32 Bulletproof Excuses to Get Out of Work [And Exactly What to Say to Your Boss]

Career Success

Apr 15

Many companies won’t make you give an excuse these days if you have paid time off (PTO) to take. But if you’re in a situation where your PTO is still dependent on manager approval, you don’t have any PTO remaining, or it’s last minute and you don’t want to burn any bridges with your boss, these excuses could get you out of work for a day or two even.

If that’s you, here are 32 legitimate reasons to get out of work that most people won’t question - most of them are good excuses to miss work on short notice.

Quick Tips to Using Good Excuses to Get Out of Work

Maybe you just don’t feel like going to work today. Or maybe you overslept and you don’t want to confess (and yes, sleeping in is not a great reason for missing work or being late).

Whatever it is, the key to making these excuses work is

Don’t overuse them. People don’t often question one-offs, but they will have issues with a pattern of behavior.
Use my word tracks to get you started, but put it in your own words so your boss doesn’t know you’re reading from a script. This doesn’t have to be perfect.
Help your supervisor empathize with your situation and it will be more effective.
Whenever possible, call your boss and talk to them directly. If you’re sick or it’s a level of emergency where you can’t talk, texting is your next best option.

Bulletproof Excuses to Get Out of Work

Bulletproof excuses to get out of work typically involve something that is out of your control. Sometimes they are last minute, sometimes they are not. They may also include things protected by law or that are simply too taboo for anyone to question you.

Appointments

This may include a doctor's appointment, a dentist appointment, medical appointment, or even things like a DMV (department of motor vehicles) appointment. Many of these places are only open during daytime business hours and every employer expects that people will need time off for these things. It’s rare anyone will question you; although some strict employers may require a doctor's note or proof that you were there.

What to Say:

I just realized that my license expires on Thursday this week and I had to make an emergency DMV appointment to renew it. Unfortunately, I have to go into the DMV to do so. I’m sorry if this causes any inconvenience, but I won’t be able to make it to work on Tuesday this week. (Note: You’ll want to let your boss know as soon as possible. Don’t wait until the last minute.
I scheduled my annual physical for next Monday. They are only open during work hours and it’s the only time my doctor is available for the next 3 months and I don’t want to push my health off any longer. I’ll need to take the day off.
I’ve been trying to get a dentist appointment for weeks and they just called with an opening tomorrow to get my tooth pulled. I’m sorry if this causes an inconvenience, but I need to take the day off and take care of this.

Bad Weather

This could include weather that has caused you to have a flight delay or it could be weather that is not safe to drive in, like white-out conditions. This isn’t something you can prepare for and it’s a legitimate reason that few managers will question.

What to Say:

My flight was canceled due to bad weather and I won’t be back in town until tomorrow. Unfortunately, I won’t be able to come into work today.
My drive is blocked with about 2 feet of snow and it is white-out conditions on the road. I don’t feel it’s safe to drive today. I think it’s best if I take the day off.

Car Accident

Car accidents happen, often at no fault of our own. I don’t know anyone who balks at this reason for not coming to work. Keep in mind this extends to others in your household. If your partner or child is in a car accident, these are all legitimate excuses that almost every manager will support.

What to Say:

I was just rear-ended on my way to work today. I’m ok, I’ve called the police department, but I have to wait on someone to get here and contact the insurance company. I’m sorry, but I won’t be in the office today.

Car Trouble

Maybe it’s not an accident, but a flat tire, your car won’t start, or a cracked windshield. You might not want to ask for the whole day off depending on the circumstance, but it’s sure to be an acceptable excuse for coming in late if nothing else. Just don’t use it too often or it will look like you don’t have reliable transportation.

What to Say:

I can’t get my car to start this morning. The battery seems fine, so I had to call a tow truck to take it to the dealership to find out what is wrong. I won’t be able to make it into the office today.
I woke up to a flat tire on my car. I’m going to try and get it to the tire shop this morning and get it fixed. It may take a few hours so I don’t know if I’ll make it to work today.

Hello, World!

Covid or Flu

Today we have tests for both COVID and the Flu. Some you can do at home, some you can have done at your doctor’s office. Even if you don’t know your test results yet, it’s a valid reason to call out of work. And what manager wants a highly contagious virus floating around their workplace?

What to Say:

I was up last night with chills and the worst sore throat of my life. I went in and took a Covid and Flu test but I’m waiting for the results. I’m going to stay home and rest today while I wait for the results.

Cramps

This one may be awkward, but if you’re a female you know that menstrual cramps can be the real deal. And I don’t know anyone who asks questions about this.

