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SEEK Admin · 17 Aug 2025
Chucking a sickie – what's standard practice?
Here are some general "rules" to stick to:
- Call/message as soon as you know you're taking a day off
- Provide a general reason – "I have a migraine" is plenty of detail
- Hand over any urgent work
- Tell your boss asap if you need more time off
Here are some "call in sick" messages we prepared earlier: https://www.seek.com.au/career-advice/article/how-to-call-in-sick-to-work
What’s your standard sickie message?
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Anon703132 · 23d ago
Practice Assistant
I think "I'm not feeling well" is completely sufficient. Your employer is not your doctor and has no entitlement to your medical information.
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Scott · 21 Aug 2025
Senior Visual Designer
The term 'chucking a sicky' suggests that you are not actually sick, but need a day off. That's fine IMO if you need to recharge the batteries and you don't do it often. Just remember to keep the reason for the 'sicky' brief. Liars tend to elaborate!
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Samuel · 26d ago
Group Facilitator
Honestly most employers don’t care. Unless actually sick just say you are not coming in that day. Unless it repeats with no explained one or twice a year isn’t going to hurt. They want to keep staff but you are replaceable. Just don’t abuse it too much and you’ll be fine.
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harry · 16d ago
Restoration Role
Some people actually get sick call in early and then get sacked and they never take time off.
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Anon366794 · 9d ago
Vehicle Accessory Fitter
called in sick due to injury, work used holiday pay instead 😂 they have no idea what they started
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Anon413054 · 3d ago
Crew
is sick and tired of life a reason
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Anon866842 · 8d ago
Warehouse Coordinator
Entitlements are there for you to use.
But, the question I would be asking myself is why you are using them out of parameters. Is there something not right with day? Why don't I want to have to deal with these people? Sick of the pressure.. The drive is just to much today.
If you are asking and stating above or similar I think you need more than a holiday than sickie.
But,
If this is lack interest or culture at work that you find unappealing yet ongoing. I think you are on the right website.
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Lee · 4d ago
Social Trainer/Supervisor
Do you need a medical certificate if you need to take carers leave for family member with a disability- not sick but support cancelled and cover needed
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Anon457054 · 15h ago
Food and Beverage Attendant
I think for women- period pains/ cramps is completely valid!! because it does affect your physical nature and how you usually operate, can give terrible back pain on top of the cramps, as well as headaches.
- ‘I’m having a bad migraine and pain killers aren’t working’ as I know this really happens to some people,
- ‘Sorry I’m really stressed out from personal things and I need a mental health day’
as well as ‘I’m not feeling well today but will be back in asap’
hope this helps <3
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Anon457054 · 16h ago
Food and Beverage Attendant
just saying that you’re not coming in is definitely not good enough and will make things turn sour pretty fast
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