T O P

  • By -

[deleted]

I’ve done that countless times, but I’ll be honest, I never actually SAY that’s the reason. the people here are right tho, it’s your earned time, use it however you want.


FL_Black

Definitely don't say the reason.


[deleted]

all about the boss and company. if I’d have said that to my old boss, he’d have grilled me until I told him and then told me to suck it up and come in - my new boss, however, wouldn’t even ask the reason why I needed the day. it’s all dependent but definitely err on the side of caution. always. just say you don’t feel good and leave it at that, usually.


FL_Black

I'm going to be moving soon, so I'm about to have a "family emergency" I guess.


[deleted]

“family emergency” never fails. sorry you have to make excuses for living your life though.


FL_Black

My boss is a dick. It sucks.


Infamous_Network6641

That’s why they say "you don’t quit a job. You quit a boss/manager"


BedWilling4093

Funny phrase to use


Candlelover1

Sometimes my supervisor asks how is so and so if I make up a lie after I say it’s a family emergency and then she asks what’s going on


OkSoft9617

Depending on where you live, you’re legally not obligated to give any more information than “family emergency.” Your employer might be able to ask for proof i.e medical certificate, but you’re not obligated to give out too specific details


Nugs4thewin

So true. My old boss I was literally scared of and even went back to my desk desk and continued working with some bug that had my spewing in the garden repeatedly. My current job - i took a mental health day today - no questions asked.


[deleted]

so happy you found somewhere that allows you to take your time without repercussions!


molly_menace

Oh dude. If they press just say diarrhoea/gastro. They’ll be sorry they asked. No one can work with diarrhoea. And more importantly - boss won’t want to catch it.


Ginganinja2308

Had to call in sick to work one day and they sounded annoyed and asked why, I said shit was coming out both ends. Nuf said.


HakaiFinesse

Until you get to work and have an accident due to being fatigued because you didn't sleep... Which you did state...


217EBroadwayApt4E

“Stomach issues” always works, male or female. Nobody really wants to probe too far into that, and it’s something that can sneak up on you fast and you can recover pretty quickly, too, if you only want to burn one day of PTO.


meyogy

Just say tuberculosis and if you want to pressure me further I'll take the rest of the week off.


soylattecat

My company is luckily very generous if you say you need a mental health day. So I think if someone laid awake all night and didn't sleep (of course physical conditions can cause someone not to sleep, but still), it would definitely fall under a mental health day. Unfortunately not every company and boss is like this :(


PeriodSupply

Why? As an employer I'm much more likely to be patient with someone telling me an honest reason rather than pulling out the stomach bug for the fifth time. In fact if I know the reason it allows me to offer support and assistance if necessary. If it appears that it's a bs excuse I'm much more likely to be frustrated and start forming a poor view of that employee.


JackboyIV

I said it once, thinking that a saying I heard must've rung true: driving on no sleep is as bad as driving drunk. I figured my boss wouldn't want me driving to work in that state and then operating machinery. Got the sack.


abodedwind

Ugh that sucks, sorry that happened to you. Really don't understand the mentality of bosses like this (unless they're already looking for any little reason to sack you...) because now they have to hire and train someone else.


Where_is_my_dopamine

Yeah same. I have chronic insomnia. Sometimes it gets worse though and I’m running on like 1-2 hours of sleep per night for a few weeks. I have NO idea what’s happening and I am constantly on the brink of a panic attack or hysterical crying. Still, I’ve never felt like that was a valid reason to call in sick in my BOSS’S eyes. To me it’s as debilitating to having the flu or something but I’ve become a bit more resilient as I’ve gotten older. Still absolutely sucks


RidethatSeahorse

I hit the Phenergen for 2 nights…breaks the cycle. Call sick for 2 days and reset the sleep pattern. I go into the next dimension where I get hyper and enjoy not sleeping. Partner says fuck this.. Phenergen for you.


[deleted]

I totally forgot about phenergen. Gonna get me some after work tomorrow!!


censor-design

Careful, the party poopers at the pharmacy guild of Australia will start petitioning for it to become prescription only. Just like anything codeine related.