What to Say:

I’m having severe menstrual cramps this morning. I can barely move. I’m lying on the couch and I’m not going to make it into work today.

Daycare

If your boss has kids, they’ll most likely understand the complications of daycare. If not, they may ask you for proof, but probably won’t make a big deal out of it unless it’s a regular occurrence. Things happen and sometimes there’s nothing you can do when a grandparent who watches your kid gets sick, or the daycare facility has an emergency and shuts down, or school is closed for some reason.

What to Say:

The school called and my son is being sent home early. I need to leave work and go get him.
My nanny called in sick at the last minute this morning and I can’t find anyone else to watch our kids. I’m going to need to take the day off.

Death in the Family

No one will ask questions if you need to take time off for bereavement. If you’re attending a funeral, you’ll want to give your employer as much time in advance as possible, but for bereavement in general, it could be last minute. Many companies offer a bereavement benefit that allows you to take paid time off for a certain number of days. Check with your HR if you’re unsure if this is a benefit you have.

What to Say:

My mother passed away unexpectedly this morning. I won’t be coming into work today.
As you know, my grandfather has been battling cancer for the past year. I just got a call that he passed last night. I need to take the day off to be with my family.

Dental Emergency

As we get older, we tend to have more dental problems. You may have broken a tooth, had a crown come off, or you’re experiencing pain in your mouth. Take the day off and go to the dentist. Your boss will most likely understand.

What to Say:

I have a temporary crown on my tooth and it came off this morning. I’m going to need to take the day off and go to the dentist to have this fixed as soon as possible. I wanted to call you first and let you know that I won’t be in today.

Family Emergency

This is another one that most people won’t ask questions about. Similar to taking care of a sick child, family emergencies can cover anything from helping a parent or taking care of any family member.

What to Say:

My father has a broken pipe and his kitchen is flooded. He’s over 80 and doesn’t know what to do. I need to take the day off to drive over there and help him clean up and figure out how to fix it.
My mom fell this morning and has to go to the ER. I need to take her so I can’t make it to work today.

Food Poisoning

It’s rare a manager questions someone who claims to have food poisoning unless there is a pattern of using this excuse. It’s also not common to see the doctor for this so most people don’t ask for a doctor’s note.

What to Say:

I think I have food poisoning. I can’t keep anything down and I won’t be able to come in to work today.

Home Emergency

At some point, everyone experiences some form of home emergency. These could be major issues like a house fire or flood, or something smaller such as a broken pipe, termites, or a roof leak. I’ve had people call into work with flooded basements, gas leaks, and even because a tree fell on their house. No decent manager is going to criticize you for taking care of these things immediately.

What to Say:

We had a lot of rain last night and something went wrong with my drainage system because I woke up to a basement with a foot of water. I’m going to need to take the day off to figure out how we’re going to clear out the water and salvage what we can before it causes more damage.
I was on my way out the door this morning and I noticed a leak in my ceiling. Turns out we have a roof leak. I called a roofer and they’ll be here sometime in the next 3 hours. I don’t want it to cause more damage, so I’ll need to take the day off so we can get this repaired.

Illness or Fever

This is probably the most common bulletproof excuse people use. We all get sick. For some reason, many Americans like to go to work sick like it’s a badge of honor and productivity but it’s usually the opposite that happens. Everyone else gets sick and it kills productivity across the company. If you’re sick, stay home.

Your supervisor may require a doctor’s note, but with telehealth services, it’s easy for many of us to make a phone appointment and get a note without leaving the house. Don’t clog the ER and Urgent Care lines. If you have access to telehealth, use it. If you don’t, suggest it to whoever administers your company’s benefits.

What to Say:

I woke up with a fever today. I’m sorry for the late notice, but I can’t come to work today. I’m going to take it easy and see if I can get it to go away. If not, I’ll have to go see the doctor. I don’t want to get the whole office sick, so I’ll update you later if I think it’s safe for me to return tomorrow.
I’ve been up all night with diarrhea and vomiting. I haven’t been able to keep much down and I’m in no condition to come to work today.

Injury

No one will question you if you’ve injured yourself or if someone in your family has an injury. While you may not receive paid time off depending on where you live, some states require paid sick leave that can be used for this. Others still require that your employer allow you to take time off without reprimand. You may need a doctor’s note though.

What to Say:

I tripped on my son’s legos this morning and injured my ankle. I’m not sure if it’s a sprain, but I can’t walk on it and it’s not safe to drive. I won’t be coming into the office today. (Note: You could ask to work from home)
I sliced my hand open on a knife while washing dishes this morning and I need to see a doctor about stitches. I can’t get it to stop bleeding. Sorry for the inconvenience, but I need to take the day off today.
I think I threw my back at the gym and I can barely move. I’ve got it iced and I may have to go see the doctor later if it doesn’t improve. I don’t think it’s safe for me to drive into the office today.

