You’re at work and want to go home early. What do you do? Coming up, I’m going to share 10 good excuses to leave work early on short notice. You can use these excuses to attend a job interview or simply get some time off if you’re exhausted.
It’s important to approach these requests professionally. Clear communication is key. A strong reputation for reliability also helps. This ensures your supervisor and colleagues view occasional early departures as rare exceptions, not regular occurrences.
Highlights
- To maintain credibility, ensure your reason for leaving is believable and fits the situation.
- Consider the company culture and your employer’s expectations before deciding on an excuse.
- Depending on the excuse, be prepared for potential follow-up questions and have a consistent story.
- Avoid sharing too much detail about why you need to leave.
- Excuses should be used sparingly as habitual early departures are not recommended.
Understanding the Workplace Policy on Leaving Early
Each company has its own policies for time off, sick leave, personal time, and leaving work early. Before requesting to leave early, familiarize yourself with your workplace’s policy on early departures.
Knowing the guidelines helps you approach the situation appropriately and ensures your request aligns with company expectations.
This ultimately helps you handle the request, documentation, and approval processes the right way. Check the employee handbook or consult HR if you need clarification on the rules.
How to Professionally Ask to Leave Work Early
When asking to leave work early, it’s important to approach the situation professionally and tactfully.
Here are some key considerations to keep in mind:
- Timing Your Request: Choose an appropriate moment when your supervisor is not busy or stressed. Giving as much advance notice as possible shows consideration and respect for their time.
- Communicating With Your Boss:
- Framing Your Request: Use a polite and professional tone. For example, “I have a personal matter that requires my attention. May I leave early today?”
- Information to Include and What to Withhold: Include essential details like the reason and how your tasks will be managed in your absence. Withhold overly personal information to maintain professional boundaries.
Dharmesh Shah, Founder and CTO at HubSpot:
“Your goal should be to work in a job where you sometimes leave on time — but not always. Sometimes you leave early (because the company cares more about results than how long you’re at you’re desk), and sometimes you leave later (not because you have to, but because you want to) – to help others, to finish what you started, to get one more thing done…
And, you should work in a place where sometimes you leave early, because it’s your daughter’s first dance recital, or you’re heading out for the weekend for your best friend’s wedding.
Remember, not all hours are created equal. Some hours matter way more than others. Optimize for overall effectiveness and happiness. Both you and your company will be better off.”
(Source: LinkedIn)
Good Excuses to Leave Work Early
- Feeling dizzy
- Feeling nauseous or ill
- Migraine headache
- Doctor’s appointment
- Dental emergency
- Sick child
- Family emergency
- An important delivery or repair at home
- Getting your car fixed
- Triggered security alarm
- Banking or legal matters
- School pickup/school event
All of these are good excuses to leave work on short notice. However, some may be better than others depending on the time of day and situation.
Coming up, I’ll share more on the pros and cons of each reason, and what to say if you decide to use one of these excuses to get out of work.
PRO TIP
Whichever excuse you choose, be direct and brief. Avoid sharing too much detail. A few succinct sentences are enough to convey your reason without over-explaining. The best excuses are concise and straightforward.
1. Feeling Dizzy
Feeling dizzy is one of the best excuses to leave work early, especially on short notice. It’s a great excuse because it’s quite hard for an employer to doubt you or say they still need you to stay.
Pros
- Health concerns are typically respected and taken seriously.
- Easy to understand without needing a detailed explanation.
Cons
- Could be perceived as minor unless severe.
What to say
“I’d like to go home early. I’m feeling quite dizzy and I am not sure why.”
IMPORTANT THINGS TO REMEMBER
- Inform your supervisor as soon as you feel unwell.
- Ensure your responsibilities are covered.
- Rest and seek medical attention if needed.
2. Feeling nauseous or ill
Next, you can report feeling sick in general or feeling nauseous. Like the excuse above, this will allow you to leave work early with little or no questions asked.
Pros
- Most employers will not request a doctor’s note.
- Prevents spreading illness to colleagues.
Cons
- It might require follow-up if it happens frequently.
What to say
“Hi [Supervisor’s Name], I’m feeling quite nauseous and think it’s best if I head home to rest. I’ve made sure my tasks are up to date. Thank you for understanding.”
IMPORTANT THINGS TO REMEMBER
- Feeling sick in general is a good excuse to call out of work before the workday, too.
- Use discretion with this excuse if your boss is unsympathetic to sick leave.
3. Migraine headache
A migraine is another one of the best excuses to leave work on short notice, especially if you’re feeling extreme sensitivity to light and sound (which is a common symptom of migraines).
