How to Call in Sick to Work or School | English Speaking Practice | Go Natural English

let's face it unfortunately we all get sick from  time to time did you know that according to one  

recent study at least 43 percent of adults  in the U.S took at least one sick day from  

work or school within the past year in today's  video I'll show you how to call in sick for work  

we'll go over what information to  share and what not to say as well  

by the way if you like this topic you'd like our  free training improve your accent in seven minutes  

visit the link in the description to get it  

okay let's jump into what you need to  know to call in sick to work in English  

first get straight to the point let your  supervisor know why you're contacting them  

don't chit chat or make small talk to begin the  conversation Instead try one of these phrases  

unfortunately I woke up sick this morning  or I woke up feeling unwell this morning  

or I'm a little under the weather today under  the weather is an English idiom that means  

you're not feeling well next it's okay to give  a brief description of your illness the key is  

to keep this part short and to the point don't  get too many unpleasant details would you want  

to hear a wrong description including all the  yucky details of your employees stomach virus  

instead keep it simple and truthful here  are some examples make sure you choose the  

one that is accurate for your situation  I woke up with a high fever and cough  

or I have a bad sore throat and a  headache or I think I have a stomach bug  

the word bug is sometimes used to  refer to a virus or upset stomach  

after you let your boss know that you're sick  be clear that you will not be coming into  

work that day don't leave your employer  guessing about what your intentions are  

or thinking that you might be in later  Instead try one of these direct phrases

unfortunately I'll have to take a sick day  today or I'm afraid I won't be in today  

next acknowledge your work responsibilities  and apologize for the inconvenience  

when my team members told me that they  would be out sick I always appreciated  

their acknowledgment of the work they would be  missing don't apologize for being sick we all  

get sick from time to time no need to feel guilty  about that Instead try a phrase like one of these

I'm sorry for the inconvenience please feel free  to email me if you have any urgent questions or  

I'm sorry that this adds to the  already busy day for everyone else  

or I had planned to complete  insert work task here today  

I will be sure to get that done as soon as I'm  back or simply I apologize for the inconvenience

finally let your supervisor know what your  plans are don't make unrealistic promises  

about when you will return or leave them  wondering when they'll hear from you again  

instead set the expectation for what  happens next with something like this  

I think it'll be okay to return  tomorrow or I'm not sure if I'll be  

better by tomorrow I will call or email you  first thing in the morning to let you know

or I'll visit my doctor and let you know  my plans for tomorrow by the end of the day

now let's practice each part start to finish  unfortunately I woke up sick this morning

I have a bad sore throat and a headache

I'm afraid I won't be in today  

I'm sorry for the inconvenience please feel free  to email me if you have any urgent questions

I'm not sure if I'll be better by tomorrow  

I will call or email you first  thing in the morning to let you know

if you're making a phone call you might  speak directly with your employer or leave  

this message in a voicemail you might also  send this message in an email depending on  

your company policy for calling in sick  if you're speaking with them directly  

they will acknowledge what you said and  hopefully wish you to feel better soon

this is a good time to thank them for their well  wishes and understanding something like thank you  

for understanding or thank you very much for your  patience that's it I hope you don't need to use  

this lesson anytime soon but if you do you'll  be able to call in sick to work with confidence  

given world events this is a much needed  English speaking practice topic have you  

been sick recently practice telling me you can't  come to your work or English class in the comments  

let's pretend and practice do you  have any questions about calling  

in sick or suggestions for other phrases  we could use leave them in the comments  

remember to check the link in the description  for a special free accent training  

thanks for watching you're in the right place for  improving your English fluency bye until next time