sick days

USAGE SUMMARY

"sick days" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to refer to days when one takes time off of work or school due to illness. For example, "I had to use three sick days last week when I came down with the flu."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Sickness absence days and sick days were used as synonyms in the study.

BMC Health Services Research

Sick days alone are worth a few hundred dollars per day per employee.

TechCrunch

Sick days are for wimps.

Independent

Sick days are nonexistent.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Does she, I ask, have sick days?

The New York Times

I don't take sick days.

The Guardian - Books

Ditto for sick days at work.

The New York Times - Tech

Re "Health Aides Who Get Sick Days?

The New York Times

Older workers take less sick days.

The New York Times

"They take sick days," he said.

The New York Times

Lifting productivity up, keeping sick days down.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, consider using "medical leave" or "health-related absence" for a more professional tone, especially when referring to extended periods of absence.

Common error

Don't assume that "sick days" automatically cover all types of medical appointments. Specify whether it includes routine check-ups, mental health days, or caring for sick family members.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sick days" functions primarily as a noun phrase, referring to a specific allocation of time off from work or school that an individual is entitled to use when they are ill. As seen in Ludwig, it often appears in discussions of employment benefits and workplace policies.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sick days" is a common noun phrase denoting authorized absences from work or school due to illness. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across diverse contexts, including news media, business, and scientific publications. While primarily neutral in tone, its usage often involves discussions about employment policies, employee rights, and work-life balance. For alternative phrasing, options include "paid sick leave" or "medical leave", depending on the specific nuance desired. Remember to clarify the terms and conditions of "sick days" in company policies to avoid misunderstandings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

days of sick leave

Specifies the type of leave being taken.

paid sick leave

Focuses on the aspect of compensation during time off for illness.

medical leave

A broader term that includes leave for medical reasons beyond just sick days.

days off due to illness

More explicitly describes the reason for taking days off.

absence due to sickness

Emphasizes the absence from work or school because of sickness.

time off for being unwell

A more general and less formal way of referring to sick days.

illness-related absence

Highlights the connection between the absence and the illness.

health-related time off

A broader term that includes any time off related to health, not just illness.

absence for medical reasons

A formal way to refer to time off for doctor's appointments, medical treatment or procedures

calling in sick

This focuses on the act of informing an employer of a sick day.

FAQs

What is the difference between "sick days" and vacation days?

"Sick days" are specifically for when you are ill and unable to work, while vacation days are for leisure and time off for personal reasons. Some companies combine both into a single paid time off (PTO) bank.

Are employers required to offer paid "sick days"?

Whether employers are required to offer paid "sick days" depends on local and state laws. Many jurisdictions have mandated paid sick leave, but federal law doesn't require it.

What should I do if I don't have enough "sick days"?

If you run out of "sick days", you may need to take unpaid leave, use vacation time, or explore options like short-term disability, depending on your employer's policies and your medical situation.

Can I use "sick days" to care for a sick family member?

Some employers allow "sick days" to be used to care for a sick family member, while others do not. Check your company's policy or relevant state or local laws regarding "paid family leave".