Sending a text message to say you are calling in sick to work?

Question

Ok - background on our office 'rules': When calling in sick, we are supposed to try and contact our boss. If she doesn't answer, we are supposed to leave her a voicemail and then contact two of our co-workers to be sure that someone in the office knows you aren't going to be there.

This morning a co-worker of mine left a voicemail for our boss (our boss is out of the office today in a meeting). The girl who called in sick also supposedly sent a TEXT MESSAGE to two of my co-workers. Funny thing is, neither one of them got it. So, when she never showed up, we called her to make sure she was ok, and she got all shitty with us. We basically told her that when she calls in sick, she should really leave a voicemail to make sure that someone gets it, because text messages don't always go through. She's pissed. *Sigh*

So... What do you guys think? When calling in sick, should you leave a voicemail or send a text message?

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

i would never ever send a text message to say i was sick. i would say - its always phone first then a follow up with an email. if you are sick at home a quick email shouldnt be an inconvenience. besides, im a firm believer in CYA, email does that for you - esp with a read receipt...

Asker's Rating:

Asker's Comment:

Agreed.

(If anyone cares, it's the psycho that I'm always having issues with. We were getting along last week, and now she's ticked off at me again. I swear the chick is bi-polar.)

Answer 2

absolutely she ought to have left a voice mail. Leaving a text message assumes that you and your co worker actually use text messaging- which there is no guarantee that you do, and she cannot expect it. Further more it is unprofessional to send text messages- a co worker deserves the respect of actually being contacted by phone- not in some short hand messaging format. If anyone has a right to be angry you do because you were the one who was forced to call her at home since she did not follow protocol.

Source(s):

Common Sense

Answer 3

Well at least she wasn't leaving a text message for your boss, that would be worse. I once had one of my employees just send me an email stating he wasn't coming in that day - and I was his boss!

Since she was just informing her co-workers that she was out a text isn't horrible but I think she could have upgraded and sent you an email, via her work email account. If she doesn't have access to that then she should have left you a VM.

Answer 4

To me it would be just more respectful to actually make the phone call and leave a message and also make a phone call to a co worker. Text messaging is unreliable since everyone doesn't always have their cell with them or on all the time and it is very unprofessional. It sounds like she just didn't want to deal with talking to anyone.

Answer 5

We actually had to do a counseling record on an employee and we updated our policy's to make sure they clearly stated "you must contact a supervisor or mid manager. No voicemails or text messages are acceptable call ins."


They know "texting" in is neither professional or acceptable. It is their responsibility to actually speak to someone to ensure their work is taken care of.

Answer 6

Voicemail is not a sufficient call-off method in my office. I must call my boss, leave a message if he doesn't answer, then call the next manager, leaver her a mmessage if she doesn't answer and then proceed down the line to Supervisors. We MUST talk to someone when calling off. It's ridiculous. If I'm REALLY sick, I don't want to be calling 5 different people just to tell them I'm sick.

Answer 7

If the choice is only between leaving a text or a voice mail, then I say voice mail for the reasons you stated. Talking to an actual person is better than the other two options though. It leaves less room for confusion.

Answer 8

A voicemail. She should have called the other coworkers and not sent a text. There are so many companies that require you to shut your cell phone off while at work. Sending a text is just unprofessional.

Answer 9

If I was on a more personal level with my co-worker I'd probably call and leave a voice mail and send a text. If I don't know my co-workers that much I'd just leave the voice mail.

Answer 10

Voicemail, for sure. Texting is unreliable, in my experience.

Answer 11

Voicemail is the way to get txts get lost all the time. She is stupid to get mad at yall. If she wants to be professional she should leave a voicemail

Answer 12

Definitely leave a voice mail... Text message isn't as professional.

Answer 13

In our office, we do both to the boss and both to another employee. People send e-mails to me also to tell me they own't be in.

Answer 14

Voicemail!

Answer 15

VM for sure....text seems unprofessional....

Answer 16

ahah thats so unprofessional leaving a text message...
definitely leave a voice mail..

Answer 17

Voicemail, at the very least.

If she doesn't care enough to at least do that, then maybe she doesn't need her job very much.

Answer 18

who leaves a text message??? oh lord...definetly a voice mail

Answer 19

Both

Answer 20

I would do both. The only reason I would even send a text in the first place is because I am really good friends with my immediate supervisor. Our kids are friends and we often take them places together on the weekends. So, that is the only reason I would send a text to her. But, I would also call and make sure she got the text if I did send one. So, I would end up calling anyway.

Anyway, if the situation was different and I didn't know my supervisor so well, I would definitely call and not even bother sending a text at all. In other words, I think your co-worker should have called, too.

Answer 21

Whenever one of my people is sick they are suppose to call my cell before start time to let me know they won't be in. I got so sick of the 6AM phone calls (and listening to fake coughs) that I told everyone to just text me from now on when they would be out. But they know I will text them back to let them know I got the message or to tell them they are a big stupid faker and to get their butt to work.

She should have confirmed with someone.