# How do I convince my employer I really was sick?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-convince-my-employer-i-really-was-sick/514647
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion
**Created:** [October 21, 2009, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-convince-my-employer-i-really-was-sick/514647 "2009-10-21T18:30:13Z")
**Posts on this page:** 19
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Captain\_C](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_C)
#### Post date: [October 21, 2009, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-convince-my-employer-i-really-was-sick/514647/1 "2009-10-21T18:30:13Z")
Two weeks ago I put in my two-weeks notice to quit my second job. Today was my last scheduled shift. Upon waking up this morning I have mild flu-like symptoms. Since the job is working with children, I did the responsible thing and called in sick.
The response I got on the call-in was very… unbelieving. When I called and advised them I had flu like symptoms and shouldn’t be around children, they sounded very disbelieving with a very _wink wink nudge nudge sure you are sick_ type of response.
Ok, I get it. Quite often after someone puts in their two weeks notice they get unreliable. But I really am sick, and I want to leave this place on a good note. Is there any way to salvage this, or is my reputation pretty much set as ‘that guy who bailed early’?
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### Author:  [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)
#### Post date: [October 21, 2009, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-convince-my-employer-i-really-was-sick/514647/2 "2009-10-21T18:35:53Z")
You can always bring in a note from the doctor, but I wouldn’t sweat it. If you’ve established yourself as a good solid reliable worker, calling in sick on your last day shouldn’t raise more than a teasing giggle.
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### Author:  [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)
#### Post date: [October 21, 2009, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-convince-my-employer-i-really-was-sick/514647/3 "2009-10-21T18:54:43Z")
> [@ivylass](#):
>
> You can always bring in a note from the doctor, but I wouldn’t sweat it. If you’ve established yourself as a good solid reliable worker, calling in sick on your last day shouldn’t raise more than a teasing giggle.
Yeah, this is the only real response. A note from the Doctor is about all you can do. Even then they might not believe you. Which job did you quit? Why did you quit the job? I thought that job was right within your field?
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### Author:  [@NinetyWt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinetyWt)
#### Post date: [October 21, 2009, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-convince-my-employer-i-really-was-sick/514647/4 "2009-10-21T19:02:25Z")
Agreed, a doctor’s note is about the only way. And don’t go to your other job, or be out and about unless you’re getting medicine at the drugstore.
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### Author:  [@Cat\_Fight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Fight)
#### Post date: [October 21, 2009, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-convince-my-employer-i-really-was-sick/514647/5 "2009-10-21T19:42:21Z")
And for the love of god, now is not the time to update your status on Facebook or post drunken party pics from before you were sick!
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### Author:  [@Captain\_C](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_C)
#### Post date: [October 21, 2009, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-convince-my-employer-i-really-was-sick/514647/6 "2009-10-21T19:49:49Z")
> [@Cat\_Fight](#):
>
> And for the love of god, now is not the time to update your status on Facebook or post drunken party pics from before you were sick!
Heh, I wish I had a link. That picture is hilarious.
Sadly, without medical insurance I won’t be going to the doctor unless I’m at death’s door. So a doctor’s note is probably not a possibility.
It’s probably not a big deal, but it was a job in my field. I’d hate to be applying for a similar job in the future only to have them call my previous employers and become known as ‘the guy who ducked out his last day’. But then again I’m sick at home with too much free time, so I’m probably over-thinking this.
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### Author:  [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)
#### Post date: [October 21, 2009, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-convince-my-employer-i-really-was-sick/514647/7 "2009-10-21T20:14:33Z")
Oh come on. They’re just giving you a hard time. I seriously doubt anyone thinks less of you.
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### Author:  [@luv2draw](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/luv2draw)
#### Post date: [October 21, 2009, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-convince-my-employer-i-really-was-sick/514647/8 "2009-10-21T23:13:09Z")
In this economy by the time anyone calls for a reference, they’ll all be laid off. 😉
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### Author:  [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)
#### Post date: [October 21, 2009, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-convince-my-employer-i-really-was-sick/514647/9 "2009-10-21T23:33:28Z")
> [@Captain\_C](#):
>
> But then again I’m sick at home with too much free time, so I’m probably over-thinking this.
The fact that you’re feeling guilty tells me you’re not the type of person who would normally do this. Sip the chicken soup, cuddle up with the hot water bottle, and get better for your new job.
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### Author:  [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)
#### Post date: [October 21, 2009, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-convince-my-employer-i-really-was-sick/514647/10 "2009-10-21T23:52:01Z")
The only _real_ solution is to drag your ass in and puke on your boss’s desk. Then they’ll believe.
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### Author:  [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)
#### Post date: [October 22, 2009, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-convince-my-employer-i-really-was-sick/514647/11 "2009-10-22T01:42:59Z")
Back in my teens, I used to rub a little dark eyeshadow under my eyes. It really did the trick. Once I got sent back home. If you are a guy, you could use a little #2 pencil smudged from your fingertip to your face.
