How to Call in Sick to Work When You Aren't Sick
Have you ever called in sick when you weren’t sick? OK, of course you haven’t, but you probably know others who have. You might even know people who called in sick and then weren’t clever enough to avoid getting sunburned while spending the day at the beach. Back when I was a manager, one of my employees did just that, calling in sick and turning up the next day red-faced. He became even more red-faced when he realized he’d fooled no one, least of all me.
It’s impossible to know how many people call in sick when they’re not. In one study, 85 percent of employees say they are always honest when they call in sick. On the other hand, in another study, 30 percent of workers admitted to calling in sick in the past year when they weren’t actually sick. Managers, take note: 30 percent!
You don’t have to look hard to find advice on how to call in sick when you’re not. For example, you can prepare an alibi, call your boss (or send a text message so you don’t have to try to sound sick), and follow through when you’re back at work by pretending to be recovering. Thankfully, at least some of this advice is prefaced by the admonition that calling in sick when you’re not is unethical. You’ll not only be lying, but you’ll also be, in effect, stealing from your employer.
If you plan to lie your way to a day off, be forewarned: 29 percent of employers reported they either request a doctor’s note or called later in the day to see how the employee was doing.
Of course, with the advent of flu season and winter colds, the issue isn’t so much those who falsely take a sick day, but those who come to work while sick. If you’re truly sick, you’re unlikely to be productive. Worse, you might be contagious and you’ll be spreading germs to co-workers who will end up having to call in sick because they really are.
It’s generally advised that you stay home if you have stomach problems, flu, a severe sore throat, a rash that might be contagious, significant pain, or a bad cold. If you go to work anyway, wash your hands regularly (and suggest that those you interact with might benefit by doing the same).
Not surprisingly, there are lots and lots of videos about how to call in sick when you’re not. But you’ve no need to look at them. Right?
