call in sick

USAGE SUMMARY

"call in sick" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you need to inform your employer that you are too ill to come to work. For example: "I'm sorry, I can't come into work today. I'm going to have to call in sick."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Hundreds of thousands of employees are expected to call in sick as the weather gets colder.

Independent

They even call in sick less often.

Forbes

To quit work or call in sick, call work, than "quit job", or "call in sick".

WikiHow

"I can call in sick".

The New Yorker

Call in sick.

The Washington Post

You can't call in sick.

The New York Times - Food

At last we can call in sick.

The Guardian - Opinion

And suicide bombers don't call in sick.

The New York Times

Did a Mate call in sick?

The New Yorker

Cousins fill in for cousins who call in sick.

The New York Times

"Some days, I'd just have to call in sick," she said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

If possible, provide advance notice when you know you will need to "call in sick", such as for a scheduled medical appointment.

Common error

While it's important to take time off when genuinely ill, avoid abusing sick leave. Frequent, unjustified absences can negatively impact your job security and team morale. Be mindful of company policies and only "call in sick" when truly necessary.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "call in sick" functions as a verb phrase. According to Ludwig, it is considered correct in written English. It's used to inform an employer of one's inability to attend work due to illness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Wiki

24%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Science

7%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "call in sick" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to inform an employer of an employee's inability to work due to illness. Ludwig confirms its validity for written English. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media contexts, as well as in wikis, indicating its widespread understanding and use. To communicate this more formally, you could use alternatives like "report sick leave". When using "call in sick", provide concise information and avoid abusing sick leave policies. Remember to follow your company's procedures for reporting absences. If you're unsure, it's generally better to call your manager directly rather than sending an email.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

phone in ill

Synonymous with "call in sick" but using "ill" instead of "sick".

take a sick day

Focuses on the action of taking a day off due to illness, less formal.

request sick leave

Focuses on the act of requesting time off for medical reasons.

report sick leave

Emphasizes the formal reporting of sick leave, suitable for professional contexts.

be off sick

A common and direct way to state being absent from work due to illness.

inform employer of sickness

Emphasizes the act of informing the employer.

notify absence due to illness

Highlights the act of notifying an absence with a reason, more formal and detailed.

absent oneself due to sickness

A formal way of expressing absence because of illness.

advise of illness

Indicates formally informing someone of your illness.

declare oneself unfit for work

A more formal declaration of being unable to work due to health reasons.

FAQs

How do I properly "call in sick" to work?

Contact your manager as early as possible, preferably by phone. Clearly state that you are unwell and unable to work. Follow your company's specific procedures for reporting sick leave, if any.

What should I say when I "call in sick"?

Keep it simple and direct. For example, "I'm calling to let you know that I'm not feeling well and won't be able to come to work today." You may briefly explain the reason without oversharing personal details.

What's a more formal way to say "call in sick"?

You can use more formal alternatives like "report sick leave" or "notify absence due to illness" especially in written communication.

Is it acceptable to email my boss to "call in sick"?

While it depends on your company's culture, it's generally preferable to call your boss directly. If you must email, ensure it's sent as early as possible and follow up with a phone call if you don't receive a prompt response.