How To Call In Sick on the First Day of Work

What if you finally land a great job and suddenly experience a terrible migraine when you are expected to report for duty? Can calling in sick on the first day of work get you fired? Does it create a bad impression? Will it make your new employer think that you are the type of worker who misses work all the time, or will it cause them to force you to work?

This guide will provide answers and show you how to create a sick leave request letter in under five minutes by using DoNotPay.

What Should You Do if You Get Sick on the First Day of Work?

While it can seem like a big deal, anyone can become ill on any day. The best thing is to inform your manager as soon as possible and follow up with a formal email. During your call, you can inquire what else is required based on the company's sick day rules. Some employers may request a:

• Doctor’s note
• Formal letter

When calling in sick, you can follow these tips:

• Communicate as soon as possible since the company may have guidelines about when it’s too late to call in sick
• Keep it short—For instance, if you call in sick because of food poisoning, the employer doesn’t need to know all the details of your experience
• Be clear that you regret the timing of having to call in sick before or right after you start

If your symptoms are mild but you still can’t go to the office, you can ask if there is a possibility of working from home.

Once your request is accepted, ensure that you:

• Get the appropriate rest to recover as soon as possible
• Do everything you can to give your best once you come to work
• Take proper care of yourself in the next few months to reduce the chances of calling in sick again

What Are the Good Reasons for Calling In Sick?

Here are some examples of good reasons to call in sick:

• You have a contagious illness—Even if you feel physically fine to show up at work, having a contagious disease means you are likely to spread it to your coworkers
• The illness doesn’t allow you to perform your work functions
• You are experiencing symptoms that can be disruptive to your coworkers, for instance:
  • Vomiting
  • Sneezing
  • Coughing

Are You Covered by Any Sick Leave Laws?

Employees usually get unpaid and paid sick leave based on:

1. Employer-specific benefits
2. The Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act (EPSLA) in cases of COVID-19
3. The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
4. State laws

These sick leave laws usually require you to accumulate sick leave days from your first day of employment, meaning that you are most likely not covered yet. If you are an “at-will” employee, the employer can fire you without violating any law, which can make it hard to send demand letters to the company.

Check out the state-specific guides to sick leave rules in the table below:

Create a Sick Leave Request Letter With DoNotPay

Don’t let the choice of wording or formatting get you fired. Whether you got sick at work or anywhere else, writing a clear and convincing request letter can help you keep your new job. DoNotPay will create a professional sick leave letter for you in under five minutes. All you have to do is:

1. Sign up for DoNotPay
2. Select the Request Sick Leave product
3. Enter the state where you work
4. Specify the days you will be absent

You can choose to have the letter sent to your email and forward it to the employer yourself, or you can give us the contact details, and we’ll send it to the company in your stead.

Expect More Help From DoNotPay

Do you want to know what else DoNotPay can do for you? Have a look at the following lists and discover some of our most prominent services:

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