How do I tell my boss I have an upset stomach?
- “I have [sickness] and will need to take a sick day today. ...
- “I'm really not feeling well today, so I don't think I will be able to do my job productively or efficiently. ...
- “I've come down with [sickness] and need to use a sick day today, but I'll be back at work tomorrow.
Hi [Name], I'm writing to inform you that I have been feeling unwell since last night, due to which I am unable to attend the office. I've been diagnosed with a [severe case of food poisoning] and have been advised rest for [#] days.
What are some reasons for calling out of work? Requests to miss work typically fall into one of these categories: Medical: It's usually a good idea to call out of work for illnesses such as fever, flu or upset stomach.
- colic.
- dyspepsia.
- tummy ache (informal)
- belly ache (informal)
- stomach gripes.
- “Hi [Boss's Name], I'm sorry to let you know that I'm feeling unwell and won't be able to come into work today. ...
- “Hi [Boss's Name], unfortunately, I'm not feeling well and won't be able to come into work today. ...
- “Good morning [Boss's Name], I hope you're well.
I'm sending this email to inform you that I can't come to the office today. I've been feeling under the weather since [when the symptoms occurred – yesterday, last night, etc.]. I went to the hospital and the doctor said I've got [illness]. The prescribed medication will last for [number of days].
Example: This is to inform you that I'm currently sick with the flu, and I'll be unable to come to work. My doctor recommended I take the rest of the week off to recover and avoid infecting others. You can expect me back at the office on Monday morning.
- "Unfortunately, I already have plans during that time. ...
- "I'm sorry, I'm going to be out of town with my family. ...
- "I'm unavailable during that time, but if you need any help on Saturday, feel free to let me know."
stomachache | indigestion |
---|---|
nausea | acidosis |
colic | stomach upset |
a stomach ache | a bellyache |
an upset stomach | a stomach upset |
- You're caring for a sick child or family member. ...
- You have a family emergency. ...
- You have food poisoning. ...
- You have a migraine. ...
- You need to care for a sick pet. ...
- You have a last-minute dentist or doctor's appointment. ...
- You're having car trouble. ...
- You have a household problem.
How do you say not feeling well professionally?
- "I don't feel well." "I am feeling sick." ...
- "I am feeling very tired today." "I have been feeling very run-down lately." ...
- "I have a bad headache." "I have a sore arm." ...
- "I'm sorry you're not feeling well. Maybe you should go home to bed?" ...
- "I'm still not feeling well."
- I'm sick. Obviously, this is the basic and straightforward way. ...
- I am sick as a dog. ...
- I have a cold. ...
- I'm under the weather. ...
- I am ill. ...
- I feel terrible. ...
- I have come down with something. ...
- I'm might be coming down with something.

"I started feeling ill last night and am not feeling any better today, so I need to take the day off." If you need several days off: "I have (the flu/a cold/etc.) and need to take the rest of the week off. (Coworker's name) will cover my shifts today and tomorrow, and I plan to return on Monday."
- And I want to know it, this secret, so badly that I get a stomach ache that lasts for a week. ...
- Probably if you didn't come he would start to cry, and run a fever..." `And get a stomach ache. ...
- He must have looked as if he had stomach ache, but the uncle was pleased.
A stomach ache is cramps or a dull ache in the tummy (abdomen). It usually does not last long and is often not serious. Severe abdominal pain is a greater cause for concern. Complete our self-help guide to check your symptoms and find out what to do next.
Application for sick leave: Sample 2
Dear Mr./Mrs. {Recipient's Name}, I am writing to let you know that I developed an acute case of food poisoning last night. I hoped it would go away by this morning, but it looks like I am still unwell. Please grant me leave for {X days} days so that I can take proper rest.
It's better to simply say you won't be in and leave it at that. It is good form to explain why you won't be coming in, but you don't necessarily have to share any specifics of your illness. Providing lengthy explanations as to why you can't come to work also might give the impression you are exaggerating or lying.
It's important to apologize for any inconvenience caused by your absence, as this effectively demonstrates team morale and responsibility. Make sure you end the phone call/email with an appreciative tone and ask if there's anything you can do while you're off.
Reach out to your manager via email or phone. Explain to them that you have food poisoning. Inquire about the number of sick days you have. State how you expect to be absent from work.
Message 1: Dear Sir/Madam, I have been not feeling well due to [sickness]. As per the doctor's advice, I have to take a rest for a minimum of two days to get recovered. So kindly accept my leave request for today and tomorrow. Hopefully, I get back to my work on [date].
Should I call in sick to work?
Let Your Boss Know as Soon as Possible
Provide as much notice as possible that you won't be attending work. If you can tell your boss that you will be taking a sick day the night before, or even as you are leaving the office, then do so. Otherwise, call, email or text first thing in the morning.