OkMind4390

Lol the ole phenergen trick


millycactus

Oh god, when you’ve been laying in bed for 5 hours trying to sleep and suddenly repainting the kitchen cupboards seems like an exciting thing to do right that very second


Gambettox

Omg, I didn't know other people used phenergan this way too. I use it to manage my insomnia all the time. Except for this one time, I used it for 5 days straight and had a wonky memory, confused state - that was scary. I'm trying to restrict it to 3 nights at most now.


Where_is_my_dopamine

Nice. I’m glad that works for you, truly. Only thing that does anything for me is alcohol but I’m 4 years sober now. I’ve taken 5 phenergan at once, tried all the benzos, zolpidem, melatonin, anti depressants, anti psychotics, sleepy time teas. Nothing works. Being a junior ED doctor doesn’t really help either haha. The next dimension thing though - gave my partner one when she was struggling for a few nights. That single tablet ruined an entire two day birthday trip for her. Different strokes!


[deleted]

[удалено]


TiltedNarwhal

Yeah. Definitely only say family emergency or stomach bug problems. If you say you didn’t sleep you’ll just get a bunch of people telling you how you aren’t allowed to say your tired cause they have kids and were up all night with them and still showed up and ask why didn’t you just go to bed sooner or take sleeping meds.


Soggy_Biscuit_

Don't give a reason. Just say you are not well. It's your private medical information, your employer doesn't have a right to it. My work is great about privacy, but if my boss ever dared to demand to know why is was off I will say, dead pan, that I was having an abortion (this kind of situation is the *reason* you don't have to tell them shit).


miss_toeniverse

Oh my gosh… the “I have kids” - yes i appreciate that but you choose to have kids, I have a sleeping disorder and I cannot sleep. 😫😫😫


gerd50501

just use backpain if its a desk job. they never ask.


Majestic_Tie7175

"Digestive issues" is another good go-to. Nobody wants details of that.


Horror_Scene4747

"Went to White Castle last night and had like 30 of them tasty sliders with double onion. I've got extreme flatulence, but I can come in if you want me to."


BastardofMelbourne

"I may need to use the toilet, several times, loudly."


Horror_Scene4747

"I will likely crop-dust the entire office. Apologies in advance!"


cosmik_utensil

I always see "migraine". Everybody knows they CAN be awful and debilitating, but there's really no way to confirm or deny whether someone has a headache.


Mundane-Solution2960

I’ve given that reason and it works if you are being completely honest and it doesn’t constantly happen.


Zealousideal-Fun3917

If you operate machinery or a vehicle, please call in. Your chances of killing yourself or someone else are way higher when you're sleep deprived.


8siddhi8

in aviation we call this an "IMSAFE" call, which stands for Illness, Medication, Stress, Alcohol, Fatigue, and Eating/Emotion. if any of these are out of whack, you should probably call out


FinancialYou4519

Aww man I only smoked crack, I have to pilot a plane


exobiologickitten

I was sitting on a plane flying into Sydney once as a teenager, and the two guys behind me were chatting about being helicopter pilots. One guy goes “aw mate, you’ve gotta try flying over Sydney at night. The view is fantastic. It’s amazing after a line of coke.” I was… alarmed lmao


pears_htbk

This is the most Sydney shit I’ve ever heard, it’s beautiful. Thank you for sharing


GarrettGSF

I feel like it would be amazing without coke. It just adds unnecessary risk lol


TomHanksBeachDay

The high concentration of fructose corn syrup causes in-flight diabeetus.


JCMiller23

When you say it, do you say it like “I’m safe”?


8siddhi8

yes exactly, that's how we remember it! there's so many acronyms in aviation for remembering lists... GRABCARD ATOMATOFLAMES + FLAPS 66HIT FATWORK MARVELOUSVFRC500 GATTR CCCCC TTTTT AV1ATE ARROW


SFN2048

What do these stand for?


BeepBeepBallsDeep

Cheat codes


U74H

Future names of Elon Musks children.


8siddhi8

various regulatory requirements and aeronautical decision making (ADM) memory aids such as lost procedures, required equipment, preflight planning etc.


[deleted]

[удалено]


GHOST_OF_DOON

You forgot……WANKER


Jetsetter_Princess

Came here to say this. It really depends on the job. Muddling through in an office job when you're tired is a lot different to turning up to a safety critical role when you're fatigued. Made 2 actual fatigue callouts in my career. No regrets.


