hi Amanda
I hope you are well. I am texting to inform you that I won’t come in for work for the next two days. While everything has been great, the growing pressures at work and home have been taking a toll on me lately. I need some rest and want to work on my mental health. I hope you will understand my concern. I have asked Mary to cover for me for two days so you won’t face any problems.
Thanks
(Your name)
Example 7
Hi Jackson
I hope you are having a good day. My wife is in another city due to work, and the babysitter is absent. I have to stay with my kids for the day. Hence, I won’t be able to come to work at the office. However, I will work from home today and be available for calls. I hope you understand.
Thanks
(Your name)
Example 8
Good morning, Ma’am
I hope you are having a wonderful day. I am texting to inform you that I am stuck on my way to the office as my car suddenly broke down in the middle of the road. I just had it towed to the garage. The transport system is not good in this region, and I will not be able to travel. Hence, I will miss work today. However, the car will get fixed by tonight, and I will compensate for the missed hours during the rest of the week. I apologize for the inconvenience.
Thanks
(Your name)
Conclusion
While it is a policy with most companies that you must inform your employers in writing when you have to take leave from work, some employers are flexible and allow you to text. It could be because they don’t take calls over work hours or do not check emails.
However, it is still polite and professional to meet them in person once you are back and thank them personally for allowing you to take the day off. At this point, your boss may ask you questions about specific details, and you should be prepared to respond.
Texting is undoubtedly one of the easiest and most efficient ways of communicating during an emergency. Still, maintaining the protocols can be an excellent way to call out of work at certain times.