Keep the message short so your supervisor can quickly read it and adapt the schedule. Example: "Dear Bruno, I'm still recovering and need another day off. I expect to recover by Monday, so I will keep you updated and hopefully see you then. Thank you for understanding!"
- Let your manager know ASAP. ...
- Keep your explanation brief. ...
- Offer to make up any missed work. ...
- Let people know how to reach you. ...
- Call in backup. ...
- Set up an “out sick” message. ...
- What to do if you need extended medical leave.
If you're talking with a medical professional and you are uncomfortable using the word "diarrhea," you may want to say, "I have loose stool," or "I have the runs," and your healthcare provider will know what you're talking about.
stomach upset in British English
(ˈstʌmək ˈʌpsɛt ) noun. a slight illness affecting your stomach and/or bowels characterized by nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhoea. He was suffering from a stomach upset.
Indigestion, also known as dyspepsia, is a common condition. It can happen when your body has trouble digesting food. It occurs in your gastrointestinal (GI) tract.
Sick child/pet
A sick pet or child is a solid excuse because it's plausible and is so commonplace that it usually doesn't indicate a serious illness and doesn't require much explanation beyond a handful of random symptoms. Any parent of a child or pet has definitely used this excuse before.
unsatisfactory, too little too late, not up to par, unworthy.
"Hi. I'm reaching out because I have an emergency I need to attend to. I will call as soon as I get a free moment to give you an update." You're likely not going to have time to give many details right away.
Example Messages for Calling (or Emailing) Out Sick
Hi Tim, I woke up feeling unwell this morning and think I may have a stomach bug. I'm not going to be able to come in today, but I should be back to work tomorrow. I'll try to answer client emails as they come, but I may be unavailable resting.
How do you say diarrhea politely?
- Delhi belly,
- flux,
- Montezuma's revenge,
- runs,
- trots,
- turista.
“An isolated incident of an upset stomach or bout of diarrhea can be caused by mild food poisoning, stress, or even medication,” says Papa. If you're feeling fine in the AM, it's all right to head to work—just make sure to drink plenty of fluids to make up for what you lost.
stomachache | indigestion |
---|---|
nausea | acidosis |
colic | stomach upset |
a stomach ache | a bellyache |
an upset stomach | a stomach upset |
"I started feeling ill last night and am not feeling any better today, so I need to take the day off." If you need several days off: "I have (the flu/a cold/etc.) and need to take the rest of the week off. (Coworker's name) will cover my shifts today and tomorrow, and I plan to return on Monday."
Hi [Name of your manager or supervisor], I'm sending this email to inform you that I can't come to the office today. I've been feeling under the weather since [when the symptoms occurred – yesterday, last night, etc.]. I went to the hospital and the doctor said I've got [illness].
- You're caring for a sick child or family member. ...
- You have a family emergency. ...
- You have food poisoning. ...
- You have a migraine. ...
- You need to care for a sick pet. ...
- You have a last-minute dentist or doctor's appointment. ...
- You're having car trouble. ...
- You have a household problem.
If you want to let your boss know that you have diarrhea, but not use the word or say anything explicit, you should say something like: “I'm afraid I have a bit of a stomach bug and need to stay home.” “It may have been something I ate, but I'm really not feeling well.”
(ˈstʌmək ˈʌpsɛt ) a slight illness affecting your stomach and/or bowels characterized by nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhoea. He was suffering from a stomach upset. Stomach upsets account for nearly half of all sicknesses. She's had a stomach upset and is on antibiotics.
Likewise, if your symptoms are digestive (nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea), stay home until you're feeling better. But if you have a simple dry cough with no fever, it's probably safe to go to work, school or other public places.
If you have a fever, you are very likely to have a contagious illness. If your temperature is anything higher than 100 degrees F, you shouldn't go to work and expose everyone else to your illness.
When should you stay home from work?
All employees should stay home if they are sick until at least 24 hours after their fever* (temperature of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or 37.8 degrees Celsius or higher) is gone. Temperature should be measured without the use of fever-reducing medicines (medicines that contains ibuprofen or acetaminophen).
Don't be a hero. You do not want to put fellow workers at risk, whether you have the flu, pinkeye, severe cold or other infection. Most people who get the flu know it. Symptoms include cough, sore throat, runny (or stuffy) nose, headache, body aches, fatigue, chills, possibly vomiting or diarrhea and fever.
- blah.
- crummy.
- miserable.
- nauseated.
- pale.
- queasy.
- shaky.
- sick as a dog.
1 infirm, indisposed. 2 nauseous, nauseated.
Indigestion, also known as dyspepsia, is a common condition. It can happen when your body has trouble digesting food. It occurs in your gastrointestinal (GI) tract.