Pros
- No doctor’s note or proof of medical appointment is required.
- Employers are unlikely to pressure you to stay if you cite light sensitivity and pain as symptoms.
- Unlike reasons like dental emergency, the excuse is tenable multiple times throughout the year within reason.
Cons
- Lack of visible symptoms might lead to disbelief.
- In some instances, it can invite unwanted attention or concern from coworkers.
What to say
“Hi [Supervisor’s Name], I’m experiencing a severe migraine and extreme sensitivity to light. I need to go home to rest. I’ll ensure my work is covered before I leave. Thank you for understanding.”
IMPORTANT THINGS TO REMEMBER
- You don’t need to go into extensive detail, but a brief explanation can build trust.
- While you might leave early, the unfinished work might pile up for the next day.
4. Doctor’s appointment
Saying you need to attend a doctor’s appointment is another good reason to leave work early. You don’t need to name a specific illness to use this excuse.
Pros
- Health-related appointments are usually respected and seen as important.
- You’re unlikely to face any extensive questions.
Cons
- You may need to provide proof of the appointment.
What to say
“I need to leave a few hours early to attend a doctor’s appointment. I’ve been waiting to hear about availability and the doctor just had a cancellation open up.
If I don’t go now, I’m not sure when I will get an appointment, and this is an important appointment for me.”
IMPORTANT THINGS TO REMEMBER
- If possible, schedule during non-peak hours.
- Supervisors might look for visible signs of illness.
- Not all workplaces have a relaxed culture where occasional early departures for doctor’s appointments are accepted without scrutiny.
PRO TIP
Depending on your employer, you may be asked for a doctor’s note the next day. So, think about whether your boss is likely to request a doctor’s note before you use this excuse!
5. Dental emergency
You can also use a last-minute dental appointment or emergency to leave work early. This is an excuse I’ve used in the past while working as a recruiter.
I noticed a strange feeling in one of my teeth and called my dentist for an appointment. Just before lunch, the dentist scheduled me in, and I informed my boss immediately. He was understanding and suggested I return the next day.
Pros
- Immediate health issues, especially emergencies, are often respected.
- Usually not questioned due to the urgency of the situation.
Cons
- Frequent dental emergencies may suggest poor planning of regular check-ups.
What to say
“I need to leave work early today. I’m experiencing sudden tooth pain as of this morning and just received a message that my dentist can fit me in for an appointment today.”
IMPORTANT THINGS TO REMEMBER
- Your employer may ask for a note from the dentist.
- If you explain the urgency as severe toothache requiring immediate attention, be prepared to follow up the next day.
6. Sick child
If you have children, then their illness is another great excuse that you can use once or twice per year for leaving work early.
Most employers will let you go home early if your child falls ill and needs to be picked up from school, or needs immediate attention at home.
Pros
- Most companies will find this to be an acceptable excuse to leave work early on short notice.
- You shouldn’t need to provide much detail on the specifics.
Cons
- This might sometimes raise concerns about backup childcare plans.
What to say
“Hi [Supervisor’s Name], my child is sick and I need to leave early to take care of them. I have ensured my work is covered for today. Thank you for understanding.“
IMPORTANT THINGS TO REMEMBER
- Mention if you have a backup plan for future occurrences.
- Consider alternative childcare options for emergencies.
7. Family emergency
A family emergency is a more general excuse to leave work early. As long as you don’t have a track record of poor attendance or requesting “too much” time off, most bosses will accept this once per year with little question.
Pros
- Family emergencies are generally understood as urgent and important.
- It typically doesn’t require a detailed explanation.
Cons
- Your boss might be unsure of the urgency and potential impact of your absence.
- Some supervisors might consider the excuse vague and ask additional questions.
What to say
“Hi [supervisor’s name], a family situation has come up that requires me to leave early today. It’s urgent and unfortunately, I can’t go into details at the moment.
I’ll be sure to complete [urgent task] before I leave and will update you on the situation as soon as I can.“
IMPORTANT THINGS TO REMEMBER
- Use sparingly to maintain credibility.
- Be prepared to explain briefly if pressed.
8. An important delivery or repair at home
Saying that you’ve been notified that you need to be home for an important delivery or repair is another tenable excuse to leave work early. This is because it demonstrates a clear and specific reason for your early exit.
Pros
- Most people understand the need to be present for deliveries or repairs.
- Dealing with a repair immediately minimizes the overall disruption to your work schedule in the long run.
