26 | Sick Days

Today you will learn 5 new English words related to "Sick Days"

Author

SEWT Team
August 12, 2025

Understanding “sick day” policies is vital for you as an ESL learner navigating English-speaking workplaces or educational settings. Knowing how to properly request time off, explain symptoms, and understand employer or school expectations is crucial for maintaining professional or academic standing. Today’s vocabulary is practical due to it being related to health, work, and communication, while also addressing cultural nuances regarding taking time off for illness. So, let’s jump right in!

5 TERMS

  1. Absence (Noun): The state of being away from a place, such as work or school, often due to illness.

  2. Sick Leave (Noun): Time off from work or school due to illness, typically with pay.

  3. Recovery (Noun): The process of returning to health after an illness or injury.

  4. Doctor’s Note (Noun): A written statement from a physician to confirm that someone is ill and unable to work or attend school.

  5. Contagious (Adjective): Describes an illness that can be spread from one person to another.

EXAMPLE SENTENCES

  1. Absence

    • His absence from work was due to a severe cold.

    • The company allows paid absence for employees who are sick.

    • I have to notify my teacher about my absence from school today.

  2. Sick Leave

    • She used one day of sick leave to recover from the flu.

    • Employees are entitled to a certain number of sick leave days per year.

    • After calling in sick, he filled out the necessary sick leave form.

  3. Recovery 

    • She’s making good recovery from her surgery and will be back at work soon.

    • Proper rest is essential for a fast recovery from the flu.

    • The doctor recommended taking a few more days off for complete recovery.

  4. Doctor’s Note

    • You’ll need to submit a doctor’s note to confirm your illness for the HR department.

    • She provided a doctor’s note to excuse her absence from work.

    • The school requires a doctor’s note after more than three days of missed classes.

  5. Contagious

    • You should stay home if you're feeling contagious to avoid spreading germs.

    • The flu is highly contagious in the early stages.

    • It’s important to avoid contact with contagious individuals to prevent illness.

EXAMPLE PARAGRAPH

When feeling unwell, understanding sick leave policies is essential. If symptoms are contagious, staying home prevents spreading illness, and a doctor's note may be required to validate the absence. The focus should be on recovery, allowing the body to heal and preventing a prolonged illness. Knowing the procedure for reporting an absence and understanding the company's or school's expectations ensures responsible management of sick days.