How to Text for Sick Leave

When you're under the weather, making a call or composing an email might feel like too much effort. This is why texting to request sick leave has become so common. But is texting your boss for sick leave always the right move? And if you do decide to text, what should you say? To help you, we've gathered expert advice and created a guide that covers everything you need to know, including sample messages you can send to your manager when you're not feeling well.

Inform your boss as early as possible. The sooner you let your boss know, the more time they have to prepare for your absence. If you happen to fall ill on a day you're scheduled to work, it's still okay – just make sure to notify your boss as soon as you can! It's better to inform them in advance rather than wait until the last minute (or after your shift has started).

Share only necessary details. You may feel like explaining every symptom you’re experiencing to show your boss just how sick you are, but don’t. You’re not required to go into detail, and your boss doesn’t need all that information. They just need to know that you’re sick and can’t work today. Keep your message brief, like:

• "I’m feeling really unwell today."
• "Unfortunately, I have the flu."
• "I have a fever, and I think I’m coming down with something."

Reassure your boss that your work will be completed if necessary. If you have tasks to complete during your sick leave, like a shift or leading a meeting, try to ask a colleague to cover for you if possible. Then, let your boss know in your sick leave text that you’ve assigned someone else to take over. They’ll appreciate your proactive approach to handling your workload.

Write a professional message for the workplace. Texting may feel more casual than emailing or calling, but you should still maintain a professional tone when communicating with your boss. Start with a greeting (e.g., Hello, [Name]), and use complete sentences with proper grammar.

Texting for a one-day sick leave: If you only need a day off, let your boss know that you plan to return to work the next day. Try texting:

• "Hi, Hưng. I have a cold and won’t be able to come in today. I’ll be back at the office tomorrow."
• "Hi, Giang. I’m feeling unwell today, so I won’t be coming in. Sơn has agreed to cover my shift until I return tomorrow."
• "Hello, [Name]. I started feeling sick last night, and I’m still not better, so I need to take the day off. I’ll make sure to catch up on everything when I’m back tomorrow."

Texting for extended sick leave: If you feel you need to take more than one day off, try to inform your boss in advance when sending your text. You could write something like:

• "Hi, Liên. Unfortunately, I have a severe flu. I think I’ll need to take the rest of the week off. I’ve asked Minh to cover for me. I’ll be back at work on Monday."
• "Hi, Phương. I have stomach flu and am feeling very unwell. I’ll likely need to take today and tomorrow off. I plan to return to work on Friday."
• "Hi, [Name]. I’m running a high fever and feel exhausted. I’ll need a few days to recover. I hope to be back on Thursday. Dung has agreed to lead the team meeting in my place."

Texting for sick leave when unsure of when you'll return: If you're sick and unsure when you'll be well enough to return to work, let your boss know that you're uncertain but will keep them updated on your recovery. Try texting something like:

• "Hi, Bình. I’m feeling very unwell today and can’t work. I hope to be back online tomorrow, but I’m not sure. I’ll keep you posted."
• "Hi, Trà. I developed a fever last night and still don’t feel well this morning. I may need a few days off, but I’ll keep you updated. Sang will help train the new staff until I return."
• "Hi, [Name]. I have a doctor’s appointment today because I’ve been feeling sick recently. I hope to recover soon and be back in a few days. I’ll update you as soon as I know more."

This depends on your relationship with your boss and their preferences. If you and your boss regularly text each other, texting to request sick leave shouldn’t be a problem. On the other hand, if texting isn’t common between you and your boss, it might be better to call or email for safety. Many department heads (and companies) have specific rules about requesting sick leave that you must follow.

• If you’re unsure, you could ask your boss what they prefer. After letting them know you can’t make it to work, you can add: "In the future, would it be okay for me to text for sick leave, or should I call or email?"
• Some people prefer receiving sick leave notifications via text because it’s quicker and more efficient than a call or email. Ultimately, it depends on what your boss prefers!