Cons
- It might not be regarded as urgent unless it’s an emergency.
What to say
“Hi, I have an important home repair/delivery that requires my presence this afternoon. I will need to leave before 3 PM.
I have completed my pending tasks and arranged for Jack to cover any other task that comes up. Thank you for understanding.”
IMPORTANT THINGS TO REMEMBER
- You may face follow-up questions with this excuse.
- Try to ensure your absence won’t impact critical tasks.
9. Getting your car fixed
If you commute by car, you can ask your employer to let you leave a few hours early to get your car fixed.
It’s a legitimate excuse because your employer understands the importance of reliable transportation for your daily commute.
Pros
- The request will likely be granted because a car in poor condition can be a safety hazard.
- It is generally understood that it’s an urgent and unexpected repair.
Cons
- If the car isn’t essential for your commute, the excuse may be questioned.
What to say
“Hi,
I’ve been concerned about my car recently and the mechanic had some availability open up at the last minute.
If I don’t go to this appointment, I could end up missing more work due to ongoing car trouble. I need to leave early today, but I’ve arranged for my tasks to be covered. Thank you for understanding.“
IMPORTANT THINGS TO REMEMBER
- Ensure your excuse is airtight as your supervisor might recommend scheduling repairs outside work hours.
- Make sure that any critical tasks are delegated or completed before you leave.
10. Triggered security alarm
A triggered security alarm indicates a potential threat to your property and personal safety. Your boss will understand that addressing it promptly is essential to ensure the security of your home.
Pros
- It is seen as urgent and unavoidable, particularly for safety reasons.
- Generally unquestioned by employers due to the potential severity of the situation.
Cons
- It can only be used rarely; frequent use may raise suspicion.
What to say
“Hello,
My home security alarm was just triggered. I need to head home immediately to check on the situation. I’ll be sure to complete [urgent task] before I leave and will keep you updated as soon as I know more.”
IMPORTANT THINGS TO REMEMBER
- When communicating the excuse, focus on the urgency and potential consequences of a security breach.
- Offer to follow up and explain the situation in more detail later.
11. Banking or legal matters
Banking and legal matters are often time-sensitive and cannot always be scheduled outside of work hours.
Your supervisor/boss understands that specific banking issues, such as urgent transactions or account problems, require immediate attention to avoid significant disruptions.
Pros
- The excuse is regarded as important and often time-sensitive.
- It is generally respected if infrequent and explained properly.
Cons
- Your supervisor may suggest resolving issues through digital channels if possible.
What to say
“[Supervisor’s name], I have an unexpected banking/legal matter that requires my attention this afternoon. I can finish [urgent task] before I leave and will be available remotely if anything urgent comes up.”
IMPORTANT THINGS TO REMEMBER
- Be clear about the timeframe you expect to be gone.
- Offer to complete urgent tasks before leaving.
- Avoid going into unnecessary details about the nature of the matter.
12. School pickup/school event
School pickups and events are often fixed and cannot be rescheduled. As a parent, being present for these moments is crucial and sometimes requires leaving work early.
Pros
- It is a legitimate reason if you have children.
- It is often respected by supervisors who understand family commitments.
Cons
- It requires careful planning to avoid frequent disruptions.
What to say
“If it’s alright, I’d like to leave a bit early today to pick up my child from school. They have a [briefly explain the event, e.g., play]. I’ve already finished [mention completed task] and well ahead of schedule with other tasks.”
IMPORTANT THINGS TO REMEMBER
- Focus on the specific event and short timeframe for your absence.
- If possible, offer to work remotely if the situation allows.
Bad Excuses for Leaving Work Early
I’ll keep this section brief, but it’s important to highlight two types of BAD reasons for leaving work early. Avoid these to maintain your professionalism and trust with your employer.
Never mention job interviews
Don’t tell your boss or HR that you need time off for job interviews at another company. This is NEVER a good idea.
Wait until you have accepted a new job offer before discussing your job search with your current employer. This approach protects your current position and maintains your professional image.
Avoid reasons you should have known in advance
Avoid using excuses like family obligations (e.g., a wedding or party) that you should have planned for in advance.
Your boss will wonder why you didn’t request time off earlier. Leaving work early puts your boss in a difficult position, so choose reasons that are genuinely last-minute and unavoidable.
These points are crucial because, as an experienced recruiter, I’ve seen how poor excuses can damage professional relationships and career prospects.
That’s why acceptable reasons for leaving early often relate to sudden illness or unpredictable emergencies. Planning and transparency are key to maintaining trust and professionalism in the workplace.
