29 Jul Calling in sick | Avoiding the awkwardness

After a terrible nights sleep, you awake with a dreading headache. You very slowly manage to lift your head up from your pillow for a moment, and the dizziness warns you that work today is a no go.

The Dreaded Phone Call

So, after opting not to go to work, how do you handle the dreaded phone call to your employer informing them that you will not be arriving? It might be a difficult phone call. Here are some pointers to help you make the call go as smoothly as possible:

• Don’t go overshare!  Explain your illness, but don’t go into too much detail. When people are lying, they frequently overshare, and you don’t want your boss to suspect you when you’re truly ill.
• Say you want to get better quickly so you can return to work. Your manager will not want you to prolong your illness by coming to work and then needing even more time off.
• Don’t put on a show! Even if you only have a stomach bug, everyone has a weak voice. When attempting to persuade their boss that they are ill, people frequently utilise a croaky or subdued tone. This usually has the opposite effect, making it appear as if you’re faking it.
• Offer to be accessible via your work email – but only if you’re feeling well enough to check your emails on a regular basis.
• Say you don’t want to make your co-workers sick. The only thing worse than one employer calling in sick is when several employers call in sick!
• Be sincere. You don’t have to put on a show or overthink things. Simply state that you are actually ill and will return to work when you are recharged and healthy.
• Remember to express gratitude. Before you finish the call, express your thanks to your manager for their patience.

With these tips, we’re sure that the typically awkward call with your employer will go smoothly without any issues. 

Read more articles and news from Kiwi Recruitment here

To keep up to date on all the latest opportunities, follow us on social media; Twitter, Facebook, Instagram