What is "enough" to call out?

Published

Specializes in Acute Care.

I work tonight and I've only been at my facility ~6mo. All I know about calling out sick is you have to call a min. of 2 hr before start of shift.

Not looking for medical advice but right now I'm plegmy, tired, headache and a low grade temp of 99.7F (I think thats 37.6C?). I didn't know if this would be "enough" to call out... I rarely call out sick unless I am dog sick... The past 5 years I've only called out maybe 3 times from all the jobs I've had and it was because of stomach flu issues. I'm certain no one wanted me around anyway lol.

Has anyone else called out before and been told they can't? Or called out sick and been allowed but was given a lot of crap for it?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

The key is to be short, sweet, and firm. If you waffle they will circle you like sharks.

"I'm sick and won't be in this shift."

Period. No need to give any more info or details than that.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med-Surg.

:yeahthat:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ob/gyn, med surg, or, psych (adult).

Hi, I just say I am sick. A lot of illness are contagious in the stage where you just feel phlemmy and kind of sick and have a low grade temperature. Do every one a favor and call out. Does the hospital care? NO, Do your co-workers care? YES!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

I would just call in sick, don't give them room to argue, or better yet, get your spouse or someone else to call in sick for you (if you think you'll get slack). I am known to call and leave a message when I KNOW that the supervisor went to lunch and is leaving the voice mail on. A few times, I have had my husband call for me as well. There is no reason to accomodate these people if you are not well.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Trauma ICU, Surgical ICU, Medical ICU.

Do them a favor and call out. No one wants to get sick esp your patients. At our hosp you dont have to even give a reason. I would be MORE PO'ed if you came to work and we had to send you home with no time to get a replacement.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Case Management, Home Health, UM.

"I'm not feeling well and won't be in today".

That's ALL they need to know.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency & Trauma/Adult ICU.

Please tell me that as an employed adult, you are not contemplating calling a supervisor or someone else at your workplace and asking "permission" to call off work when you are ill.

You and you alone make the decision about whether or not you are going to work. You do so with the knowledge about your own symptoms, and the knowledge of your employer's policies on absences.

Period.

Caller/employee: "I'm sorry but I'm calling off work today."

Person receiving call: "Thanks for calling, see you tomorrow."

End of story.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Just call off if you are really needing to. Do NOT ask their permission. They are probably too bloody short-staffed and will threaten, beg, plead, try to make deals if they feel weakness, doubt, or guilt on your part.

Just think of it as doing your patients and coworkers a favor, since you won't be giving your illness to them. Think of it as letting your body get well quickly instead of over a longer period of time.

Some employers want to hear from the employee, not from a spouse, unless you are totally unable to call (unconscious, in surgery). Follow the policy so they can't give you any flack.

Do NOT say what is wrong with you unless you want to. You are NOT required to tell your personal biz to your employer.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Tell them you're not feeling well enough to be in, that's enough for that.

HOWEVER, I disagree with others that say "they don't need to know anything else, don't give them any details". At our facility, supervisors will ALWAYS ask "what are your symptoms" or "do you know what you have?" because it's tracked: example--if 15 people call in over 24 hours with the same symptoms, for instance, they realize they may have a health crisis on their hands; they look for signs of an epidemic they need to report to health department.

They aren't allowed to give us grief over it, but they are expected to ask about symptoms or possibly a dx. After that, the phone is hung up.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER.

If you feel so ban that you would rather work than be this sick then call in. And remember it's not a question, or a debate when you call in. Just inform them and say goodbye. I HATE it when people call up wondering what they should do. If I can't see you I don't know, just make a decision already.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion