How to Call in Sick When You Have Diarrhea

Learn how to tell your boss you’re sick without the embarrassing details

Co-authored by Amber Rosenberg, PCC and Hunter Rising

Last Updated: March 22, 2023 References

How to Call in Sick

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Is diarrhea a good excuse to miss work?

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Other Acceptable Reasons to Call In Sick

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Expert Q&A

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Tips

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Warnings

Digestive issues have you in and out of the bathroom, but your work shift is coming up. Should you call in and tell your boss all about your symptoms? While you should call into work if you have diarrhea, there are more professional ways to let your boss know the reason you’re taking the day off. Keep reading to find out what you should say to your boss if you have diarrhea, plus other good reasons for you to call in sick.

Things You Should Know

Tell your boss you’re dealing with a “stomach bug” or “upset stomach” so you don’t have to get into the details.
Mention that you need to be close to the bathroom so your boss gets what symptoms you have without telling them directly.
Wait until your diarrhea has gone away for 24 hours before returning to work so you don’t spread any infections.

Section 1 of 3:

How to Call in Sick

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“I’ve had an upset stomach all morning.” Rather than getting into all of the details of your sickness, just be vague about dealing with some stomach issues. Your boss will probably understand what you’re really trying to tell them so you don’t have to mention your symptoms out loud.
- Generally, it's best to keep it brief when you're calling in sick, so don't feel pressured to elaborate.
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“I’m recovering from a stomach bug.” Stomach bugs are usually viruses that can cause diarrhea, so referring to one will let your boss know you have digestive issues. Since stomach bugs can be contagious, your boss will want you to stay home so you don’t get anyone else sick.^{[1]
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“I’m dealing with food poisoning.” Diarrhea is one of the main ways to determine if you have food poisoning. If you’re also experiencing stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, or a fever, then they may have been caused by something you ate.^{[2]
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
Go to source} Your boss will understand you need time to recover without having to hear all of your individual symptoms.
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“I’m sick and need to stay close to the bathroom.” Your boss will get that this is code that you’re dealing with some sort of digestive issues. Since they’ll want you working when you’re most efficient instead of running to the bathroom, they’ll let you take the day off.
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“I’m not feeling well today.” You don’t have to elaborate on any symptoms or how you’re feeling when you’re sick. Your boss should respect your privacy, so a simple call letting them know that you’re ill is all you may need.^{[3]
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Harvard Business Review
Online and print journal covering topics related to business management practices
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- It might be in your company’s policy that you need to give some details about why you’re missing work. If that’s the case, just mention that you have stomach cramps or digestive issues. If your boss really presses for details, then it’s okay to mention that you have diarrhea to them.
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“I have diarrhea and can’t come in.” If you’re okay with using the actual word and don’t mind your boss knowing your full symptoms, it’s okay to come right out and say what you’re experiencing. Your boss will immediately understand what you’re dealing with so they don’t ask any more questions.
- Your boss will usually keep your symptoms a secret and just tell your coworkers you’re sick so you don’t get embarrassed.

Section 2 of 3:

Is diarrhea a good excuse to miss work?

Yes, you can miss work due to diarrhea so you don’t spread infection. Diarrhea can be really uncomfortable and inconvenient, so it’s completely acceptable that you want to stay home. Taking the day off gives you privacy and some time to rest so you can recover fully. Plus, since some diarrhea is caused by contagious viruses, you shouldn’t be around people until your symptoms have completely passed.^{[4]
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- This is especially true if you work in food service since you could potentially contaminate anything you serve to a customer.
- If you’re gone for an extended amount of time, your boss may ask for a doctor’s note for proof that you were sick.

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Other Acceptable Reasons to Call In Sick

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Fever A fever is one of the first signs that your body is fighting off an infection and that you’re sick. Since you aren’t sure whether your sickness is contagious or not, it’s better to err on the side of caution and call in sick.^{[5]
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Migraine When you get a migraine, it can be so hard to focus on the work you need to get done. Instead of trying to force yourself to work through the pain, just take the day off and treat your symptoms.^{[6]
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Vomiting Vomiting is usually caused by a stomach virus that could easily spread to your coworkers. Treat the vomiting at home rather than going to work and putting your colleagues at risk.^{[7]
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National Health Service (UK)
Public healthcare system of the UK
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Pink eye If you have eye pain, redness or swelling around your eyes, or a gritty feeling when you blink, you may be dealing with pink eye. Pink eye is extremely contagious, so you should stay home and treat it instead of coming to work.^{[8]
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Sinus pain If you have a runny nose and feel pressure around your sinuses, they could be the first signs of a sinus infection. Since it can be hard to focus with sinus pain and because the infection could spread to other people, it’s safer to call in sick and stay home to recover.^{[9]
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Persistent coughing & sneezing A minor cold isn’t enough to call in sick, but if you can’t seem to shake the symptoms within a week, it could be a sign you’re dealing with some form of respiratory illness, like the flu. Since you don’t want to get others sick, take off work and avoid close contact with other people until your symptoms go away.^{[10]
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
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- If your symptoms are caused by allergies, then take over-the-counter allergy medication instead to relieve your symptoms and return to work.
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Shortness of breath If you have a hard time catching your breath, it could potentially be a sign of COVID-19 or another respiratory illness. To be on the safe side, call your boss and let them know that you’re having trouble breathing and can’t make it in today.^{[11]
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Expert Q&A

Question

When is the best time to call in sick to work?

Amber Rosenberg, PCC
Pacific Life Coach
Amber Rosenberg is a Professional Life Coach, Career Coach, and Executive Coach based in the San Francisco Bay Area. As the owner of Pacific Life Coach, she has 20+ years of coaching experience and a background in corporations, tech companies, and nonprofits. Amber trained with the Coaches Training Institute and is a member of the International Coaching Federation (ICF).

Amber Rosenberg, PCC

Pacific Life Coach

Expert Answer

Call in sick as soon as you realize you're not going to make it to work. You could call in sick the night before if you know you're going to feel too ill to go in the next day. Otherwise, call your boss first thing in the morning. Try to give your boss as much notice as you can so they can find coverage or work around your absence.

Warnings

See your doctor if you have diarrhea for longer than 2 days without improvement, become dehydrated, or have black or bloody stools.^{[15]
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Mayo Clinic
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Ask a doctor before taking any anti-diarrheal medications. Even though they may make your symptoms better, they might prevent your body from getting rid of an infection.^{[16]
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Mayo Clinic
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