let's face it unfortunately we all get sick from time to time did you know that according to one
recent study at least 43 percent of adults in the U.S took at least one sick day from
work or school within the past year in today's video I'll show you how to call in sick for work
we'll go over what information to share and what not to say as well
by the way if you like this topic you'd like our free training improve your accent in seven minutes
visit the link in the description to get it
okay let's jump into what you need to know to call in sick to work in English
first get straight to the point let your supervisor know why you're contacting them
don't chit chat or make small talk to begin the conversation Instead try one of these phrases
unfortunately I woke up sick this morning or I woke up feeling unwell this morning
or I'm a little under the weather today under the weather is an English idiom that means
you're not feeling well next it's okay to give a brief description of your illness the key is
to keep this part short and to the point don't get too many unpleasant details would you want
to hear a wrong description including all the yucky details of your employees stomach virus
instead keep it simple and truthful here are some examples make sure you choose the
one that is accurate for your situation I woke up with a high fever and cough
or I have a bad sore throat and a headache or I think I have a stomach bug
the word bug is sometimes used to refer to a virus or upset stomach
after you let your boss know that you're sick be clear that you will not be coming into
work that day don't leave your employer guessing about what your intentions are
or thinking that you might be in later Instead try one of these direct phrases
unfortunately I'll have to take a sick day today or I'm afraid I won't be in today
next acknowledge your work responsibilities and apologize for the inconvenience
when my team members told me that they would be out sick I always appreciated
their acknowledgment of the work they would be missing don't apologize for being sick we all
get sick from time to time no need to feel guilty about that Instead try a phrase like one of these
I'm sorry for the inconvenience please feel free to email me if you have any urgent questions or
I'm sorry that this adds to the already busy day for everyone else
or I had planned to complete insert work task here today
I will be sure to get that done as soon as I'm back or simply I apologize for the inconvenience
finally let your supervisor know what your plans are don't make unrealistic promises
about when you will return or leave them wondering when they'll hear from you again
instead set the expectation for what happens next with something like this
I think it'll be okay to return tomorrow or I'm not sure if I'll be
better by tomorrow I will call or email you first thing in the morning to let you know
or I'll visit my doctor and let you know my plans for tomorrow by the end of the day
now let's practice each part start to finish unfortunately I woke up sick this morning
I have a bad sore throat and a headache
I'm afraid I won't be in today
I'm sorry for the inconvenience please feel free to email me if you have any urgent questions
I'm not sure if I'll be better by tomorrow
I will call or email you first thing in the morning to let you know
if you're making a phone call you might speak directly with your employer or leave
this message in a voicemail you might also send this message in an email depending on
your company policy for calling in sick if you're speaking with them directly
they will acknowledge what you said and hopefully wish you to feel better soon
this is a good time to thank them for their well wishes and understanding something like thank you
for understanding or thank you very much for your patience that's it I hope you don't need to use
this lesson anytime soon but if you do you'll be able to call in sick to work with confidence
given world events this is a much needed English speaking practice topic have you
been sick recently practice telling me you can't come to your work or English class in the comments
let's pretend and practice do you have any questions about calling
in sick or suggestions for other phrases we could use leave them in the comments
remember to check the link in the description for a special free accent training
thanks for watching you're in the right place for improving your English fluency bye until next time