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Business English · Module 4 · Unit 13

Calling in Sick

Pre B1 Intermediate

Learning Objectives

In this lesson, you will discuss calling in sick and learn practical vocabulary for daily communication.

Situation

Alex contacts Mr. Miller early in the morning to report an illness and request sick leave. Mr. Miller accepts the notification and asks Alex to hand off urgent tasks so the team can cover the workload.

Discussion

Direction: Answer these questions.
  1. How do you usually inform your manager when you are too sick to work?
  2. What information should an employee provide when requesting a sick day?
  3. How early should an employee notify their supervisor before their shift starts?

New Words & Expressions

Direction: Listen and repeat these words with your teacher.

  • Under the weather

    Expression / Adjective

    /ˈʌn.dɚ ðə ˈweð.ɚ/

    Meaning:Feeling slightly sick, ill, or indisposed.

    Alex called his manager to explain that he was feeling under the weather.

    Real Life Tip:

    A polite, professional, and very common phrase used in American workplaces to announce illness without giving overly detailed personal health specifics.

  • Out of commission

    Idiom

    /aʊt əv kəˈmɪʃ.ən/

    Meaning:Temporarily unable to work or function normally due to illness or injury.

    I will be completely out of commission today while I rest and recover.

    Real Life Tip:

    Frequently used in corporate settings to communicate total unavailability for meetings or tasks.

  • Mental health day

    Noun Phrase / Informal

    /ˈmen.təl helθ deɪ/

    Meaning:A day taken off from work to reduce stress, prevent burnout, and refresh mental balance.

    After finishing the major product launch, Alex decided to take a mental health day.

    Real Life Tip:

    Modern US companies increasingly treat mental health days like standard sick leave to promote well-being.

  • Cover for

    Phrasal Verb

    /ˈkʌv.ɚ fɔːr/

    Meaning:To perform someone else's responsibilities or work duties while they are absent.

    Sarah offered to cover for Alex during the afternoon client presentation.

    Real Life Tip:

    Standard workplace phrase emphasizing teamwork and supporting colleagues during unexpected absences.

Conversation

Direction:

  • Listen carefully as your teacher reads the conversation aloud.
  • Role-play the conversation with your teacher
Alex calls Mr. Miller to report an illness and arrange task coverage for the day.
  • Alex
    Good morning Mr. Miller, I am feeling under the weather today.
  • Mr. Miller
    Thanks for letting me know early, Alex. Will you be taking sick leave?
  • Alex
    Yes, I am completely out of commission and need to rest today.

Q&A

Direction: Answer the questions based on the conversation.
  1. Is Alex feeling under the weather today?
  2. Will Alex be out of commission for the workday?
  3. Does Mr. Miller ask Sarah to cover for Alex?

Professional Standards for Calling in Sick

Exercise

Direction: Choose the correct answer to complete each sentence, then read it aloud. Each question gives you 5 Points.

  1. I need to take a sick day today because I am feeling ________.

  2. Can you please ________ me while I am out of the office today?

  3. Yesterday, Alex ________ in sick because he had a high fever.

  4. If Sarah is out of commission tomorrow, I ________ take over her meetings.

  5. feeling / I / am / weather / the / under / today

  6. team / will / for / my / cover / me / today

Ask Your Teacher

Direction: Ask your teacher these questions.
  1. How do you usually notify your supervisor when under the weather?
  2. Who usually steps in to cover for you when taking leave?
  3. What is your opinion on taking a dedicated mental health day?

Your Time To Speak

Direction: Answer using the language you have learned in this lesson. Talk about yourself!
  1. Do you call your boss when feeling under the weather?
  2. Have you ever had to cover for a sick colleague unexpectedly?
  3. How do you manage urgent deadlines when out of commission?
  4. Why do modern companies encourage taking a mental health day?
  5. What do you think makes employees reluctant to call in sick?
  6. Would you agree that taking a mental health day restores focus?
  7. Is it true that resting helps when out of commission?
  8. Would you call in sick if feeling slightly under the weather?
  9. What if a colleague refuses to cover for your team duties?
  10. What would you do if you fell out of commission suddenly?
  11. What do you think will happen if workers skip sick leave?
  12. Which is better, calling in sick or working while unwell?
  13. What should employees do before taking a mental health day?
  14. What do you think causes severe stress needing a mental break?
  15. What happens if nobody can cover for your missed shift?
Mr. Miller
Understood. Do you have any pressing client meetings scheduled today?
  • Alex
    I have one presentation at 2:00 PM with our supply vendor.
  • Mr. Miller
    Send Sarah the details so she can cover for you during that session.
  • Alex
    I will email her the files now before I log off for the day.
  • Mr. Miller
    Perfect. Focus on resting, and take a mental health day if needed tomorrow.