Sick Days: How to Use Them Responsibly

Sick days are a valuable benefit offered by many employers to give their staff paid time off when they are ill. But some people feel uncomfortable calling in sick. A recent report showed 64% of workers experience negative emotions when requesting sick time, including stress, anxiety, guilt, or fear.

But while you may feel guilty not showing up for work, your boss and coworkers would appreciate keeping germs out of the office to reduce the chance of spreading it to others.

It’s important to understand how to take sick leave responsibly to maintain a healthy work environment while making sure that you’re not misusing your sick days.

How Are Sick Days Different from Personal Days?

Both sick days and personal days are benefits provided by employers, but they do differ.

Sick days are intended to be used when you’re truly physically or mentally ill and unable to perform the duties of your job. They can also be used if you have an injury, are hospitalized, or need to undergo surgery.

Personal days, on the other hand, cover you when you need to take a day off for other reasons, such as  a death in the family, the illness of a family member, or jury duty. Some companies also offer specific mental health days that you can use when you need some time to recharge mentally.

How to Use Sick Days Wisely

As an employee, it can be tough to know the proper protocol for taking sick leave when you need to. This is especially true if you’re new at your job. Here are some tips for handling sick days wisely as an employee:

Know your company’s policies

Make sure you understand your company’s sick leave policy. Know how many sick days you’re entitled to take, how you’re required to notify your manager, and whether you are required to provide any sort of documentation.

Notify management early

Be sure to inform your manager that you’ll be taking sick leave as soon as possible. You may not always be able to anticipate needing to take a sick day ahead of time, but the more notice you can provide, the better. With advanced notice, your team will be able to plan for your absence and allocate resources appropriately.

Prioritize genuine illness

You should save your sick days for when you’re truly under the weather and unable to perform the duties of your job, or for when you’re contagious and would put the health of others at risk if you went to work. Try not to use sick days as an extension of paid vacation days.

Be prepared to provide documentation

Some employers may require you to provide documentation, such as a doctor’s note, if you take sick leave. Don’t forget to gather the necessary documentation and be able to provide it when prompted. This shows your employer that you’re responsible and that your sick leave was for a legitimate reason.

Focus on recovering

This is often easier said than done, but do your best to resist the temptation to work remotely during your sick leave. It’s important to set boundaries for yourself when you’re taking time off. Focus on getting better so that you can return to work refreshed and recovered.

Don’t Abuse Your Sick Days

Sick days are a benefit provided when you sign on with your job, but you should only use them when you really need to. Here are tips on how to make sure you are considerate of your coworkers when calling in.

Communicate honestly

When you’re communicating to your manager that you need to take a sick day, be honest. You don’t need to offer unnecessary or personal details, but you should never fake an illness.

Plan medical appointments wisely

Try to plan your doctor’s appointments during non-work hours if you can. This ensures that you don’t need to take unnecessary time away from work.

Consider your team

When taking sick leave, personal days, or vacation days, keep your team in mind. Remember that your absence impacts others. Try to give your team as much notice as you can and be certain they have all the information they need if they’re going to be covering your responsibilities.

Return to work promptly

Return to work as soon as you’re feeling better. If you prolong your absence without a good reason, you begin to abuse your sick days. And this gives your manager a reason not to trust you in the future.

Use Sick Days Wisely

Sick days are a crucial benefit that helps employees maintain work/life balance. Use them responsibly so that you can recover fully while maintaining respect for your colleagues. Remember, if everyone uses their sick days wisely, it’s better for you and your entire organization in the long run.