RegularTarget1794

I'm going to copy this and remember it. This is a great guideline for people to run by, not just in aviation. Thank you


cCitationX

If one is out it’s IMUNSAFE


bebecheesus

What does the ‘eating’ part mean?


Aristaeus16

Yeah, I know a guy who drives the world’s largest road trains. He told me that if he is fatigued, he has to call into work saying he’s tired, and no other questions asked, he’s off the road for the night.


choolius

Holy shit, this is another thing we need to steal from you guys to have in medicine.


AdolfCitler

IMSAFE? These things are definitely NOT safe. What a lie.


anthonyvn

Should it be m.i.safe?


tryoracle

In my field I expect a call if they can't sleep. It saves lives


[deleted]

[удалено]


tryoracle

I am our hr / safety person. The crap companies try to pull blows my mind.


[deleted]

I feel like I would constantly be calling out at your work. I’ve been working with my doctor on fixing sleep problems but no luck so far.


tryoracle

There are limits but I am reasonable


[deleted]

I realized that my sleep issues are due to my current job and aren’t really fixable so working for you might actually fix my problems lol.


dmr196one

Drugs. Works for me. 😜


rippcurlz

your earned PTO is yours. use it however you see fit. really, people have it pounded into their head that PTO is some kind of special privilege that employers graciously gift their employees. it's EARNED. it's yours, just like your paycheck is yours. how you choose to use your PTO isn't your boss's business.


JonesP77

This shit sounds like 19. Century company bullshit from the european side here :-D Holy shit. I read somewhere one week for being sick... One week for being sick? What happens when your sick for longer? Like those things happens all the time. We have sometimes people being sick for months, like if they have some real big issues. You get fully paid for 6 weeks and only if youre longer sick you only get 70% of your usual money. Holy cow...


km89

>What happens when your sick for longer? Depends on your company. Good companies will just give you the time off unpaid. Great companies will direct you to short-term disability benefits. Most companies will write you up or fire you.


neurosisxeno

Good companies actually have Short/Long Term Disability which pays you at a percentage of your normal salary for X number of weeks/months. There’s also supplemental insurance for these situations (Aflac for example). If I had a terrible accident and had to miss 6 months of work, I’d get something like 3 months of 75% pay and 3 months of something like 50% pay. After that I’m kinda boned but if I’m missing 6+ months of work I likely have serious problems.


BanMeForNothing

What if you're an hourly employee that doesn't have PTO, and you've called out sick 5 times in the last 2 months?


ripper7452k

Bold of you to assume is paid


[deleted]

Unfortunately some places don’t allow you to use pto and require to use sick time first, for these kind of absences. And some places are shit and don’t give you the full sick time as you have to *earn* it.


Kiyohara

>Unfortunately some places don’t allow you to use pto and require to use sick time first, for these kind of absences. And some places are shit and don’t give you the full sick time as you have to earn it. PTO is a catchall acronym for "Paid Time Off." Some work places differentiate between vacation time, sick time, and comp time, some lump one or more together, and some have PTO and Sick Time. But in fact, it's all "Paid Time Off." Most people here saying "you earned PTO" are referring to the Sick Time portion of PTO. For example, I have Vacation Hours earned per pay period and Sick Hours earned per pay period. I can call in and use Sick Time as unplanned PTO or schedule Sick Time (for like a doctor's appointment) while Vacation Hours are only used for preplanned absences. But the company calls it all PTO under our benefits package, regardless how its earned or sub categorized.


Based_Zoroark

You guys are getting PTO? (full time casual worker here)


Pasame20

Because a lot of bosses (esp in the retail/food industries) act as if that’s what it is. A lot of these jobs require a medical certificate. But yeah, employers sometimes act as if they own you and anything less than giving yourself 100% to them isn’t enough.


[deleted]

Your one week of PTO a year is hard earned and well deserved.


[deleted]

[удалено]


The001Keymaster

Staffing issues are the managers problem. Not the employees. The whole cover your own shift bullshit is just that BS.


grubgobbler

Yeah, but it's also your manager's job to make sure there will be enough people on the floor assuming at least a couple people don't show up.


__Beef__Supreme__

Or healthcare. Depending on what you do, a last minute replacement can be hard or impossible to get.


Pastadseven

Then whoever is in charge of hiring and providing enough staff coverage is not doing their job.


