Sick Leave

Rahul wakes up with a high fever and feels too unwell to go to work. He calls his manager to inform her and request sick leave for a day or two.

Meanings in Rahul, Ms. Kapoor (Manager)

Key words and phrases

sick leavetime off from work taken due to illnessHe is taking sick leave today because of a fever.

feeling unwellnot feeling well, slightly illShe has been feeling unwell since last night.

fevera higher than normal body temperature caused by illnessHe has a high fever and body ache.

call in sickto phone one's workplace to say you cannot come in due to illnessHe called in sick this morning.

doctor's notea written statement from a doctor confirming illnessThe company asked him to submit a doctor's note.

take a day offto not go to work for one dayHe decided to take a day off to rest.

recoverto become healthy again after being illHe needs a couple of days to recover fully.

under the weatheran informal expression meaning slightly unwellI'm feeling a bit under the weather today.

rest and hydrateto relax the body and drink enough fluids while recoveringThe doctor told him to rest and hydrate well.

contagiousable to spread from one person to another through contactThe flu is quite contagious, so he stayed home.

medical appointmenta scheduled visit to a doctorHe has a medical appointment this afternoon.

get well soonan expression used to wish someone a quick recoveryHis colleagues messaged him, "Get well soon!"

inform in advanceto let someone know about something before it happensHe informed his manager in advance about his illness.

urgent taskswork items that need immediate attentionHe asked a colleague to handle his urgent tasks.

sick daya day taken off from work due to illnessThis is his second sick day this month.

prescriptiona doctor's written instruction for medicineThe doctor gave him a prescription for fever medicine.

check into briefly contact someone to give an updateHe will check in with his manager tomorrow morning.

back at workhaving returned to work after an absenceHe will be back at work by Wednesday.

Useful sentences

Ask Why weren't you at your desk this morning?
Answer I've been feeling unwell since last night.
Ask What's wrong? Do you have a fever?
Answer Yes, I have a high fever and body ache.
Ask Do you need to take a day off?
Answer Yes, I think I need to rest and hydrate today.
Ask Have you seen a doctor yet?
Answer I have a medical appointment this afternoon.
Ask Will you need to submit a doctor's note?
Answer Yes, if I take more than two sick days.
Ask How many sick days do you think you'll need?
Answer Probably just one or two days to recover.
Ask Who will handle your urgent tasks today?
Answer I've asked Neha to look after them.
Ask Is your illness contagious?
Answer The doctor said it might be, so I'm staying home.
Ask Will you check in with an update tomorrow?
Answer Yes, I'll message you as soon as I feel better.
Ask When do you expect to be back at work?
Answer I should be back at work by Wednesday.

Dialogue

RahulGood morning, ma'am. I'm calling to let you know I won't be able to come in today.

Ms. KapoorOh no, what's the matter, Rahul? You sound unwell.

RahulI woke up with a high fever and body ache. I think I need to take a day off.

Ms. KapoorOf course, please take sick leave and rest. Have you seen a doctor?

RahulNot yet, but I have a medical appointment this afternoon.

Ms. KapoorGood. Just rest and hydrate. Is there anything urgent I should reassign?

RahulI've already asked Neha to cover my urgent tasks for today.

Ms. KapoorThat's sorted then. Take care, and check in whenever you feel up to it.

RahulThank you, ma'am. I'll message you tomorrow with an update.

Ms. KapoorTake your time to recover. Get well soon, Rahul.

Common mistakes

Saying "I am not feeling good" instead of "I am not feeling well" — 'well' is the correct word for health, not 'good.'
Saying "I have fever" instead of "I have a fever" — the article 'a' is needed before 'fever' in English.
Saying "I will not come office" instead of "I will not be able to come to the office" — a preposition and fuller phrasing are needed.
Saying "give me leave for sick" instead of "I need to take sick leave" or "I'd like to apply for sick leave."
Saying "I am ill from yesterday" instead of "I have been feeling unwell since yesterday" — the present perfect continuous is used for an ongoing condition.
Saying "call sick" instead of "call in sick" — the preposition 'in' is essential in this phrasal verb.

Quick quiz

1. What does "call in sick" mean?

2. What is a "doctor's note"?

3. Complete: "I'm feeling a bit ___ today." (informal for unwell)

4. What does "contagious" mean?

5. What does "recover" mean?

6. Complete: "He will be ___ by Wednesday."

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