Calling in sick for mental health reasons is perfectly valid. A sick day can give you time to practice self-care, allowing you to return to your day-to-day life feeling calmer and refreshed. Not all employers may see it this way as stigma against mental illness is still rife.
Employers should understand that people need to take sick days, and there shouldn't be an issue about taking one. So if you're nervous about asking, we bet there is a good chance they will respond with something short and sweet. If you feel the need for a mental health day from work, know that you're deserving of one.
If you're feeling burned out, it could be time to ask your boss for a mental health day. It's important to remember that your mental health is just as important as your physical health, so asking for a mental health day doesn't have to be any different than asking for a regular sick day.
When you do, call as early as possible, don't try to sound sick and when they ask why say "mental health" and do not apologize, then tell them you will be in the next day. Volunteer no more information and take the day you need.
When writing or sharing your request over the phone, be honest and keep it brief. For example, “I'm not feeling well today, so it's best I stay home. I'll let you know if I'm better tomorrow,” is an acceptable way to call in sick.
Cyrus recommends keeping it short: "'I'm not feeling well today and would like to call in sick' — because feeling emotionally sick counts. Or, 'I'm unable to come in due to personal reasons. '"
Texting in sick is a lot like emailing in sick in that you're not picking up the phone to call your boss. While an email might be more professional, according to some bosses, a text might be more efficient and offer quicker notice since most people keep their phones on them.
According to one Winnipeg psychologist, this anxiety to call in sick is likely related to social anxiety. “Many people who experience this may likely also experience other fears of letting people down or confrontation or general fear of negative evaluation,” said director of Clinic Psychology Manitoba Dr.
Discussing mental health openly in the workplace can help to create an environment in which employees can feel comfortable reaching out for support. If an employee is struggling with mental health issues, for example, they may be more likely to seek help if they know that their workplace is open and supportive.
Be clear about the impact your mental health challenges are having at work. If the cause is work-related, share that also. As much as possible, come with suggestions for how your manager or HR can help you. Have ideas about what changes or resources you'd find beneficial.
I am writing to you today to request time off on [specific dates] because of [a death in the family/family emergency/situation at home]. I apologize for the short notice and greatly appreciate your consideration on this matter. Let me know if you have any questions. I'm happy to make up for the time that I'm gone.
Taking a mental health day isn't silly. And it isn't selfish. Just like a sick day gives your body rest, a mental health day — aka a “sad day” or wellness day — gives your brain a break. Here's when and how to take a mental health day off from work.
Originally Answered: Is it wrong of someone to call out sick from work even if s(he) is not physically sick, but mentally exhausted? you don't have to be just physically sick to be unfit to work, That's effectively what you are saying when you call in sick. Mentally exhausted is a sickness too.
Avoid using words that label others, like
If a person is struggling, they might fear being judged by others. Using these labels can make their target feel even worse. Don't speculate about whether someone has a mental health disorder and what their diagnosis might be.
Reasonable excuses to leave work early with late notice include child-related care, pet care, last-minute family arrival, family issue, home break-in, package delivery, utility issue, headache, back pain, stomach issue, menstrual cramps, toothache, contagious sickness, oncoming cold, work injury, and a doctor's ...
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.
Why do we feel guilty about needing time off? "The feeling of guilt we experience in these situations is because we are conditioned as a society to view doing anything to prioritise our own well-being as selfish," suggests Brummell.
Answer honestly: have you ever faked a sick day from work so you could do something a little more fun? For those who said yes, rest assured that there's safety in numbers. In fact, almost 50% of Americans surveyed have admitted to faking a sick day at one point during their career.
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.
As long as you're staying home and not, say, taking a long weekend in Mexico and calling in sick in lieu of taking a vacation day, you have no reason to feel guilty. Everybody has under-the-weather days, including your boss.
Try saying: I started feeling unwell yesterday evening, and I feel even worse this morning. I'm not feeling well enough to come to the office, and I don't want to risk passing anything on to anyone else. I'm going to take a sick day today to recover.