The short, simple answer is DO NOT go to work if you have a sore throat, especially if you aren't sure why. A sore throat could mean the presence of an underlying infection.
A sore throat is often a sign of contagious illness, including colds, strep throat, and influenza. 4 In these cases, you should stay home from work. However, if you often experience a sore throat due to allergies, acid reflux, or dry air, or if you overused your voice the prior day, there is no need to call in sick.
The typical incubation period for a cold is 2–3 days. A sore throat or runny nose are common early signs. Other symptoms, such as coughing and sneezing, may also develop.
Go ahead and call in sick. The next day, you'll probably be able to go to work, since it usually isn't contagious. If you're very sick or your symptoms get worse after a week, call your doctor. For more information, see When a Cold Becomes a Sinus Infection.
When a sick day is required, contact your boss immediately. It's always preferable to email or give a phone call to discuss the situation. However, it is important to consider your relationship with your boss prior to reaching out.
Some people stop everything at the first signs of a serious cold, stomach bug, or other illness. That might seem extreme, but it is a good idea to call in sick and take a pause to rest and regroup before you become seriously ill, especially those who are working in-person.
Someone with strep throat should start feeling better in just a day or two after starting antibiotics. Call the doctor if you or your child are not feeling better after taking antibiotics for 48 hours. People with strep throat should stay home from work, school, or daycare until they: No longer have a fever.
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.
Don't worry. 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.
Incubation: After you're exposed to a cold virus, it typically takes 1 to 3 days for you to develop symptoms. However, it's possible to develop symptoms as soon as 10 to 12 hours after exposure. Symptoms peak: Cold symptoms peak at 1 to 3 days.
Days 1 and 2: Stuffiness, Sore Throat, and Runny Nose
In this first stage, it's especially important to rest as much as possible to minimize fatigue and keep your immune system at full power.
Most often, a sore throat is caused by a virus like the flu or common cold. The sore throat will go away on its own in a few days without any treatment. When a sore throat comes on fast, it may be caused by the bacteria streptococci (strep-tuh-kaak-sai), or strep. Antibiotics will not help treat viruses.
Yes, you should apologize for any inconvenience caused by your calling in sick. This will demonstrate to your team and your boss that you are appreciative and you are responsible.
When informing your boss about your sick leave, keep things to the point without over-explaining your illness and symptoms. Instead, briefly explain why you're taking a sick leave (e.g. contagious illness such as flu and cold, stomach flu or family issues) and state your approximation of the period you'll be away.
Call as Soon as Possible
Let your boss know about your illness as soon as possible. If you are feeling ill the night before and know you won't make it in to work, you can send your boss a message that evening. Otherwise, tell your boss first thing in the morning.
As long as you have a legitimate reason, you should not hesitate to ask permission to miss work. In most cases, with a reasonable excuse, you can rest assured that your employer will listen and assist accordingly, whether it's the last minute, short notice, or prearranged excuse.
1 You're not feeling well. 2 You've got a sick child to take care of. 3 You have a last-minute doctor's appointment. 4 You've got food poisoning.
Hello [Manager's name], I am sick with [the flu, a cold, strep throat, etc.] and my doctor has recommended taking [number] days off work to recover. I hope to be well enough to return on [date].
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.
It's okay to fake sick every once in a while, but if you get into the habit of slacking off in general, then your job may be in jeopardy. Remember that you deserve an occasional day off to unwind, rest up, and rejuvenate your mental health.
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.
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.