In a workplace environment, it’s inevitable to encounter days when illness strikes. When this happens, communicating your absence to your boss in a professional and timely manner is crucial. Texting has become a widely used means of communication in recent times, so if you find yourself indisposed, sending a text message to your boss may be an appropriate option. However, it’s essential to approach this task with tact and respect, ensuring that your message is clear, concise, and appropriately formal.
When crafting your text message, start by acknowledging your absence. Use a polite salutation, such as “Good morning/afternoon, [Boss’s name],” and state your name to identify yourself. Then, briefly explain that you’re unable to come to work due to illness. Be specific about the nature of your illness if it’s relevant to your job duties, but avoid excessive detail. For instance, you could say, “I’m writing to inform you that I’m experiencing symptoms of the flu and won’t be able to come to the office today.” Providing a brief explanation demonstrates your professionalism and helps your boss understand your situation.
Next, indicate the expected duration of your absence. If you know how long you’ll be out, state it clearly. However, if you’re unsure, use phrases like “I expect to be back in the office by [date]” or “I’ll keep you updated on my progress.” It’s crucial to be realistic about your recovery time to avoid any inconvenience or disruption to your team. Additionally, offer to provide a doctor’s note if necessary. This shows your commitment to returning to work as soon as possible and provides your boss with documentation of your illness.
Provide a Clear and Specific Reason
When you’re calling out sick, it’s important to provide your boss with a clear and specific reason why you’re unable to come to work. This will help your boss understand the severity of your illness and make it easier for them to approve your leave.
Details include in giving reason:
Here are some details to include when you’re giving your boss a reason for your absence:
- The specific symptoms you’re experiencing. If you’re experiencing multiple symptoms, list them in order of severity.
- The date or time when you started experiencing symptoms.
- Any treatments you’re taking for your symptoms.
- The expected duration of your illness. If you think you’ll only be out for a day or two, say so. If you’re not sure how long you’ll be out, give your boss a range of days.
- Any other information that will help your boss understand your situation.
By providing your boss with a clear and specific reason for your absence, you can help them make a decision about whether or not to approve your leave.
Express Concern and Appreciation
Begin your text message by expressing concern for your boss’s well-being. Let them know that you’re sorry to hear they’re not feeling well and that you hope they’re resting comfortably.
Next, express your appreciation for their understanding and support. Let them know that you’re grateful for their willingness to grant you time off and that you’ll be sure to catch up on any missed work as soon as you’re feeling better.
Here are some specific examples of what you can say:
Concern:
Appreciation:
Be Respectful and Professional
When texting your boss to inform them that you’re sick, it’s crucial to maintain a respectful and professional tone. This demonstrates your commitment to your job and respect for your boss’s time.
Here are some specific tips for maintaining professionalism:
- Use formal language: Avoid using slang or abbreviations.
- Be concise: Keep your message clear and to the point.
- Proofread carefully: Ensure your message is free of errors.
- Provide a specific reason (if possible): If you’re comfortable doing so, provide a brief explanation of your illness.
- Offer to work remotely: If you’re able to, express your willingness to work from home.
- Follow up: Send a follow-up message later in the day to update your boss on your condition and any missed deadlines.
Specific Examples of Professional Language
| Avoid | Use Instead |
|---|---|
| “I’m sick today” | “I regret to inform you that I am experiencing an illness and will be unable to come to work today.” |
| “Can’t make it to work” | “I am unable to attend work today due to a sudden illness.” |
| “I’ll be out sick” | “I will be absent from work today due to an undisclosed illness.” |
Follow Up with a Phone Call
After you’ve sent your text, it’s a good idea to follow up with a phone call. This will give your boss a chance to ask any questions they may have and to confirm that you’re actually sick. When you call, be polite and professional, and explain that you’re not feeling well and won’t be able to come to work. Be sure to let your boss know when you expect to be back in the office.
Here’s a sample phone script you can use:
| You: | “Hi [Boss’s name], it’s [Your name]. I’m calling to let you know that I won’t be able to come to work today. I’m not feeling well and I don’t want to risk getting anyone else sick.” |
|---|---|
| Boss: | “I’m sorry to hear that you’re not feeling well. What seems to be the problem?” |
| You: | “I’m not sure, but I have a headache, a sore throat, and a runny nose. I think I might have the flu.” |
| Boss: | “Okay, well I hope you feel better soon. Let me know if there’s anything I can do.” |
| You: | “Thanks, I will. I’ll keep you updated on my condition.” |
Keep it Brief and to the Point
When texting your boss to inform them that you’re sick, keep your message concise and direct. Avoid providing unnecessary details or excuses. Instead, simply state the fact that you’re not feeling well and will be unable to come into work today. If you have any specific symptoms or limitations, you can briefly mention them.
Be Professional and Respectful
Even though you’re not feeling well, it’s important to maintain a professional tone in your text message. Use polite language and avoid being overly casual or informal. Remember that your boss will be reading your message, so make sure it reflects well on you.
Offer to Provide Details
If you’re comfortable doing so, you can offer to provide more details about your condition later. This shows that you’re willing to be transparent and accountable for your absence. However, it’s not necessary to provide excessive details unless your boss specifically asks for them.
