The Best Excuses To Work From Home

Let’s be real, sometimes, there are just days when you want to avoid a long commute, need some peace and quiet, or deal with personal matters. And to do that on a normal workday, your best option will just be to work from home.

So, which good excuse works best for this? What scenario will your boss believe so that he can approve your work from home request?

The idea is to use valid, believable reasons that show you’re still serious about getting your work done. 

With that in mind, I have listed some of the best excuses you can use to work from home, plus a few tips to make sure you can come up with a valid reason! 

Last Minute Excuses To Work From Home

1. Health Related Concerns

Everyone understands the importance of health – be it mental health or physical health. I mean, who can say no if you say you are experiencing a sudden illness? So these are usually the easiest last-minute excuses you can use.

Here are some examples of medical condition excuses you can use:

• Feeling Under the Weather – Even if it’s just a slight cold or headache, it’s better to stay home and avoid spreading germs. You can say that you have a headache that’s making it hard to focus and you believe you will be more productive working from home. Also, say that you will work from home today so you don’t risk getting anyone else sick.
• Allergies Acting Up – Seasonal allergies can be a pain, especially when you’re sneezing non-stop or have itchy eyes. You can say that your allergies are really bad today, and you are constantly sneezing. You will be able to work better from home where you can manage them.
• Doctor’s Appointment – You can tell your boss that you have a checkup relating to a health concern and that you will immediately return to your tasks once you are back home. Your medical appointment can range from a dentist appointment, to medical needs, and more. 
• Food Poisoning – Another common medical reason is you not feeling well due to food poisoning. You could say that you have been throwing up or going to the bathroom nonstop and you will have to work from home. They would probably recommend a sick leave but it will be up to you.   

2. Family Emergencies

Sometimes, family life and work life overlap. When family obligations are present, working from home can be the perfect solution.

• Kids Day Off – from sick days to school holidays or closures, kids can make heading to the office a challenge. You can say something along the lines of “My child is home sick, and I need to be here to care for them. I’ll work remotely and be sure to stay on top of my tasks.” You can also say that your kid has no school today and that you have no one else at home to look after your kid. 
• Unexpected Family Situations – Life is unpredictable, and an uncalled family emergency can pop up on a random work day. You can say that a family member needs help with something urgent, and you need to be home to assist them. But promise that you will still be able to work productively at home. 

3. Bad Weather Problems

Bad weather is another common and understandable reason to stay home especially when the circumstances are close to getting dangerous. 

• Stormy Days – Rainstorms or heavy winds can make commuting very stressful or even dangerous. If the conditions are really bad, you can say that the roads are flooded in your area, and you don’t want to risk driving to work since you can also be stuck in traffic. 
• Bad Snow Day – Your place could’ve been piled up with snow. Plus, no one wants to risk sliding on icy roads or getting stuck in a snowstorm. You can message your boss along the lines of “The weather forecast says there’s heavy snow coming, so I’d prefer to work remotely to avoid travel delays.”

4. Home-Related Excuses

There could be some problems at home that need your immediate assistance. This can be a great excuse to work from home! 

• Plumbing or Appliance Issues – From urgent matters like water leak to broken appliances, home issues will definitely require your immediate attention. You can say:
  • “The plumber is coming to fix a leak today, and I need to be here to let them in. I’ll work remotely while they’re here.”
  • “My refrigerator broke, and the repair person is scheduled for today. I’ll work from home so I can manage it.”
• Pest Control – Dealing with pests isn’t fun, but it’s something you can’t ignore. You can say that you have a pest control appointment, and you need to be home to handle it. Just reassure your boss that you will still be continuing work from home. 

5. Productivity Concerns 

Sometimes, working from home simply makes more sense for your workload especially if there are certain projects or equipment you need that your office does not have. 

For example, some tasks require total concentration, and the office isn’t always the best place for that. You may also need a quiet place for an important meeting or presentation. Here are some excuses you can send to your boss:

• “I have several video meetings today, and working from home will give me the quiet environment I need.”
• “I’m working on a big report that needs my full focus. I’ll be more efficient working from home.”

6. Transportation Issues

Whether you’re driving yourself to work or commuting, transportation issues are a legitimate reason to skip going to the office and work from home. 

• Car Trouble – When your car won’t cooperate (flat tire, won’t turn on, etc), staying home might be your only option. You can say that your car won’t start this morning, and you are waiting for a mechanic. You will work remotely in the meantime while you get the problem sorted.
• Public Transportation Issues – Trains and buses aren’t always reliable, and that is definitely not your fault. There could be times when the tried is under construction and has stopped operating in the meantime. With this, you can just say that you will work from home to avoid wasting time waiting for the train to arrive.
• Traffic Jams or Road Closures – A car accident or road closure can make commuting twice as long as necessary. And with that, you can use this as a good reason to say you can work from home for the day. 

7. Mental Health and Personal Reasons

Always remember that your mental well-being is just as important as your physical health. With that said, a mental health day will never hurt anyone. 

You can be as detailed and say that you have a therapy session for the day, and working from home will make it easier for you to balance your schedule.

You can also just say that you are not feeling quite well mentally and you will be able to focus on work today in your home office. 

8. Technology-Related Excuses

If there are certain projects where you will need better equipment than you have at the office, then it is a great reason to be on your work setup at home instead. 

Another reason could be internet issues at the office or other technical difficulties with your office setup. 

9. Training Schedules 

Learning new skills does not only benefit you but also your employer since you will be able to share your knowledge and improved skills with them. 

This is why having training and learning appointments are acceptable excuses to work from home. 

• Online Course or Certification – Say that you are taking an online course today, and working from home will help you balance it with your work responsibilities. Just reassure your boss that you will not be missing work this day.
• Attending a Virtual Event – Webinars or virtual conferences can be easier to manage from home. Plus, you can easily return to your work duties right after. 

10. Special Circumstances

Urgent circumstances can randomly appear and these excuses can be equally valid. Here are some of the most common excuses that you can use: 

• Pet Emergency – You could have a sick pet that needs urgent vet care or medication. 
• Moving Day – If you’re in the middle of a move, working from home can definitely make things easier. Just say that you are coordinating movers today, so you will be working remotely in the meantime. 

Tips to Make Your Excuse Work

If you want to work from home, how you ask is just as important as your reason. First, keep your excuse simple. 

You don’t need to give too much detail, too much information can make it sound less believable. A clear and straightforward reason is all you need. 

Also, share a plan for how you’ll get your work done at home. Let your boss know what tasks you’ll focus on and that you’ll be available for calls or emails. 

Finally, ask early if you can. As much as possible, do not wait until the last minute—it might leave your boss scrambling to adjust on short notice. 

Giving them plenty of time to prepare makes it easier for them to say yes. Follow these tips, and you’ll have a better chance of getting your work-from-home day approved.

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