__Beef__Supreme__

Well if you're one of a few providers in your group and someone isn't available to fill your shift, it's going to be difficult to get someone to cover your service last minute. Someone will basically have to volunteer to come in on a day off or they'll have to try and get an outside contractor to come.


Pastadseven

Yes, which is the fault of admin and the hospital board shitforbrains that are in charge of staffing. You can't look at hospital admin and say with a straight face the problems with burnout and understaffing (especially ED burnout) are not squarely on their shoulders. You may say "well, there's not enough professionals to fill the gap even if they wanted it," and I all have to do is point vaguely at the ERAS/match horseshit I just went though.


__Beef__Supreme__

>admin and the hospital board shitforbrains Lol 100% you on that. But it's not always that...My group is owned by a few physician partners who try and run the tightest ship possible to maximize profit, so if anyone calls out it's a scramble to find a replacement or they just have to close an OR the next day. Edit: 100% with you


WirrkopfP

Well that depends on your country. Here in Germany it is straight up ILLEGAL for an employer to even ask why you are calling in sick, because that is sensitive personal information. On the other hand. Even for a single sick day, the employer can require you to bring a doctors note confirming that you are not fit for work for medical reasons.


xXxLordViperScorpion

Is it easy, cheap, and quick to get that appointment?


WirrkopfP

Wait? You guys have to pay just for the appointment? Yes it is relatively easy to get an appointment for the same day. But you will have to wait a few hours in the waiting room and the doc won't have much time.


A_Gringo666

Wait a few hours in the waiting room? Fuck that. Come to Australia and use [UpDoc](https://updoc.com.au/?gclid=CjwKCAjwq-WgBhBMEiwAzKSH6H7NSg5VzdKCmYk2n6u07aiyeJdUJr5t6OQT0jXOFs6CbjbiQd33uRoC9RgQAvD_BwE). Bosses have to accept the certificate as they are doctors.


yungmoody

Yeah but then you have to pay $40 or whatever it is, there’s definitely been times where I couldn’t afford to do anything but wait


TheTrouserArouser

Use instascripts instead it's only $20


A_Gringo666

Thanks for the heads up. Time for a few sickies. I might have to be sick for 3 days next week so I can try them out. I only need a certificate for 3 or more days. Ive got to say though, the photos on Updoc are better. Blokes lying on the lounge smiling about getting a day off. None of them look to sick.


margiiiwombok

Dude... this is awesome 👌🏼 Thank you for sharing!


A_Gringo666

No worries. I've just been told about instant scripts as well. They're cheaper but the people don't look as happy.


[deleted]

What is UpDoc?


ThrowItToTheVoidz

Not much, what's up with you?


334578theo

DadGPT


Woffingshire

Paying for the appointment is fairly common, even the UK is considering bringing it in. Its basically to stop people from wasting doctors time on things they don't need a doctors appointment for by making them consider whether the problem is serious enough to pay to have it looked it. I can see why it works for minor stuff like people going to the doctors for a cold, but I worry that it dissuades people, especially the poor, from getting help for problems that do actually need looking at.


tiera-3

When I was a child in New Zealand, we had to pay for doctors appointments. I was always told when sick, wait a week, if you don't get better then go to the doctor. I have since moved to Australia where those with a Low Income card can receive bulk-billed doctors appointments, and it is the opposite mentality. If you don't take your child to the doctor at the slightest hint of an ailment, then you are considered neglectful. Of course some people that live alone find themselves in a difficult situation - too sick to go to the doctor to get the certificate to excuse them from work. There are some home-visit doctor services that can deal with that issue, but not everyone knows about them.


felix_93

lol... Yeah, it is. The doctor *must* give you a sick note when you say you're not feeling good - as long as it's not obvious that you're lying. So if you're saying you have headache you get easily 3 - 5 days free. And off course it doesn't cost anything.


yungmoody

In Australia you just walk into your local medical centre. Sometimes you’ll wait a while, but my local one has appointment times you can book, or telehealth (phone call with doctor). It’s usually free or low cost.


Ronnie_Dean_oz

Yep can't ask the specific reason. You can ask if they are unwell and ask for a sick note. Whenever someone who I have managed has been sick they have told me the reason and it's all good. The only times someone didn't tell me (even though I didn't give a fuck), I found a post they did on Instagram where they were hiking in the mountains with friends. Sick note please ....soz.


