Do You Really Need an Excuse to Rest?

How to call in sick with honesty, confidence, and zero guilt

Question: Calling in sick? What’s the best way to go about it?

The art of calling in sick is really a matter of respect—both for yourself and for your workplace. It’s not about clever excuses or Oscar-worthy performances. It’s about knowing when to step away, owning that decision, and giving your team what they need to carry on without you.

So, what’s the best way?

Simple. Honest. Professional.

“I’m not feeling well and won’t be able to make it in today.”
That one sentence is enough. No theatrics. No over-explanations. No fake coughing over the phone. Because here’s the truth: if you’re unwell, mentally or physically, that’s valid. And a company worth working for will know that your well-being isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity.

Think of your sick day as a reset. Not just for your health, but for your boundaries. Over-explaining can become a symptom of deeper discomfort with permission—permission to rest, to recover, to exist outside the productivity wheel for a day or two. But you don’t need to prove your pain. You don’t need to earn rest.

Of course, being responsible helps. If possible, notify your manager early, hand off any urgent tasks, and—if your workplace uses it—send a short confirmation email or log it through HR systems. This protects your time and avoids unnecessary confusion. It shows accountability without apology.

There are also those who get creative: “explosive diarrhea” seems to be the internet’s universal sick pass. No one questions it. But beneath the humor is a shared understanding: people just want to be trusted.

The most important lesson here? Be direct. You’re not asking for a day off. You’re taking one.