# What do you say when you call in sick? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 22, 2006, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-say-when-you-call-in-sick/349498 "2006-03-22T22:42:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Sublight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/439d5e/32.png) [@Sublight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sublight)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2006, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-say-when-you-call-in-sick/349498/21 "2006-03-23T02:00:22Z")
Since the last time I took a sick day was when I was in the hospital undergoing cancer treatment, I think if I just say “I’m feeling sick today. Sorry.” they’ll go along with it. Actually, I just remembered I did take a sick day last year when I had a bad cold. I told them I was feeling fucked up with a bad cold, and if they really needed anything to call or email and I’d take it from home. ---
**Author:** ![MannyL](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba8739/32.png) [@MannyL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MannyL)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2006, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-say-when-you-call-in-sick/349498/22 "2006-03-23T02:35:49Z")
I just call and say I won’t be in today. My supervisor always says take one day thye think you may be faking, take two days and they believe you are sick ---
**Author:** ![Lionne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Lionne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lionne)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2006, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-say-when-you-call-in-sick/349498/23 "2006-03-23T02:52:30Z")
If I’m faking it, I call first thing when I wake up. My voice sounds scratchy and thick then, so it sounds true. If I am truly sick, same thing. I don’t really feel guilty, unless I know I’m putting someone out. When I worked at a restaurant and someone had to cover my shift, you can bet I was truly ill before I called out. slight hijack… Is it ‘called out’ sick or ‘called in’ sick? I always used ‘out’ as in 'I’ll be out of work today because I’m ill." I’ve heard both phrases, but I wonder which is most correct. ---
**Author:** ![Rhiannon8404](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rhiannon8404/32/17929_2.png) [@Rhiannon8404](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhiannon8404)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2006, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-say-when-you-call-in-sick/349498/24 "2006-03-23T02:54:03Z")
> [@MannyL](#): > > I just call and say I won’t be in today. My supervisor always says take one day thye think you may be faking, take two days and they believe you are sick This reminds me of what my dad told me when I got my first real job. He said never call in sick on a Monday, even if you really are sick. Go in and get yourself sent home. If you call in sick on a Monday, they’ll think you were out partying all weekend and you’re hung over. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2006, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-say-when-you-call-in-sick/349498/25 "2006-03-23T03:23:09Z")
I had a co-worker out sick for three days in a row last month, and on the third day, the team lead asked the co-worker to go to the doctor. I didn’t understand how that was supposed to work. When I’ve been sick enough to miss several days in a row, I was also far too sick to drag myself to the doctor. Plus what doctor wants you sitting in his waiting room infecting everyone else? And my current office is actually closer than my doctor’s office. So if this team lead tries to tell _me_ to go to the doctor, I’m tempted to offer to come to work so I can cough and sneeze all over him. ---
**Author:** ![even\_sven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dfb087/32.png) [@even\_sven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/even_sven)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2006, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-say-when-you-call-in-sick/349498/26 "2006-03-23T03:24:28Z")
I never call in sick when I am really sick. I somehow make it there on the bus, straggle in to work, immediately realize I am too sick, say “I don’t thinK I am going to be able to be much use in the office” and go back home. The bus ride home and walk up the hill is always hellish. The odd thing is I have no problem taking an occasional “mental health” day. I always call in very early on those days and manage to sound amazingly ill. ---
**Author:** ![Kythereia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e8c25b/32.png) [@Kythereia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kythereia)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2006, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-say-when-you-call-in-sick/349498/27 "2006-03-23T03:35:04Z")
I can’t remember a time I’ve actually called in sick. I’ve gotten sick on the job–the supervisor will take one look at me and say, “ **Kythereia** , get out of the store and go home”. But I always try to make the effort to get there first. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2006, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-say-when-you-call-in-sick/349498/28 "2006-03-23T03:38:20Z")
“Press 3 for illness.” ---
**Author:** ![Rigamarole](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/77aa72/32.png) [@Rigamarole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rigamarole)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2006, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-say-when-you-call-in-sick/349498/29 "2006-03-23T03:38:49Z")
Ahh, I never get sick. I used to fake it constantly in my school days. When I worked some less-than-fun jobs I did it every once in a while. But I did always still feel a little guilty. I would just say something like “I’m really not feeling well enough to come in today.” and then cough and wheeze a bit for dramatic effect. Then they would really try to push me to come in, or to come in later in the day and I just had to assert that no, I wasn’t coming in today. ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2006, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-say-when-you-call-in-sick/349498/30 "2006-03-23T04:42:38Z")
Fucking hell. Your jobs must suck. I call in and I say “I’ve decided to call in sick.” They never question that. On the other hand, we have no distinction between sick days and vacation days. One pile of days and when you use them all up, they’re gone. Maybe it’s my job that sucks. ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2006, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-say-when-you-call-in-sick/349498/31 "2006-03-23T04:48:15Z")
We have no distinction between sick days and vacation days, either, but generally you’re supposed to ask ahead of time and fill out paperwork for the latter. I just say that I feel awful, won’t be in, and then add any info that they might need if there’s anything I was supposed to be doing urgently that day. ---