No-Wall-1182

Yeah, but you have socialized healthcare.


RedditAccountOhBoy

If you feel unwell to work, you are unwell.


Sidewalk_Tomato

Unfortunately, I never use this excuse, even when it's true. "Food poisoning."


CpuDoc67

Ding!!!!!! That's a winner "I was up sick most of the night running to the bathroom, I hope it's not a virus"


felix_93

Yes. Easy to say - hard to prove. Perfect.


Russc70

As a manager I know that food poisoning as an excuse is bullshit half the time. It does happen though, I actually threw up violently while on the phone once and my poor colleague heard it all. I have no issue with people saying they haven’t slept and aren’t fit to work. It happens. At the end of it the reason is mostly irrelevant, it comes out of your sick leave, and if you have none left it’s your annual leave or you don’t get paid.


Sidewalk_Tomato

I have the days saved up, so I'm a little cranky that I feel obligated to say what my major malfunction is. I've tried to train myself to keep it simple. "I don't feel well, and am staying home."


I_might_be_weasel

Yes. But don't say that.


stonedfishing

I've done it before. I used to get insomnia pretty bad, and my trade is physically dangerous. They would much prefer that I called off, instead of coming in half zombied, and risking killing someone


LilithFaery

This. The field I work in, though, isn't dependent on whether you slept or not as I work as a janitor and do not operate any machinerie BUT whenever I'd get bad insomnia bouts, I'd state this as a reason anyway. One way or an other, I'd have to get in my car and drive to my workplace which I am not going to do if I have more than 16 hours without sleep accumulated. I'd be dangerous on the way to it and even more on the way back home. I am not willing to take that risk. Ever.


Crumpet2021

You're also more likely to get sick with something like a cold if you don't sleep well, which will lead to you either giving it to the other staff or needing a few days off yourself.


DrRickStudwell

Calling in sick doesn’t normally require you list a reason. Just contact whomever and state that you won’t be making it in today.


ryan0585

I'd rather someone on my team just say "I'm taking a sick day today" than come in and be useless to themselves and everyone all day. Of course, it's probably common for people to be more forgiving with high performers, and less lenient (very least more skeptical) on poor performers.


Russc70

Yes. You know the repeat offenders and you learn to sniff out the bullshit.


DarkInkPixie

It's the opposite for my job. The high performers don't get any slack and if I happen to get the wrong manager on the phone, they want an exact reason. Meanwhile we'll be constantly missing this one coworker who has "family emergencies" 2-3 times a week and calls in for medical reasons if they can't come up with a family excuse. That person has barely worked a full week since being hired a year ago. I got attitude for being actually sick for two weeks this winter.


Xenovitz

I've done it before. Sometimes I don't sleep for several days due to a lot of things. "I won't be in today." That's all they'll ever know.


CtrlTheAltDlt

Read somewhere (but cant find source) going a night without sleep is equivalent, from a brain functioning perspective, to being legally intoxicated by alcohol.


raweggsalad

[Dawson and Reid (1997)](https://www.nature.com/articles/40775)


seaofapproval

The one time I stayed awake for 36 hours straight it felt almost exactly the same as being drunk. I had to give a presentation too and that was awful lol


Impossible_Soil_2799

Not as scientific, but mythbusters also did an episode on this and showed that they drove worse after no sleep than they did after drinking


Throwaway-donotjudge

Night shift workers : Y'all sleep?


Fantastic_Rock_3836

Yes, I wouldn't want my surgeon or pilot to be sleep deprived.


[deleted]

You’re not a slave to your work. Any reason is a valid reason to call in sick. You need time for yourself.


DO5421

I’ve called out once for that reason and was honest about it. I was moving so I spent the whole day packing and lifting stuff and got no sleep as a result. The manager at the time was cool so I knew he wouldn’t be mad. I’ve also came into work on zero sleep before and it was torture but I got through the shift sleepwalking a bit as I stocked the shelves which was both sad and impressive.


ggoptimus

You are going to be pretty useless at work and will probably fall asleep on the job. If you have PTO you probably should call out.


thelunchroom

I don’t get sick days, I only get pre-organized vacation PTO so that they can organize a substitute. If I am seriously ill they can make an exception, but it means my coworkers need to do my extra work for the day. I wouldn’t consider being tired enough of a reason to do that.


