Good Reasons to Call Off Work

Illness is a good reason to call off work.

While calling off work might seem like an unprofessional thing to do, there are certain cases in which it is better to call off work than to go in. These include situations where your physical, mental or emotional health is in jeopardy, during a family emergency and during extremely bad weather. Taking much needed time off to take care of such pressing issues will make you more focused and productive when you return.

Personal Illness

Personal illness is a very good reason to call off work. To prevent yourself from spreading your sickness to others if it's contagious and from making others uncomfortable and disrupting the work rhythms if it's not, it's much better to stay home. Coming to work while you're sick might also end up costing both you and the company a lot of resources. Your decreased efficiency from attending work and not giving your body adequate time to rest and heal could ultimately cost the company much more in time and resources as well.

Family Emergency

Attending to a family emergency is also a very good reason to call off work, even if you eventually discover that the emergency is not as serious as you once thought or your presence and participation do nothing to avert a major disaster. Family emergencies are incidents like receiving a phone call about a parent, spouse or sibling's cancer diagnosis, or getting a call from your child's school that your presence is needed there immediately. While family emergencies are good reasons to call off work, do not abuse them with overuse.

Bad Weather

In times of extreme bad weather such as snowstorms, hurricanes and floods, it is better to call off work than to go in even though other coworkers are able to get to work on time. Your own access to work is very different from theirs, so your inability to go to work should not be questioned seriously by your supervisors. Again, this is another reason that needs to be used with caution because you don't want to send the message that you're looking for excuses not to come to work.

Other Good Reasons

Some other good reasons to call off work are those that have to do with your children. Having a child fall ill suddenly and having a babysitter cancel at the last minute are good reasons to call off work. Also, if you have to take care of a potentially hazardous or dangerous issue at home, like a flooding basement or an electrical problem, call off work to make sure the problem is taken care of.

References

• How to Call In Sick Without Jeopardizing Your Job: Health.com