What to say when you call out of work can make all the difference in how your message is received. Whether it’s due to illness, emergencies, or personal reasons, choosing the right words is key.
We help you sound respectful, honest, and professional. Avoid awkward texts or confusing excuses—use our ready-made replies that leave the right impression.
Make calling out simple, clear, and stress-free with the perfect message every time.
Sorry Generator
Keep It Short, Honest, and Professional
When calling out of work, you don’t need to give every detail — just enough to explain why you’re missing work and when you expect to return.
✅ What to say:
- “Hi [Manager’s Name], I’m not feeling well today and need to take a sick day.”
- “I’m dealing with a personal issue and won’t be able to come in. I’ll update you tomorrow.”
- “I need to take today off for a family emergency. I’ll check in later with more details if needed.”
❌ What NOT to say:
- “I just don’t feel like coming in today.”
- “I had a rough night, so I’m skipping work.”
- “I don’t think I can deal with work today — it’s too much.”
Scenario: If you’re sick, keep it simple: “I’m not feeling well and won’t be in today. I’ll keep you posted if I need more time.”
Know When and How to Communicate
Timing matters. The sooner you let your employer know, the better. Also, follow your company’s preferred method — some require a call, others prefer email or messaging apps.
✅ What to say:
- “I’m notifying you as early as I could this morning — I won’t be able to make it in today.”
- “I know we usually use Slack, so I’m messaging you here about my absence today.”
- “Just letting you know by phone as required — I need to take a sick day.”
❌ What NOT to say:
- “Sorry for the late notice, but I’m not coming in.”
- “I forgot to tell you earlier, but I won’t be there.”
- “I didn’t know how to tell you, so I waited.”
Scenario: If you wake up feeling sick, text or call as early as possible: “Hi, I’m feeling unwell and wanted to let you know right away that I’ll need to stay home today.”
Give an Estimated Return, If You Can
Letting your boss know how long you’ll be out helps them plan ahead. Even if you’re unsure, a rough timeline is helpful.
✅ What to say:
- “I expect to be back tomorrow, but I’ll confirm in the morning.”
- “I may need a couple of days to recover. I’ll check in daily.”
- “I’ll see how I’m feeling later today and give you an update.”
❌ What NOT to say:
- “I don’t know, maybe I’ll be back soon?”
- “I’ll let you know whenever.”
- “I’ll come back when I feel like it.”
Scenario: If you’re unsure about your return, say: “I’m not sure how I’ll feel tomorrow, but I’ll touch base in the morning to update you.”
Keep It Respectful and Grateful
Even if your workplace has sick days or personal time, a respectful tone goes a long way. It shows responsibility and professionalism.
✅ What to say:
- “Thanks for understanding — I really appreciate your support.”
- “Sorry for the short notice. I’ll do my best to catch up when I return.”
- “Thank you for being flexible with my schedule today.”
❌ What NOT to say:
- “It’s not like I wanted to work today anyway.”
- “That job stresses me out — I needed a break.”
- “You’ll survive without me for a day.”
Scenario: Even if it’s a tough day, say something like: “Thanks for being understanding. I’ll check back tomorrow and update you on my status.”
Avoid Oversharing or Making Excuses
You don’t need to explain your entire situation. Stick to the basics. Sharing too much may make things awkward or raise questions you don’t want to answer.
✅ What to say:
- “I need to take a personal day today.”
- “There’s an urgent situation at home I need to handle.”
- “I’m feeling unwell and need rest.”
❌ What NOT to say:
- “I’ve been crying all night after a fight with my partner.”
- “My dog ate something bad and threw up on everything.”
- “I drank too much last night and can’t get up.”
Scenario: If it’s a personal issue, keep it brief: “I’m dealing with something urgent at home and won’t be able to work today. Thanks for understanding.”
Final Thoughts
Figuring out what to say when you call out of work doesn’t have to be stressful. Stick to the facts, be respectful, and communicate as early as you can.
Whether you’re sick, overwhelmed, or dealing with something personal, your employer just needs to know what’s going on and how long you’ll be out.
Keeping it honest, short, and professional helps you stay on good terms and focus on getting better or handling your situation.
