When Is It Okay To Use A Sick Day

When Is It Okay To Use A Sick Day Sick days are an important asset of working life that help keep employees safe. There are plenty of times when using a sick day should be a no-brainer. If you have a case of the flu or food poisoning, the obvious answer is yes, stay home and heal. But what about the gray areas when you arent actually ill but are having second thoughts about going to work that ansturm way deeper than a case of the Monday Blues?Its not okay to use a sick day when1.You Need More Time on A ProjectIf you are running behind on finishing a project and you use a sick day, youll just end up causing yourself mora stress and leave room for questions. In this case, its best to be honest with your boss and say the project is taking longer than expected. It could also indicate that you need more help with the project or should have more time in the future. Outright deception can hurt your boss, yourself, and even your career.2. Youre Going to An EventIf you just received tickets o r an invitation to a special vorstellung and are considering playing sick, definitely think before you make that phone call. There are many ways that your boss or coworkers could discover your indiscretion. From a wayward social media slip to a friend of a friend seeing you, skipping work for fun is a gamble you dont want to make.3. The Weather Is GrossWhen its raining cats and dogs, the last thing you want to deal with is the morning commute, but if your sick days begin to coincide with unfortunate weather forecasts, the office will begin to talk. Invest in a solid pair of rain boots and a sturdy umbrella, and skip the sick day excuse.4. You Have a Hair AppointmentIf you call out of work for a cosmetic appointment, dont be surprised when your coworkers or boss eye you suspiciously after you show up with a fresh mani or your split ends have miraculously vanished. Schedule a weekend appointment or take a personal day in advance.Its okay to use a sick day when1. Youre Burnt OutIf you feel like youre on the verge of snapping because youre so stressed out, you could end up being more of a liability than an asset to your company. Unchecked exasperation is unhealthy, and taking a day to relax and center yourself means that when you return youll be better able to contribute to your team.2. You Need to Take Care of Someone ElseStaying home to care for someone youre responsible for should never be a source of guilt. If a loved one who depends on you for help isnt well, using a sick day to look after them is completely acceptable.3. You Have A Medical AppointmentI used to feel guilty about using sick days for doctor appointments. I appear to be healthy, but I have an autoimmune disorder that requires close monitoring and regular specialist visits. Whether you need to see a specialist every week or just have a basic dental check-up, keeping medical appointments is imperative to your overall wellbeing. Taking time to make sure all is well is always worth it.4. Youre Griev ingTaking a mental health day is a completely valid reason to use a sick day.BuzzFeed reported that 19-year-old college student Rachel Harriman confessed to her professor that she was turning in an assignment late after her boyfriend unexpectedly broke up with her. Some commenters supported Rachel while others wrote that her professor should have been tougher. My take is that life happens, and when people show humanity, we are all better for it. If you have experienced a loss or serious setback that put you off balance to the point where youre unableto focus on doing your job, youre better off staying home. If the issue is impacting you long term, consider contacting the appropriate channels about taking a bereavement leave.If you need to call in sick, check out our guide on the right way to call out of work.--Kayla Heisler is an essayist and PushcartPrize nominatedpoet. She is a contributing writer for Color My Bubble. Her work appears in New Yorks Best Emerging Poets anthology.