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### Author:  [@wmdkitty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wmdkitty)
#### Post date: [October 22, 2009, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-convince-my-employer-i-really-was-sick/514647/12 "2009-10-22T01:49:34Z")
> [@gaffa](#):
>
> The only _real_ solution is to drag your ass in and puke on your boss’s desk. Then they’ll believe.
Yup. I usually opt for coughing up large amounts of green lung-sludge, or trying to do my work between bouts of diarrhea. When they see you running for the bathroom for the third time in an hour, they just tell you, “go home and take care of yourself.”
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### Author:  [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)
#### Post date: [October 22, 2009, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-convince-my-employer-i-really-was-sick/514647/13 "2009-10-22T14:59:14Z")
The best way to convince co-workers that you have a legitimate illness is to not abuse the sick/vacation policy.
After 6 months or so, we all usually have a pretty good idea who is trustworthy and reliable and who is not. If you come into work when you’re scheduled 99% of the time, we all trust you when you call in sick. If, on the other hand, you suffer from “flu-like symptoms” every other odd Friday or the Monday after the SuperBowl, we catch on to that, too.
At this point, it’s water under the bridge. If you know that you were sick, then that’ll all that is important.
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### Author:  [@Sigmagirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigmagirl)
#### Post date: [October 22, 2009, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-convince-my-employer-i-really-was-sick/514647/14 "2009-10-22T15:20:46Z")
True. You have to build up the good will. When, at my previous job, I had more than 15 years of perfect attendance, I finally called off sick, they knew I was fucking _sick_. In 25 years I had four sick days, and two of those I was in the hospital. I had one co-worker who called off 25% of the Mondays one year. I checked the attendance log.
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### Author:  [@Wile\_E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wile_E)
#### Post date: [October 22, 2009, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-convince-my-employer-i-really-was-sick/514647/15 "2009-10-22T15:38:43Z")
> [@Captain\_C](#):
>
> Heh, I wish I had a link. That picture is hilarious.
>
> Sadly, without medical insurance I won’t be going to the doctor unless I’m at death’s door. So a doctor’s note is probably not a possibility.
>
> It’s probably not a big deal, but it was a job in my field. I’d hate to be applying for a similar job in the future only to have them call my previous employers and become known as ‘the guy who ducked out his last day’. But then again I’m sick at home with too much free time, so I’m probably over-thinking this.
I don’t know if this varies state by state but here all employers can say is whether or not they’d hire you again. So unless you were pretty unreliable the whole time you were there it’s unlikely they would say no over one incident.
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### Author:  [@fluiddruid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fluiddruid)
#### Post date: [October 22, 2009, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-convince-my-employer-i-really-was-sick/514647/16 "2009-10-22T16:16:53Z")
> [@Captain\_C](#):
>
> It’s probably not a big deal, but it was a job in my field. I’d hate to be applying for a similar job in the future only to have them call my previous employers and become known as ‘the guy who ducked out his last day’. But then again I’m sick at home with too much free time, so I’m probably over-thinking this.
Stop worrying. That would be the stupidest reason ever not to hire somebody. Do you want to work for someone that petty and arbitrary? You worked the rest of your notice; lots of people don’t.
Missing one day is not the end of the world. Chances are they won’t even remember it in a few months.
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### Author:  [@Mr\_Happy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Happy)
#### Post date: [October 22, 2009, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-convince-my-employer-i-really-was-sick/514647/17 "2009-10-22T16:23:13Z")
> [@Captain\_C](#):
>
> Sadly, without medical insurance I won’t be going to the doctor unless I’m at death’s door. So a doctor’s note is probably not a possibility,
You can’t go and see a doctor and tell them your symptpms, then have them write you a note for not attending work without insurance??
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### Author:  [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)
#### Post date: [October 22, 2009, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-convince-my-employer-i-really-was-sick/514647/18 "2009-10-22T18:21:01Z")
> [@Mr\_Happy](#):
>
> You can’t go and see a doctor and tell them your symptpms, then have them write you a note for not attending work without insurance??
USA perspective:
Not typically – there are exceptions, but the available charity hospitals normally have very long waits (12+ hours) for non-emergencies.
EDIT: I mean, an emergency-room doctor _can_ see you of you don’t have insurance (ERs are pretty much open to all comers). But you’ll get billed for the check-up … almost ceratinly above $200, and likely closer to $500.
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### Author:  [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)
#### Post date: [October 22, 2009, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-convince-my-employer-i-really-was-sick/514647/19 "2009-10-22T19:24:40Z")
> [@bordelond](#):
>
> USA perspective:
>
> Not typically – there are exceptions, but the available charity hospitals normally have very long waits (12+ hours) for non-emergencies.
>
> EDIT: I mean, an emergency-room doctor _can_ see you of you don’t have insurance (ERs are pretty much open to all comers). But you’ll get billed for the check-up … almost ceratinly above $200, and likely closer to $500.
Wow… America _SUCKS_!
( 😉 )