How to Call in Sick Because of Your Period

Can you miss work because of your period?

Yes, period pain is a valid reason to miss work. In the United States, you’re entitled to use sick leave for personal medical reasons as you see fit, especially if your health will hinder your work performance; however, paid sick leave is not guaranteed. You can experience extreme cramps, bloating, fatigue, and body aches when you’re on your period. These are all acceptable reasons to miss work. Your health is the most important, and if you feel like you won’t be able to do your job, take the day to rest.

However, some employers may not be okay with it. Some bosses and employers may push back if you miss work because of period pain. Therefore, some people choose to not disclose to their manager that they're missing work because of their period. Do what’s best for your specific situation, and only disclose information about your health if you feel safe to do so within the company.

How much do you need to disclose to your boss?

What you share with your boss is entirely up to you. Some people feel comfortable sharing why they’re missing work, while others prefer to keep their reasons private. 33,000 cisgender women were asked in a survey if they’ve told their bosses they’ve called in sick because of their period. Only 20% of those women said they had. Every person in this survey had a valid reason to call in sick, just as you do. The most important thing is to do what’s best for you. If you’re not comfortable sharing your menstrual cycle symptoms with your boss, that’s okay. If you’re super open about your period with your boss, that’s awesome too!

Documentation may be needed if you’re taking sick leave. Some companies might ask for proof that you saw a doctor or had an appointment during your paid sick leave. In this case, you may need to share a little more with your employer. Remember, you never have to disclose any personal health information under HIPAA law. This includes your doctor’s name, health care plans, diagnoses, or medications. If you see a doctor about severe period symptoms, ask for a doctor’s note at the end of the visit. This won’t disclose your reasons for seeing them but only prove you saw them on a specific date.

What You Can Say

“I’m not feeling well and need to take the day off.” Keep it short and simple for when you just need a day to rest. This message doesn’t disclose why you’re calling in sick but lets your boss know you’re feeling under the weather. “I’d like to take a personal day to focus on my health.” “I woke up with a migraine and am not feeling well. It’s probably best if I take a sick day to be at my best tomorrow.”

“I woke up with serious cramps and can’t come into the office.” A brief explanation could help if you want to work from home. Sometimes, you just need to curl up with a heat pack and work, so let your boss know—if you’re comfortable—that you need to take a work-from-home day. “My doctor advised me to take it easy due to severe period symptoms. Would it be possible to work from home today?” “I can’t come into the office due to a menstrual cycle issue. I’m seeing my doctor this morning, but would be happy to work from home for the rest of my shift.”

“I’ve had to schedule a last-minute doctor’s appointment this morning because I'm not feeling well.” This message doesn’t require further explanation yet expresses urgency, making it perfect for when disclosing your period isn’t an option. “I'm not feeling well and have scheduled an appointment with my doctor. I'll make sure I get to work early tomorrow to catch up on what I've missed.” “Can’t make today’s meeting. Had to schedule a doctor's appointment since I'm feeling under the weather. I’ll make sure to catch up tomorrow!”

Tips for Calling in Sick on Your Period

Keep your message brief. You don’t need to disclose any or everything to your boss. A short, sweet, and simple message saying you’ll be out sick can be enough. Let them know you’re feeling under the weather in one or two sentences.

Add an apology to your message. This will assure your boss that you’re being sincere and truly are sick. If missing work is the last thing you want to do, express it. Try writing something like: “I'm really sorry for the inconvenience.” “I'm sorry for missing the meeting today, but I’m prepared to make up for it when I'm back.”

Be prepared to offer solutions. You may miss some work when you’re out, so plan to make up for it. Let your boss know that you can make up the missed hours or have a plan with another coworker to swap shifts. This will show efficiency and dependability. Set up an email auto-reply stating that you’re out of the office but will be returning shortly. Offer to make up the hours you’ve missed while on your period later in the week or pick up an extra shift.