Coronavirus: Why we shouldn't feel guilty about having a sick day when working from home (2023)

FAQs

Should you feel guilty for calling in sick? ›

We need to learn to be vulnerable, and to show that we're not OK – even if our inner critic doesn't like it. But the truth is it's nothing to be ashamed of. Being honest with yourself that you need a break can make you stronger, and healthier, in the long run.

One way that Dr. Zelis recommends avoiding sick-day guilt? By getting a doctor's note. Not only will it give you the peace of mind that a real-life doctor agrees that you deserve to take the day, but it will also show your employer that you're not trying to just skip out on work.

Data has long shown working while sick leads to worse job performance. Research also suggests a link between not taking sick days and an increased risk of depression, while a 2022 study showed that working from home sick made workers feel than if they had just taken the sick day.

You may even feel guilty for asking to take a day off because you have a mentality that “success comes from no rest, I've got to keep showing up.” If this sounds like you, this is your sign to reprioritize your mindset and not feel guilty about taking care of your own body.

It's important to apologize for any inconvenience caused by your absence, as this effectively demonstrates team morale and responsibility. Make sure you end the phone call/email with an appreciative tone and ask if there's anything you can do while you're off.

The survey found that flu is the most widely accepted excuse for staying home, although just about 42 percent of bosses thought it was necessary to do so. Next up were back pains, accident-related injuries, and stress. These are the top 10 reasons for calling in sick, in order from most acceptable to least.

Take a sick day when your physical health inhibits your ability to work effectively. Communicate with your manager via email, phone or text as soon as you feel sick, provide a brief explanation, explain your availability and offer helpful information your team may need to know before leaving or signing off.

Calling in sick from home may follow the same process as an in-office request. Your supervisor or other stipulated workers should be informed. This communication can be made via phone call, text, or email—depending on what your manager has established as preferred methods of communication.

Hi [Your Boss's Name], Unfortunately, I woke up feeling ill and am concerned that if I come into the office, I might get someone sick. I think it's best that I not come into the office today. That said, I can work from home on the projects I have going and respond via email and Slack to any questions the team has.

If you've had cold symptoms for 10 days or fewer and you've been fever-free for 24 hours, you're probably safe to go to work. Keep your tissues, over-the-counter remedies, and hand sanitizer close by, and try to remember that even though you're miserable now, you'll likely feel better in a few days.

Should you feel guilty for taking leaves? ›

Stress and guilt about taking time off work can prevent you from reaping the mental health benefits of vacation days. You can overcome these negative feelings by identifying your cognitive distortions, by reminding yourself that breaks are necessary, and by doing what makes you uncomfortable (desensitization).

Taking leave is an essential component to assuring your working life and personal life remain in harmonious balance. Working yourself down to a fine powder and mechanically pressing ahead even if your body and soul scream at you will ultimately benefit no one.

“I'm here if you need any advice.” “I'm here, let me know you need help with errands or fixing up dinner one night.” “I'm here if you need a space to express your frustrations free of judgment.” “I'm here, let me know if I can do some research for you/help you find a new doctor/therapist.”

The next time you wake up ill, the best practice is to call in immediately and request a sick day. It is up to you whether you choose to disclose brief details upfront. If your employer asks, you should provide general details, unless your illness is protected by the ADA.

Is it legal for an employer to ask why you are sick? No federal law prohibits employers from asking employees why they are out sick. They are free to ask questions such as when you expect to return to work. They may also require you to furnish proof of your illness, such as a note from a physician.

The best last-minute excuses to miss work include personal illness, family emergency, doctor's appointments, child care, mental health challenges, death of a loved one, and household problems. In fact, any unforeseen circumstance that requires your attention is among the best last-minute excuses to miss work.

The primary reason to use sick days is when you are ill. The reason businesses offer sick days is not only so that you can rest but so that you can avoid infecting others in the office. If you are feeling even a little sick, it's typically okay to take a sick day to be cautious.

Many employers provide paid time off (PTO) for sickness. This should be used if you have it. Bosses typically should not deny your request for sick time off, whether they're happy about it or not. But you may not need to listen to your boss's demands that you work.

What are medical reasons for working home? ›

People who are particularly vulnerable to coronavirus have high blood pressure, chronic lung disease, diabetes, obesity, asthma, and compromised immune systems. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) states that these individuals are entitled to “reasonable accommodations” from their employers.

Illness. If you are persistently off sick, or on long-term sick, your employer should normally look at any alternatives before deciding to dismiss you. For example, they might have to consider whether the job itself is making you sick and needs to be changed. You can still be dismissed if you are off sick.

