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Need a reason to leave work or school or get out of an event? Family emergencies are perfect if you need time off because they don't require much detail (most of the time). In the US, the Family and Medical Leave Act ( FMLA ) provides up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for family or medical reasons, including issues related to your child, spouse, or parent. [1] X Trustworthy Source US Department of Labor Federal department responsible for promoting the wellbeing of workers Go to source However, some workplaces include siblings, grandparents, and in-laws, too. We've compiled a list of the best family emergency excuses below. Just remember—a white lie every once in a while likely won't hurt, but be careful about using an excuse like a death or serious illness more than once.
Things You Should Know
- Make an excuse that someone in your family is ill, injured, or been in an accident. Or, say you can't find childcare or need to take a relative to an appointment.
- Alternatively, say there's been a household emergency, like a burst pipe, gas leak , or break-in.
- Avoid sharing specific details when you notify your professor or boss that you need time off. It’s better to be as vague as possible so you don’t get caught in a lie.
Steps
Email Template and Text Examples for a Family Emergency
Community Q&A
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QuestionWhat are some special occasions when you need to miss work?Community AnswerA wedding, family reunion, graduation, a birth or a death in the family might be reasons to miss work.
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QuestionWhat is maternity leave or family leave?Community AnswerMaternity leave is taken when someone gives birth to a child or adopts a child. Family leave can be taking time off to spend with their spouse and/or children for other reasons, such as caring for a sick family member.
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QuestionWhat is leave of absence? What are some reasons for this?Community AnswerA leave of absence means taking time off (for instance, from work). Reasons include taking a vacation, having a baby, going on a honeymoon and recovering from an injury or illness.
Tips
Warnings
- Honesty is the best policy to avoid future issues— consider asking for a mental health day before inventing an excuse.Thanks
- Avoid lying about death and serious illness. It is considered extremely unethical, and some workplaces require “proof of loss” such as an obituary or funeral card.Thanks
References
- ↑ https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/fmla/faq
- ↑ https://hbr.org/2018/07/how-to-manage-an-employee-whos-having-a-personal-crisis
- ↑ https://www.helpguide.org/articles/stress/stress-in-the-workplace.htm
- ↑ https://www.helpguide.org/articles/stress/coping-with-financial-stress.htm
- ↑ https://hbr.org/2018/03/when-you-need-to-take-time-off-work-for-mental-health-reasons
- ↑ https://hbr.org/2021/02/how-to-ask-for-an-extended-leave-from-work
