Sick means sick—but reporting illness often leads to unnecessary misunderstandings: When do you call, who do you notify, when do you need a doctor's note? If you understand the basics, you will be fair to your team and protect your own position.
What you should do immediately
Notify your employer as soon as you know you are unable to work—ideally before your shift or workday starts. Keep your message short, factual, and reliable.
- Inform the relevant person (supervisor/staffing coordinator/HR) and give an expected duration
- Stick to the facts: no diagnosis, no unnecessary details
- Check whether your company requires a phone call or if a message is enough
- Update your employer if your time away changes
Tip: Notify early, communicate clearly, remain reachable—but don’t give a health report.
Sick notes, deadlines, temporary work: common pitfalls
Many people think: you only need a doctor's note from the third day. Often true—but your employer can require one earlier. What matters is your employment contract, company policies and, if applicable, any collective agreement.
Practical for day-to-day work
- Note down your reporting procedures (important phone numbers, times, contacts).
- Save a short standard message you can adjust in an emergency.
- Submit your sick note/certificate of incapacity for work on time (or clarify how to use the digital eAU process).
Especially in temporary/agency work: Always properly inform the company you are working at—usually via your staffing agency. That way, shift planning stays on track and your employment remains secure.