I'm not feeling well today, I have intense fatigue and I'm feeling very nauseous and feverish. Since I have a fever, I think it might be a good idea to stay home today so I don't expose anyone else to whatever illness I might have.

Reasonable accommodations for anxiety can include remote work, a support animal, a rest area, a modified break schedule, a flexible schedule, and shifts in schedule. The type of anxiety you have, your limitations, and your employer's resources will determine what accommodation is appropriate.

To recover properly. By attending work, you could exacerbate your health problems and later have to take a longer period of sick leave to recover. “It's important to stay home from work when sick with the flu to rest and give yourself the best chance of recovery,” says Dr Hampson.

Most companies will tolerate 1 “sick day” per month, but if you establish a pattern, such as always calling in sick on a Monday or Friday, you are going to be questioned, possibly warned, possibly fired.

What's smartest is to stay home for the worst of the illness-about two to four days for a severe cold and five to seven days for the flu, Saxinger said. "When you're feeling your worst, try not to be out and about; that's when you are most infectious."

Is it okay to call out of work for a mental health day? ›

If you wake up and feel especially stressed, down, or anxious — at a level that impairs your functioning — it's time to consider taking the day off. Of course, sometimes you just feel unexplainably “off.” It's OK to take the day to yourself then, too. Use your personal judgement and listen to your mind and body.

In fact, you should make it a priority to call out of work when you need to — if you have a job that provides PTO. Because you've earned those days. And time off can help with your overall health and productivity (see: burnout). And yet, many people don't use the time off they've earned.

Many professionals have a strong resistance to leaving a job that's not working out. Quitting is hard because it carries an implication that you gave up, did not try hard enough, or were not good enough to make it work.

Anxiety, stress, or depression leave from work may require multiple days off, which is where FMLA may come in handy. This may be enough time to seek more intensive treatment if needed or time to relax and seek support. However, if you are thinking “can I get a sick note for anxiety”, the answer is yes.

You don't always need a good reason to take a personal day. Sometimes you may just need to take a break to recharge, especially if you haven't had a vacation or a day off in a long time.

So exactly how long should you wait before taking time off from your new job? That'll depend on your specific role, your employer, and your industry, among other things — but experts suggest you wait at least three months.

While you don't want to be unreliable in your workplace or call out too often and get the reputation of a slacker, you do want to reserve the right to call in sick. Calling in sick can help spare your co-workers when you have a fever, strep throat, are sneezing, coughing or have an upset stomach or food poisoning.

Don't be afraid to make the call

First and foremost, it's important to understand that you mustn't feel guilty about not feeling well and taking a sick day; we all get sick now and again, regardless of rank or role.

The State of California's Paid Sick Leave Laws

It is illegal for a California employer to terminate your employment if you use sick leave that you have accrued and are entitled to use. If you are fired for using your sick leave, you might be able to file a lawsuit for wrongful termination.

Some of the best last-minute excuses to miss work include feeling sick, having a household problem, or an emergency appointment. Generally, these excuses need to be unpredictable as it's unprofessional to give a reason at the last minute when you would have communicated them to your boss several days before.

What to say when calling in sick working from home? ›

Hi [Your Boss's Name], Unfortunately, I woke up feeling ill and am concerned that if I come into the office, I might get someone sick. I think it's best that I not come into the office today. That said, I can work from home on the projects I have going and respond via email and Slack to any questions the team has.

In most cases, your boss is thinking more about how they're affected, or how your absence affects the business overall. Calling in sick is never easy, whether you're running a company or just starting your career. You likely feel that being out, even for one day, will mean letting someone down.

Many companies use the three-day guideline for sick days, but be sure you don't run afoul of any mandatory sick leave law that your company may be subject to.

Sick leave laws normally come with job protection. This means that an employer cannot retaliate (fire) against you for taking sick leave. This would be wrongful termination.

"If you're working in a state with at-will employees, they can fire you for anything that's not illegal," Augustine says. That means that unless you qualify for legal protections under FMLA or the Americans with Disabilities Act, there is nothing stopping an employer from firing you for calling in sick.

Personal Illness

Personal illness, especially contagious types, are almost always a valid excuse to take off time off from work. Employers don't want to find themselves with an epidemic of illness spreading through the workplace because this seriously affects operations and productivity.

Anytime you need to call out you should give your supervisor as much notice as possible before your shift begins, when possible you should contact your employer at least 2 hours before your shift so that they can plan and prepare for your absence.