So, every muscle in your body is aching badly, and you have been up all night, and hardly have the strength to sit up, let alone get ready and get to work? But, you are feeling guilty about not going to work. Whoops-a-daisy!

Well, now is not the time to feel guilty, so put aside your unwelcome guilt and call in sick right now!

It is no secret that no one likes being sick, is it? Whether it is a simple flu or cold, or something serious, or even an accident, it can happen to anyone and at any time! So you better know all about it.

But, you don’t know anything about taking sick leave in the UK, what will you do now?

First off, don’t take any stress in this condition, prop up your pillows and read this guide to get familiar with all you need to know about taking a sick leave.

So, pull out some tissues, lower your screen brightness and read on!

How To Professionally Call In Sick – Alert Your Manager:

There is no one on this planet who feels well all the time, and hasn’t been sick, is there? Exactly! So, it is clear that everyone feels sick. You might be feeling all okay. And, the very next morning, you wake up having a cold or stomach bug and suffer from flaring symptoms of a long-term health condition. It happens, right? And, you are not alone in feeling such a way, it is completely normal!

While a lot of people suppress their condition and ‘soldier on’ with minor illnesses, they’re not aware of one thing. Really, what is that? Whether you are a CV writer or serve in any other field, working while being sick will only impede your performance in the workplace. And, that is not all, going to work and not resting while you are sick, can elevate the chances of making your recovery prolonged. So, only soldier on when you are prepared to suffer from your illness for months.

One more thing, if you go to work all coughing and sneezing, you can risk spreading your disease to your colleagues too. And trust us, they are not going to like it! So, all in all, it is better to take a sick leave in the UK. Here’s how to call in sick.

• Alert Your Manager As Soon As You Can: It is wise that you call your manager or employer to tell them about your condition as soon as possible. Alert them that you might need to call in sick and take a few days off because of your sickness.
• Choose A Proper Mode Of Communication: Every company has its own policies for how to alert your manager when you want to take sick leave in the UK. Your supervisor might prefer a voicemail, phone call, sick-day email, or just a simple text message. Ask about their preference beforehand to know how to alert them.
• Be Brief About Your Illness: While it might seem that a long-winded explanation is going to make you sound convincing, trust us it is not. Instead, it might make things worse for you. So, to be on the safe side be as brief about your illness as you can. Just let them know that you are not feeling fine and won’t be able to make it to work for the day.
• Prepare For Return: If you were out for several days, then your manager might want to see your fit note (a.k.a. sick note). Moreover, communicate with your colleagues and supervisor about any information that you have missed. Also, ask them about the duties you have to attend after you return and brace yourself for them.

When To Take A Sick Leave In The UK

Knowing when to take a sick leave in the UK can help you as well as your team to balance the workload in your absence. If you are not physically able to come to the office but are able to work from home, it is better to let your manager know about that. You can call in sick when:

• You Have Unusual Symptoms Of Any Physical Illness: For instance, if you have any abnormal symptoms such as diarrhoea, coughing, sore throat, vomiting, fever, or any other, it is better to take a sick leave. If you avoid these symptoms and get to work feeling down, it will make you a lot sicker. Moreover, the chances of viral spread to your colleagues also increase. Oops!

If you are not able to write an application for your manager, then do not worry. Instead, get any online sick leave job application help provider to write your leave application for you.

• You Need A Mental Well-Being Break: If you suffer burnout, depression, stress-related anxiety, or any other mental health condition then taking a sick leave in the UK can ease the symptoms. If you feel any stress, then consider getting help from a mental health professional and you will feel better.

How many sick days I can take per year?

In the UK, there is no legal limit as to how many sick days a person can take per year. However, a lot of employees monitor the sick days off they take either formally or informally.

Can I be dismissed for being sick for too long in the UK?

Yes, you can definitely be dismissed if you have a long-term or persistent illness. Such illnesses make it difficult for the candidate to do their jobs, thus, the companies have to take such a step. However, before taking any action, your manager must consider ways to support you. For instance, changing your role, or anything of the sort.

Can I call in sick during notice periods or holidays?

Yes, you can call in sick during holidays or your notice period. This is because your normal conditions as well as contractual terms stay the same even when you are serving your notice period. So, make sure to follow your local sickness policy to know how often you are required to keep in touch with your manager and how frequently you can send in sick notes.

Trying To Pull A Sickie, Or Are You Really Sick?

Whether it is a social engagement or a meeting that you don’t want to attend, it is normal to need a bit of free time with a less-than-truthful sick day call. Even though it is not recommended at all, but nonetheless, employees have been taking sick leave in the UK for this reason for a long time.

If this is the case and you are not really sick, then combat the urge to spin your manager in a detailed yarn. You might think that it will make you sound convincing, but trust us, you will trip over the details anytime. So, to be on the safer side, go with simple options such as a bad cold or a stomach bug, etc. However, if you are really sick, tell them accurately!

A Word Of Warning? Do not post upbeat pictures on your social media accounts, as they might get you exposed instantly. Yikes!