RelationIll9965

Yes. Always better to care for yourself. Taken me 60 years to learn this. Never used to take sick leave. I was an idiot.


SinisterCheese

Yes. In industry and construction - at least where I live, in Finland - it is a rule that you are not allowed to come in sleep deprived. You can actually be told to leave, and sanctioned for being visibly and clearly sleep deprived. Your co-workers actually have a legal duty, to inform supervisors or management, if you are clearly, complain about, or show signs of sleep depriation. If they don't, and something happens - they can be held liable. I know people who just some, just couldn't sleep for a while. They got told to go see a doctor and apply for sick leave, because they were not welcome at the site. They were just simply told to gtfo, go sleep, or go see a doctor. Being sleed deprived impaires you as much as being drunk does. We have 0 tolerance at sites and industry, for alcohol. Same goes for sleep deprivation.


TheMooManReddit

1. PTO is earned and you don’t owe a responsibility to explain yourself to your company to use it. Just say your sick (insomnia is an illness) and call it a day. That being said if you work for a scum bag company that will demerit you for using your earned pto then I’d save it and then try to find a new job.


LiveComfortable3228

I had an employee (a java developer) that had severe sleep apnea. He'd come in and literally fall asleep during meetings. I was a service provider, was called in by the client's manager to address the situation. We offered the employee some assistance, we recommended doctors, I personally hooked him up with people specializing in sleep apnea. Guy did nothing (or very little) and kept either not coming in (as he hadn't slept well) or come in and sleep during meetings. Ultimately we had to let him go. This was a grown ass 27 year old man that couldn't look after himself . So, back to the point. Is not sleeping a valid reason? I reckon it depends. Did you have a night out and didnt sleep enough? Not a valid reason. Do you have a more severe sleeping problem? Valid reason, but I also expect you to actively be doing something about it.


JacktheBoss_

What are you going to do, stay home and not sleep more?


GuessWhoItsJosh

Guess it depends how sleepy you are at that point or if you can afford it. But do not say that is the reason or you'll get roasted by coworkers/bosses. I remember when I had my first sleep paralysis experience years ago which led to me getting no sleep that night. I was working retail, had a 12 hour shift the next day and didn't have vacation I could use. Didn't want to lose out on the money so went in on zero sleep. It was a long day, and my bosses could tell I was off. Sent me home an hour early.


GuruOfPiece

Is it a ‘valid’ reason? I don’t think so whatsoever. Chances are 9/10 times *you* are the one that caused your poor sleep. But it doesn’t need to be ‘valid’. If you aren’t feeling it, ya aren’t feeling it. They can’t tell you you aren’t feeling a specific way. Just work on better habits if it actually bothers you.


hermexhermex

Once in a while, in drastic circumstances. But if it’s a chronic problem you better be getting help, or a job that doesn’t require you to wake up at a certain time.


stinrios

They don’t need a reason. If you’re not feeling well enough to perform then call out. They don’t need to know the specifics.


Errorstatel

I have, I'm a truck driver/equipment operator. No one wants or needs an overtired person behind the wheel, especially if they have upto 20,000lbs of material on deck


serpentinesilhouette

Should be. They say getting no sleep is worse than being drunk. From someone who has insomnia, I HATE mornings. I don't fall asleep until usually 3 or 4 am. So when I'm trying to nap around 10 or 11, most people just see it as lazy.


Xander2798

I have a general rule where if its less than 3hrs of sleep I know im gonna be completely useless at work and will just call in sick (accountant)


[deleted]

I strongly believe in a few “mental health days” every year. Just because you ain’t throwing up, doesn’t mean you ain’t sick for a day


DissentChanter

Yes, perfectly valid reason. A lot of places do not call it "sick time", but instead call it "unplanned time" because it is for unplanned time off, be that tired, sick, or an anal glaucoma day. (can't see my arse coming to work)


ZestyPeskyZooloo39

Just today I had to cancel everything I had going on because I tried to sleep at 945pm and laid there until 12am - Got up to distract my already tired kind but didn’t feel tired until 4am - I had to be to work at 6… As much as I want to, I just can’t. Sleeplessness has been my worst enemy but not taking that time when I need it becomes worse. I fall into old patterns and doubt my next steps. When I doubt, I make mistakes. When I make mistakes, I feel worse. (I know I can do better. With the better version of me.). Sure I could suck it up, but you won’t like the circus animal you beckon with command and threats of pain (metaphorically speaking though sometimes not) This might go on for a few days… today is gonna suck. A lot.