**Author:** ![blueslipper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b5a626/32.png) [@blueslipper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blueslipper)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2006, 10:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-say-when-you-call-in-sick/349498/32 "2006-03-23T10:15:46Z")
I don’t know whether this is an Australian thing or not. The bosses here always ask the person “What do you have? What are the symptoms etc” The unions always have to remind the workers that they need not be answering said questions as it is an invasion of privacy. Many people have told me this. And three different union’s handouts have made me believe this is a problem in Australia. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2006, 10:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-say-when-you-call-in-sick/349498/33 "2006-03-23T10:27:26Z")
I always ask permission, even if I don’t have to. “Listen, I’m sick - I feel like crap. You mind if I don’t come in today?”. 19 times out of 20 they’ll say sure, fell better; the 20th time, there’s something so important going on at work I probably should be there anyway even if I AM sick. It’s a good system - it makes the boss feel magnanimous, and on the rare occasion he or she actually insists on me coming, I come out looking like a real trooper. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2006, 11:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-say-when-you-call-in-sick/349498/34 "2006-03-23T11:31:57Z")
> [@blueslipper](#): > > I don’t know whether this is an Australian thing or not. The bosses here always ask the person “What do you have? What are the symptoms etc” The unions always have to remind the workers that they need not be answering said questions as it is an invasion of privacy. Many people have told me this. And three different union’s handouts have made me believe this is a problem in Australia. I’ve called in sick for myself and other people to lots of different empoyers and have never heard of this. As for myself I usually say that the voices in my head kept me up all night with the constant chanting “kill them all, kill them all,” but I’ll be in tomorrow. ---
**Author:** ![Anastasaeon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/73ab20/32.png) [@Anastasaeon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anastasaeon)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2006, 11:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-say-when-you-call-in-sick/349498/35 "2006-03-23T11:32:09Z")
I always felt guilty, too. Even though I would really, truly be sick, I always felt like they’d think I was faking it. Luckily, I’d usually get the secretary, who I adored and she was very sweet and very easy to convince; however, I’d still put on the old “sick accent” as thick as possible. “Ahmb dorry, Rode, Ahmb feelingh awbully dick doday.” “Oh, you sound _terrible_!” “Ah doe. Ah doe. Ahmb daking dome andeehidameends.” “You do that. Drink lots of liquids. I’ll tell [boss] you won’t be in today. You take care.” “Dankoo Rode.” Her name was Rose, if you’re having trouble with the translation. ---
**Author:** ![yellowval](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/919ad9/32.png) [@yellowval](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yellowval)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2006, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-say-when-you-call-in-sick/349498/36 "2006-03-23T14:41:32Z")
The last time I called in sick everyone in the office already knew I hadn’t been feeling well. I sounded so bad all I had to do was say, “Carol,” when she answered the phone and she said, “Stay home.” I came back the next day, but couldn’t talk for the next two. But yeah, even when I really am sick I still feel guilty about calling in. ---
**Author:** ![Elza\_B](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Elza\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elza_B)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2006, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-say-when-you-call-in-sick/349498/37 "2006-03-23T15:03:36Z")
> [@Rhiannon8404](#): > > This reminds me of what my dad told me when I got my first real job. He said never call in sick on a Monday, even if you really are sick. Go in and get yourself sent home. If you call in sick on a Monday, they’ll think you were out partying all weekend and you’re hung over. The only day I actually called in sick at my current job was the Monday after Thanksgiving. I felt terribly guilty doing it, but I really WAS sick - I’d started getting sick on Saturday, was pretty sick on Sunday, and was still sick on Monday, but getting better. Luckily, I have a very understanding boss, and that was the only time I’d called in sick (and still is), so she didn’t think I was faking it. We also have a pretty generous bank of PTO time, though (which I’m saving up for my maternity leave, though), so I can usually take off with a day or two notice if I want to. My boss is fairly flexible as long as we don’t have a major event coming up or a board meeting. E. ---
**Author:** ![squeekster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/779978/32.png) [@squeekster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeekster)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2006, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-say-when-you-call-in-sick/349498/38 "2006-03-23T15:24:10Z")
At my last job, I usually used one of two excuses. _“I won’t be in today. I feel like about 100 miles of bad road.”_ or _“I won’t be in today. I’ve been up all night going at both ends.”_ ---
**Author:** ![BlackNGold](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/779978/32.png) [@BlackNGold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlackNGold)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2006, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-say-when-you-call-in-sick/349498/39 "2006-03-23T15:24:21Z")
> [@Dewey Finn](#): > > I had a co-worker out sick for three days in a row last month, and on the third day, the team lead asked the co-worker to go to the doctor. I didn’t understand … That’s our company’s policy, more than three in a row requires a doctor’s report. I guess it’s just to prevent abuse, like using five in a row to get a week’s vacation without using vacation time. When I call in, I just say, “This is **BlackNGold** , I’m not coming in, mark me down for a sick day”. Like today 😛 No scratchy voice, no guilt. However, my job doesn’t require anyone to pick up my slack, I’ll probably just have to work Saturday to complete my weekly tasks. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2006, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-say-when-you-call-in-sick/349498/40 "2006-03-23T15:37:04Z")
Around here, we are given personal days which are to cover sick and unsceduled time off. If I’m actually sick I will call in and say I am sick and will be out. No details, although I understand sometimes people include them to seem more legit. If I just need a mental health day or personal day, I call in and say I need to take a personal day that day. No problem. In fact, during orientation they said we get these kinds of all-purpose days so that we don’t have make up a story. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-say-when-you-call-in-sick/349498.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-say-when-you-call-in-sick/349498.md?page=3)