Follow Up
Once you’ve sent your text message, follow up with your boss later in the day to provide an update on your condition. This shows that you’re being proactive and that you’re not just trying to avoid work. If you’re still feeling sick, you can request an additional day off. If you’re feeling better, you can let your boss know that you’ll be back in the office the next day.
Sample Text Message
Hi [Boss’s name],
I’m writing to let you know that I’m not feeling well today and won’t be able to come into work. I’m experiencing [briefly describe symptoms].
I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. I’ll keep you updated on my condition and let you know when I expect to be back in the office.
Thank you for your understanding.
Sincerely,
[Your name]
Additional Tips
- Send your text message early in the morning, so your boss has plenty of time to make arrangements.
- Avoid using abbreviations or slang in your text message.
- Proofread your text message before sending it to make sure there are no errors.
What Not to Do
Here are some things to avoid when texting your boss to tell them you’re sick:
- Don’t lie about being sick.
- Don’t provide excessive details about your symptoms.
- Don’t use accusatory or demanding language.
- Don’t text your boss while you’re intoxicated.
Proofread Your Message Carefully
Before sending your text, take a moment to proofread it carefully. Make sure there are no typos or grammatical errors. You want your boss to take you seriously, so it’s important to make sure your message is well-written.
What to Include in Your Text
When you’re texting your boss to say you’re sick, be sure to include the following information:
– The reason you’re sick. It’s enough to describe the symptom that prevents you from performing your job, such as “fever,” “vomiting,” or “headache.” No need to describe the severity of your condition.
– The date you’re going to be out. If you’re not sure how long you’ll be out, say so. For example, you can say, “I’m not sure how long I’ll be out, but I’ll keep you updated.”
– Whether or not you’ll be able to work from home. If you’re able to work from home, let your boss know. This may allow you to continue working without missing any time.
Example Text
“`
Hi [Boss’s Name],
I’m writing to let you know that I’m not feeling well this morning and won’t be able to come into work today. I have a fever and a headache. I’m not sure how long I’ll be out, but I’ll keep you updated.
Thanks,
[Your Name]
“`
Tips for Texting Your Boss
| Do | Don’t |
|---|---|
| Be clear and concise. | Don’t be vague or overly detailed. |
| Proofread your message before sending it. | Don’t send a message with typos or grammatical errors. |
| Be respectful. | Don’t use informal language or emojis. |
| Let your boss know if you’ll be able to work from home. | Don’t assume that you’ll be able to work from home. |
| Keep your boss updated on your condition. | Don’t disappear for days without letting your boss know what’s going on. |
By following these tips, you can make sure that your text to your boss is clear, concise, and professional. This will help your boss understand your situation and make it easier for them to approve your request.
Send at an Appropriate Time
Timing is crucial when informing your boss about your absence due to illness. The ideal time to send a text is during regular business hours, typically between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM. Avoid sending texts late at night or on weekends, as your boss may not be available to respond promptly. Consider your boss’s work schedule and send the text when they are most likely to be checking their messages.
It’s important to send the text early enough to give your boss ample time to adjust their schedule or make necessary arrangements. As a general rule of thumb, send the text as soon as you realize you will be unable to work.
If you are feeling particularly unwell and need to call out sick on short notice, it’s still crucial to send a text as soon as possible. While a phone call may be more effective in conveying the urgency of the situation, a text message still serves as a prompt notification and allows your boss to acknowledge your absence quickly.
To summarize:
| Time to Send Text | Reasoning |
|---|---|
| During regular business hours (8:00 AM – 5:00 PM) | Ensures your boss is most likely to be available and responsive |
| Early in the day | Provides your boss with ample time to make necessary arrangements |
| As soon as you realize you will be absent | Demonstrates your responsibility and minimizes disruption to the workplace |
How To Text Boss Your Sick
When you’re sick, the last thing you want to do is think about work. But if you’re not feeling well enough to go to the office, you need to let your boss know as soon as possible. Here are a few tips on how to text your boss your sick:
- Be clear and concise. Let your boss know that you’re sick and won’t be able to make it to work today.
- Provide a brief explanation. If you’re comfortable, you can give your boss a brief explanation of why you’re sick. However, you don’t need to go into too much detail.
- Apologize for any inconvenience. Let your boss know that you’re sorry for any inconvenience your absence may cause.
- Offer to work from home. If you’re feeling up to it, you can offer to work from home if possible.
Here is an example of a sick text message to your boss:
“Hi [Boss’s name],
I’m texting to let you know that I’m not feeling well and won’t be able to make it to work today. I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
I’ll keep you updated on my condition and let you know when I expect to be back in the office.
Thanks,
[Your name]”
People Also Ask
What should I say if I have to text my boss sick at the last minute?
If you have to text your boss sick at the last minute, be sure to be clear and concise. Let your boss know that you’re sick and won’t be able to make it to work today. You can also offer a brief explanation, such as, “I woke up with a fever and chills.” Apologize for any inconvenience and let your boss know that you’ll keep them updated on your condition.
Do I need to provide a doctor’s note?
It depends on your company’s policy. Some companies require a doctor’s note for absences of three days or more. Others may require a doctor’s note for any absence. If you’re not sure, it’s best to check with your HR department.
Can I still get paid if I’m sick?
It depends on your company’s sick leave policy. Some companies offer paid sick leave, while others do not. If you’re not sure, it’s best to check with your HR department.