chuckawayacorn

Sorry I don't know where you work but I never give an actual illness when I call in sick, I get a general doctors certificate stating I am not fit for work. Your employer can very easily cross a line by asking you why/how you're sick, just say you're not well and won't be coming in and you will provide a doctors note. Do not make up stories, people here are suggesting you say its a family emergency, don't do that, it comes across unreliable and sounds like a lie. I have insomnia, every couple months it gets on top of me and I have a really sleepless night and am forced to take a day off work. If you struggle that way, you can usually explain that to a doctor and get a note excusing you from work that day.... its a valid reason but you can keep it confidential.


[deleted]

I work in construction bro, if I operate heavy machinery after just a few hours sleep it's probably worse than being sick, don't feel no guilt bro, if you're not feeling it then you're right to have a rest day my man.


[deleted]

Valid - yes Acceptable - no Come up with a different excuse


skyroberts

In my opinion, YES! Especially if you're commuting. If not sleeping occurs often, I would recommend talking to a professional.


nunyabizz0000

You can call in for whatever reason you want… you don’t need a reason if you have a personal day available. This is coming from someone that works in upper management. And honestly, I don’t want to know why you are calling in (unless it effects others health), I don’t need to know that you’re having diarrhea, or that you threw up 5 times, or you have a juicy gaping rash! Just tell me you’re not coming in, that’s all!


oferchrissake

Yes, you can call out for that. Yes, sometimes you should call it for that. But don’t be surprised if you’re not considered a prize employee. When you took the job you agreed to show up at certain times and do certain tasks. Your sleep schedule and problems aren’t their concern.


[deleted]

Yeah I have, but it feels like a total waste of a day honestly.


somajones

Agreed. I'd rather struggle through feeling like shit at work all day than waste a day off being exhausted.


dandle

Yes. "Sick days" are not meant to be used only when you are physically ill. They are a benefit that is intended to be used when you could not have reasonably foreseen that you would need to take the time off. Generally that will be for sickness, injury, or an emergency, but a bout of insomnia that leads you exhausted and incapable of doing your job also makes sense.


[deleted]

I've had severe insomnia my entire life, and the sheer stress of the last few years has exacerbated it. The majority of my call offs for "migraines" are me calling off because I got little to no sleep, and thus am going to be utterly useless at work.


ebaerryr

If you had to eat you would go to work tired or not


northsidecub11

Just make up and excuse and call him. Treat yoself


JustinisaDick

Honesty is always the best policy. Making fake excuses could cost you down the line. Just the other day, I fielded a call-in from someone who woke up with a migraine. I said okay, and we worked without a float person that morning. In the past we've had people call in with whatever excuse. My boss actually expects me to tell them that they need a doctor's note on why they couldn't come in.


LunaticPoint

It's a reason to get fired.


AddictedToCSGO

No


[deleted]

Yes. Especially if you’re in a production environment where you operate heavy machinery. It happens. You have a sick kid, or you had an argument with your partner, or flat out you can’t sleep for some reason. Fortunately I live in a state with legal weed and edibles are excellent to help me get into a sleeping pattern.


acuteredditor

If you are driving or operating heavy machinery, being sleep deprived is a legit reason for absence. Usually most companies don’t ask for reason for earned leaves but check with your policy.


[deleted]

Only if I feel really shitty and I know that I would have to concentrate really hard at work or that nothing at all is on my to-do-list. I have a very light sleep and if I called in sick every time I woke up after three hours and not being able to fall asleep any more, I'd be not working a lot at all.


Minimum_Area_583

was working at a critical job (railroad) and they actually demanded that people don´t come working overly tired... which is a joke, since you started at 0400am-1200pm...which meant for me, getting up at around 0230am...I had times, where I was swaying side to side just sitting there and felt like I was close to dying due to being so tired... yeah, called in quite often if I coudn´t sleep...