Jury Duty

You’ll want to inform your supervisor ahead of time so it’s not last minute, but they have no choice but to excuse you for your civic duty. Most states prohibit employers from penalizing an employee for jury service. They may not pay you, but they have to allow you to take the time off.

What to Say:

I was selected for jury duty in 3 weeks. I have to report on Friday the 26th and then I’ll find out if I have to come back the following week or not. I wanted to give you a heads up that I won’t be in the office that Friday and I may not be in the following week either if I’m selected. We can come up with a plan when it gets closer so nothing falls through the cracks in my absence.

Medicine

If you find that you’ve run out of an important drug, that’s a valid reason to miss work. You can’t go without your diabetes or heart medication. Perhaps you’ve been busy and realized that you just took your last pill this morning. No one will question you for taking care of these things.

What to Say:

I just realized that I’m out of my heart medication. I took the last pill today and I have to take the day off to talk to my doctor and go to the pharmacy. It’s usually on auto-fill by mail, so I don’t typically think about it but I didn’t get my medicine this month and just now realized that I was out. I hope you understand, this could take hours and I have to prioritize my health.

Migraine

If you’re fortunate never to have a migraine, you’re lucky. Over a billion people worldwide are affected by them each year (NIH)and they’re very serious for many people. Few people will question you about this, especially given how many others have suffered from one themselves.

What to Say:

I’m not going to be able to come to work today. I have a severe migraine. I’m lying down in the dark and I can hardly look into the light.

Religious Holiday

If your boss knows you practice a religion, they usually won’t ask questions or blink an eye at this excuse to get out of work. Some holidays are observed by companies in the US, but many are not. If a significant holiday isn’t observed at your company, don’t be afraid to ask for the day off.

What to Say:

I’d like to take tomorrow off in observance of (Diwali/Yom Kippur, Eid Mubarak, Rosh Hashanah).

Sick Child

Employers will treat this the same as if you were sick. You may need a doctor’s note if it becomes excessive, but let’s face it, some kids get sick often. When my daughter went to school, in her first year she was out sick for nearly 30 days. It’s common for kids to get sick often during their first few years of school because their immune systems are still developing and being exposed to new things.

What to Say:

My son has a fever and I need to stay home with him. I’ll try to update you in a few minutes on our outstanding projects so you and the team know where I left off.
Something really contagious is going around the school and I think my daughter caught it. I need to take the day off and take her to the doctor today.

Witness to a Crime

Hopefully, this never happens to you, but if it does, this is a solid reason to call out of work. It may be something major such as a shooting in the New York subway you witnessed, or a hit-and-run accident on the freeway. Either way, the right thing to do is to stick around (if it’s safe to do so) and speak to the police.

What to Say:

I witnessed a hit-and-run accident on the 5 this morning and I stopped to make sure everyone was ok. I’m tied down with the police officer and the injured person as a witness right now. I don’t know if I’ll make it to work today.

Excuses to Get Out of Work

Here are a few more good excuses to get out of work. They may not be as bulletproof as the ones earlier, but they still work.

Allergies

One in three US adults have some form of allergy (CDC). Chances are your boss will be able to relate to your extreme allergy symptoms. It may not be bulletproof, but it’s still good.

What to Say:

My allergies are horrible today. The change in weather and the orange blossoms are really triggering me. I’ve had some swelling in my throat and I can’t stop coughing. I’m sorry for any inconvenience, but I think it’s best that I stay home today.

Donating Blood

Sometimes donating blood can cause lightheadedness which may cause a situation that is not safe for you to work.

What to Say:

I went to the blood donation drive today and the nurse who took my blood recommended that I stay home since I felt pretty weak and lightheaded afterward. I wasn’t expecting to feel like this. I don’t think it’s safe for me to come to work today.

Important Delivery

Depending on what it is and your work situation, you might be able to get away with this. If you work in an office, it’s easy to have your new iPhone delivered there instead of at home. But if it’s a big appliance, that’s another story. Porch pirates victimize 44 million Americans every 3 months (Security.org), so if you have an expensive home delivery, it’s a good reason to call out of work.

What to Say:

Our new dishwasher is being delivered and installed tomorrow. I just received the notification and the window for delivery is all day. I need to take the day off. I’m sorry for the late notice, but I guess that’s how appliance deliveries work.
My new iPhone is being delivered tomorrow and the delivery window is all day. I need to take the day off work. I can’t risk an expensive package like that being stolen by a porch pirate. (Note: You could also ask to work from home if you are able to do your job remotely.)

