Calling in Sick to Work

Scene: Early morning. Lina wakes up feeling very sick. Her throat hurts and she has a fever. She calls her supervisor before her shift starts.

Conversation

SUPERVISOR (MR. GRANT): Good morning, this is Grant at Greenway Market.

EMPLOYEE (LINA): Good morning, Mr. Grant. This is Lina from the front end. I’m scheduled for the morning shift today.

SUPERVISOR (MR. GRANT): Hi, Lina. Yes, I see you on the schedule. What’s going on?

EMPLOYEE (LINA): I’m calling because I’m not feeling well. I have a fever and a really sore throat, and I don’t think I can work my shift today.

SUPERVISOR (MR. GRANT): I’m sorry to hear that. How long have you been feeling sick?

EMPLOYEE (LINA): Since last night. I tried to rest, but I still feel weak and dizzy this morning.

SUPERVISOR (MR. GRANT): Okay, thank you for calling before your shift. It’s better if you stay home and rest, especially if you have a fever.

EMPLOYEE (LINA): Thank you for understanding. Do I need to bring a doctor’s note when I come back?

SUPERVISOR (MR. GRANT): If you miss more than two days in a row, we usually ask for a doctor’s note. If you feel better and come back tomorrow or the next day, a note is not required.

EMPLOYEE (LINA): All right. I’ll see how I feel and maybe go to the clinic if it doesn’t get better.

SUPERVISOR (MR. GRANT): That sounds good. I’ll mark you as sick for today and try to find someone to cover your shift.

EMPLOYEE (LINA): I’m sorry for the inconvenience. I know it’s short notice.

SUPERVISOR (MR. GRANT): It’s okay. These things happen. Next time, if possible, please call at least two hours before your shift, like you did today.

EMPLOYEE (LINA): Yes, of course. I’ll always try to call early.

SUPERVISOR (MR. GRANT): Do you want to use a sick day for today, or do you prefer it to be unpaid time off?

EMPLOYEE (LINA): If I still have sick hours available, I’d like to use a sick day, please.

SUPERVISOR (MR. GRANT): Let me check… Yes, you still have some sick time. I’ll enter it as a paid sick day.

EMPLOYEE (LINA): Thank you, I appreciate it.

SUPERVISOR (MR. GRANT): No problem. Please let us know tomorrow morning if you’re still too sick to come in.

EMPLOYEE (LINA): I will. Thank you again, Mr. Grant. Have a good day.

SUPERVISOR (MR. GRANT): You too, Lina. Feel better soon.

— THE END —

Vocabulary List

Call in sick /kɔːl ɪn sɪk/ (phrase) to phone your job to say you are too sick to work. Example: She calls in sick before her shift starts.
Sick day /sɪk deɪ/ (n.) a day you do not work because you are ill. Example: Lina wants to use a sick day instead of unpaid time off.
Shift /ʃɪft/ (n.) the period of time you are scheduled to work. Example: She is scheduled for the morning shift.
Supervisor /ˈsuːpərvaɪzər/ (n.) the person who manages or oversees workers. Example: She calls her supervisor to report that she is sick.
Fever /ˈfiːvər/ (n.) a high body temperature, usually because of illness. Example: She has a fever and a sore throat.
Sore throat /sɔːr θroʊt/ (n.) pain in the throat, especially when swallowing. Example: A sore throat can make it hard to talk to customers.
Doctor’s note /ˈdɑːktərz noʊt/ (n.) a paper from a doctor explaining that you were sick. Example: Some companies ask for a doctor’s note after several sick days.
Cover a shift /ˈkʌvər ə ʃɪft/ (phrase) to work for someone else during their scheduled time. Example: The supervisor will find someone to cover her shift.
Short notice /ʃɔːrt ˈnoʊtɪs/ (n.) not much time in advance; close to the time something happens. Example: She apologizes for the short notice.
Unpaid time off /ʌnˈpeɪd taɪm ɔːf/ (n.) time away from work when you are not paid. Example: Employees can choose a sick day or unpaid time off.

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Vocabulary List