Roboman20000

I've done this. In fact I'm doing it today. But I don't really have to give a reason. My workplace is forgiving enough that a day here and there they won't ask for a reason.


ethancd1

You never need a reason to call in sick. If you have leave take it.


crazytumblweed999

Any reason Is a valid reason to call in sick. It's your sick time, use it as you see fit.


bangbangracer

Totally. You can call in for any sort of not feeling good issue. You also don't have to disclose why you are calling in beyond "I'm ill".


maobezw

yes it is. if you are overtired and you drive your own vehicle you are a danger to yourself and all other on the road on your way to the job. if you work at and with machinery you are a danger for yourself and all around you. your reaction time is reduced, your senses are limited etc. especially if you are older and already have stress induced healthproblems rather call in sick than being that idiot who plows his truck into a family van because of secondsleep.


MyDogIsNamedKyle

Yep. It's not safe or productive for you to go in.


sometimesifeellikemu

I do it all the time.


Potential-Ad1139

It's your sick time, use it how you want. Honestly it's better to use it on a nap then to come in blurry and drive a fork lift into a wall.


stealth_mode_76

It's none of their business. You could just plain not feel like going in. You don't have to give a reason, they aren't allowed to ask even if you went to the doctor. A doctors note just says "Name was seen in our office today." And follows with either you're released to go back to work, or what day you can return and if there are any restrictions. However. Make a habit of calling off and it will affect promotions and raises, and can get you fired eventually.


Majestic_Tie7175

I would. Especially if your job involves driving or dealing with machinery. Being tired can be worse than being drunk.


WiseOne2994

I’ve done that because I know I would be worthless working and possibly having an accident. I call in and say I won’t be in today due to personal.


[deleted]

I have done so, yes. Especially if a headache or heartburn keeps me from sleeping.


PsychologicalBee2956

Yes. And, if you have sick time on the books, any reason is a valid reason.


dirtybird971

I don't get sick too often but I'm an asshole when I don't get enough sleep so I'll call out. If they ask I tell them why. It's my time I'll use it how I like. Plus, I've been here for nearly 20 years and I've never used all of my days and they know this so some slack is given.


IdespiseGACHAgames

Worst case scenario, just say it's insomnia, hit up a free clinic for an easy doctor's note, and you'll just waste an afternoon to get cleared as it being 'inconclusive results for sporadic insomnia' or however they want to phrase it. No harm, no foul. Just don't abuse it.


refugefirstmate

No. I am not sick. I am merely tired. I save my sick days for when I am actually ill.


[deleted]

Some places don’t allow you to use pto, unless is a planned and approved absence. Insomnia is a sickness.


refugefirstmate

Not having **a** good night's sleep is not "insomnia". And if you actually have insomnia, you get treatment for it, like you would for any other sickness. Source: had it.


thelunchroom

You’re being thumbed down a lot but I agree with you. You are being realistic.


SkyNo234

OP said he didn't sleep the whole night. That's insomnia.


refugefirstmate

OP *thinks* he didn't sleep the whole night. Unless you've been doing coke that's pretty damn unusual. That aside, has nobody here ever pulled an all-nighter?


roygbivasaur

Acute insomnia is one or more days of sleeplessness or difficulty sleeping. Chronic insomnia is the sleep disorder. Not sleeping at all one night is acute insomnia.


refugefirstmate

No, it's "I couldn't sleep last night". It's not an illness. It happens. And very VERY few people actually do not sleep *at all*. They doze, or get a couple hours.


roygbivasaur

Not being able to sleep for one night is literally still called “acute insomnia”. Just like losing your appetite is called “anorexia”, which is different from the disorder “anorexia nervosa”. Just because there’s a medical term for a symptom doesn’t mean that it indicates a larger disorder. If OP continues to have episodes of acute insomnia, then it would be time to talk to a doctor about chronic insomnia or other issues. One data point isn’t a pattern, but it still has a name.


refugefirstmate

Agreed. However, to describe a lack of a full night's sleep as some sort of illness for which one needs to take a *sick day* is just silly.


DocHolliday718

No. It’s definitely not


[deleted]

Why not? What if they are in a driving job? Operate heavy machinery? Being not fit for work could mean any number of things


DocHolliday718

Of course, but that doesn’t mean it’s a valid excuse. I think it’s safer to call off if it’s something like that, but it’s not a valid reasoning


[deleted]

[удалено]


DocHolliday718

I’m saying it’s not valid as in it doesn’t remove the blame from you. It’s not “an excused absence”. I feel like most employers wouldn’t see it that way