Last Updated on September 20, 2024
Calling In Sick Text, Is It Allowed?
Since each company has its policy, what is acceptable in one might not be in another company. For this reason, before taking any action, there are a few things to consider. In other words, you should ask yourself the following questions:Â Â
- What does the employee handbook say about employer-employee communication?Â
- What is the company’s main channel for communication?Â
- What kind of relationship exists between you and your boss outside of work?Â
- Have you ever texted your boss before?Â
The employee handbook can be very useful when it comes to telling you what is and is NOT allowed. If your company uses emails or phone calls to communicate when you are outside of the office, just follow the crowd; do the same. But if they have not decided on that yet, use common sense. If your boss is also your friend, and you communicated with them through text before, then it is totally fine to text in sick. Â
How To Tell Your Boss You Are Sick Over Text
If you have gotten the green light to TEXT in sick, go for it! However, you need to avoid the following:Â
- Inappropriate Abbreviations (“IDK” for “I don’t know”, etc.)Â
- Slang words (“Kinda”, Yep, etc.) Â
- Absence of or bad use of punctuation Â
But rather, your message should reflect your respect for your boss. Write the text as if you were writing an email. Even if your boss and you are friends, this is not a good time to be informal or too friendly. Keep it clean and professional. You should also communicate clearly and be straightforward.
If you don’t get an answer from your boss after texting them, make sure you call. Your boss might have their phone on silent mode, which can prevent him or her from seeing your message right away. He or she might be someone who does NOT walk around with their phone. So, if they are using the bathroom, participating in a meeting, or driving, keep in mind that it can take a few minutes before your boss is able to read your text. Â
What Should You Do If You Can Find Your Boss On The Phone
If you can’t reach your boss, keep trying because you should NEVER ASK ANOTHER EMPLOYEE TO TELL YOUR BOSS THAT YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO MAKE IT TO WORK. You have to do it yourself. Â
Because of all the factors recently mentioned, you need to consider sending your text as soon as you know that you will not be able to go to work that day. Some companies require that you call or text in sick at least two hours in advance. Â
Moreover, you must speak with one of your co-workers to replace you and do for you what you would do that day if you were there. This colleague can either be someone who works a different shift or the same shift as you. To be able to do so, you would have to have everything organized and planned. You should also know where you put the tools you usually use to do your job (if applicable) so you can tell the person who will replace you where to go to find everything they will need to do the job for you.  Â
Make the task easy for your colleague to do by providing them with clear instructions on what to do and how.Â
If you have found a colleague who wants to take over for you while you are gone, remember to include it in the message you are sending to your boss. It is important to tell your boss about that because he or she might have no idea who else in the company could do your job the way you would. You don’t want the company to be less productive because of your absence either. Â
How To Send A Text In Sick Message
When you are thinking about calling in sick text or simply text in sick, you need to think about ethics, policy, and sometimes, relationships. The following are examples of some good and bad text in sick messages along with their context. The parts that make the text inappropriate are in bold. Always remember to check your grammar, as well as your spelling. Â
Good Text In Sick Message For More Than One Day Off
If you are not sure how long will it take you to recover from your discomfort or disease, you may need to leave room in your text for more days. In other words, your text-in message should state your uncertainty about the duration of your problem or state exactly the number of days the disease might last before you fully recover from it. Â
“Dear XY, Â
I have a (cold, fever, headache) today. I need to take the day off so I can rest a little bit. I will come to work tomorrow if I get better. I talked to WZ and I gave him/her instructions on what to do and how. Â
I will keep you updated on how I am doing. If I have to see a doctor, I will make sure I bring you my medical paperwork. Â
Thank you for your understanding,Â
[YOUR NAME]” Â
Good Text In Sick Messages If You’re For One Day Off Only
If you are sure your discomfort will only last one day or less, you don’t need to provide your boss with details about your situation. You just need to be clear and brief. Your message could be as short as the following: Â
“Dear XY, Â
I am not feeling well today. I think it would be better for me to take the day off.” Â
Thank you,Â
[YOUR NAME]” Â
“Dear XY, Â
Due to my unexpected illness, I will not be able to make it to work today. I will be there tomorrow.  Â
Thank you for your understanding,Â
[YOUR NAME]”Â
Please, keep in mind that the quotation marks are not to be included in the text. Â
Inappropriate Text in Sick Messages
It may take more effort to send a calling in sick text in a way that will not harm your reputation or what you stand for as a professional but it is worth it. Â
- “Hey XY, you know what, I can’t make it to work today. I need the day off.”Â
- “Hi XY, I feel ill today, and I think I need to take the day off. Bye!”Â
Always sign out with YOUR NAME. Â
- “Hello XY, I have a (fever, cold, stomachache…) IDK if I can make it to work today.  Thank you, [YOUR NAME]”
- “Hi XY, I am kinda sick now. I can’t make it to work today. I would like to take the day off. Â
Thank you,Â
[YOUR NAME]”Â
Feel free to use your own words if you want. I just wanted to give you a few good and bad examples of texts regarding the topic. Â
Key Takeaways
- Read the employee handbook to learn what is allowed and what is not.Â
- Find a replacement if you can’t make it to work.Â
- Use the correct channel to communicate with your boss.Â
- Don’t be too friendly when communicating with your boss.Â
- Separate your boss from your friend.Â
- Never ask another employee to give the message to your boss if you are sick.Â
- Don’t use inappropriate language.Â
- Check your grammar and spelling.Â
- Communicate concisely.
In Summary
Among other things, you just learned when it is appropriate to send a text-in-sick message and when it’s not appropriate. You have also learned that each company has its policy, which makes each situation unique. Furthermore, you are now aware of the vital aspects of calling in sick texts, and what to consider when writing a text-in-sick message to make things clear and easy for your boss. Finally, you have seen examples of good and bad text in sick messages. Â
So, now it’s your turn! Make the best decision based on what you just learned and what you have known before. Good luck! Â
Emily Rushton, Founder and CEO of Hire Integrated, has over a decade of experience in recruitment, helping companies solve high-volume hiring challenges. Her unique, storytelling approach has made her a trusted leader in the industry, helping both businesses and candidates succeed.