Lost Keys

It happens to the best of us and we don’t all have a fancy way to unlock our cars without a key. It may not be bulletproof, but it’s a good excuse to get out of work.

What to Say:

I was defrosting my car today and I locked my keys inside the car while it was warming up. I don’t have a spare so I’m waiting on a locksmith to come to the house. The earliest they can make it is 3 hours from now. I don’t think I’ll be able to come into the office today. I feel so embarrassed and I’m sorry for this last-minute notice.
I lost my keys at the gym this morning and everyone has left. I won’t be able to get in until they reopen tomorrow morning. I’m waiting for my son to bring me a spare set of keys so I can get into my car and get home. I don’t know if I’ll make it into the office today.

Mental Health

Your mental health is just as important as your physical health. More and more companies are starting to realize this; although it has been slow progress (APA). If you’ve been working extra hours, it’s ok to take a day to get some rest, catch up on housework, or simply unwind at the beach. Explain to your manager that you need a day off so you can come back recharged and able to perform even better.

What to Say:

Without going into too much detail, I’m in a rough spot mentally with anxiety over the wedding and I need to take some time off today.
I’ve had a lot going on lately between tax season and the move into the new house. I need to take a mental health day and just reset.

Pet Emergency

Considering 44% of households have a dog and 26% have a cat (AVMA), I’d say this is a good excuse to get out of work. If your boss has pets, they’re more likely to understand a pet emergency.

What to Say:

My dog won’t eat or drink and I’m worried about his health. I made an emergency vet appointment, but I’m going to need to take today off to take him in.
My dog was bit by a possum on our morning walk and I’m worried about an infection. The vet said I should bring them in right away so I won’t be able to make it into work.
I woke up this morning to my dog barking and when I went outside to check on him, it smelled so bad. Long story short, he was sprayed by a skunk. I’ve been researching how to get rid of the skunk smell and washing him in baking soda. You can imagine the kind of morning I’m having. Is it possible to take the day off while I deal with this mess?

Public Transit Problems

It’s completely out of your control when public transit has delays. The only reason I didn’t put it in the bulletproof section is because there may be alternative transportation you could use to still get to work. Nonetheless, it’s worth a shot.

What to Say:

The L line is going to be shut down tomorrow and I don’t have another way to get to work. Is it possible to take the day off?

Technical Difficulties

If you work from home, this one is a valid reason to miss work. If your computer isn’t working or you have an internet outage, it’s not possible to do your job. Explain the steps you took to resolve it and let your manager know you won’t be working today.

What to Say:

Our internet at home is out and I don’t know when it will come back on. I called the internet company and apparently someone hit a cable while doing construction and they’re working on fixing it. If it comes back online later, I’ll let you know, but as of right now, I’m going to have to take the day off.

Work-Related Conferences

If you work in a specialized field that requires continuing professional education (CPE), this could be a good reason to get out of work. Some companies may even pay for you to go to the CPE event. Many professionals that maintain licenses such as accounting or healthcare have to attend these every year or two. Be sure to share with your supervisor what you learned at the conference when you return.

Funny Excuses to Get Out of Work

I’ve also heard some pretty wild excuses and thought I’d share them for fun. They may work for you if you have the guts to share them.

Good Excuse to Get Out of Work

I think I have a tapeworm and I know someone who got cancer from one before. I need to get this looked at.

Embarrassing Excuse to Get Out of Work

I’m going to need to go home and take the day off. I was in the parking lot unloading my stuff and I ripped a giant hole in the crotch of my pants. I’m so embarrassed to even tell you. I can’t come in today. I need to go home and change. I don’t think I can return to work today.

Funniest Excuse to Get Out of Work

I won’t be in because I have diarrhea (start speaking faster and say) oh my gosh, I’m sorry, I gotta hang up now.

You might become known as a serial pooper at the office, but I bet it works if you have the performance in you.

Good Excused to Get Out of Work Recommended Reading

40 Excuses to Work From Home [And What to Say To Your Boss]

Best Excuses to Quit a Job Without Notice [How to Do It Right]

Excuses to Leave Work Early For An Interview (coming soon)

Is Freelancing Worth It

Cole Sperry has been a recruiter and resume writer since 2015, working with tens of thousands of job seekers, and hundreds of employers. Today Cole runs a botique advisory firm consulting with dozens of recruiting firms and is the Managing Editor at OptimCareers.com.