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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Is no sleep a reasonable excuse for calling in sick to work?

238 replies

Catermellor · 20/03/2026 05:36

Is ‘I haven’t slept at all’ a reasonable excuse for not going to work?

I really haven’t. I might have had two hours maybe 9-11 and then maybe dozed for half an hour between 4 and 430’but that’s it and that’s a generous guess. I feel all shaky and horrible and I just want to catch up on some sleep.

OP posts:

JMSA · 20/03/2026 06:28

It’s not something I would do.

bluetongue · 20/03/2026 06:25

If you need to drive to work please call in sick (or work from home). It’s the equivalent of driving drunk

Original poster

Catermellor · 20/03/2026 06:24

ilovesooty · 20/03/2026 05:55

I think Friday and Monday absences are given extra weight in Bradford Factor calculations.

I only work Fridays and Mondays!

I’ve been up all night with a child, it’s been horrible as every time I started to doze off I was disturbed again, over and over.

OP posts:

Hotcrossed · 20/03/2026 06:21

Mmmchocolatebuttons · 20/03/2026 05:53

That is completely insane.

Show quote history

it is sitll one episode though

ThatInbetweenBigCoatAndJacketWeather · 20/03/2026 06:21

Christ, this is my sleep pretty much every night. I’d never be at work if I did that.

Cup of tea, shower, fresh air and an early night.

MoonBeamsBright · 20/03/2026 06:20

I've called in after 2 nights of no sleep at all, not even 30 mins after a weekend in hospital a few times (my family have poor health). I've generally forced myself through a single night.

How are you getting there? Will you feel safe to drive, for instance? I walk in, which makes itan easier decision.

Stnam · 20/03/2026 06:20

An enormous amount of people suffer from insomnia and other sleep problems. The sleep deprived do generally go to work. As others have said, if you feel you really can't go to work then you may have add a bit more to your reason.

NetZeroZealot · 20/03/2026 06:19

Depends on your job.

Im a bad sleeper but know I can get through the day if I have to on just a couple of hours.

Mistymagic77 · 20/03/2026 06:18

KimberleyClark · 20/03/2026 05:46

Bear in mind that if you call in sick today it will count as three days sick leave, not one.

No it won’t. Definitely only 1 day legally, unless contracted to work weekends.

MummyWillow1 · 20/03/2026 06:18

KimberleyClark · 20/03/2026 05:46

Bear in mind that if you call in sick today it will count as three days sick leave, not one.

How? Only days you are scheduled to work count as sick. If you are being counted as sick for days you aren’t scheduled you need to take that up with your employer.

JustMyView13 · 20/03/2026 06:12

This really depends on your job. If you’re a surgeon, absolutely call in sick. If you’re a lorry driver, call in sick. If you have an office job you can wfh, and prioritise key activities, do that. As others have said, what caused your lack of sleep?
Only you know if you can get by, but if it’s merely lack of sleep & you’re planning on taking the day sick, consider phrasing it that you’ve been ‘up all night unwell’. They’ll read between the lines and assume you have a bug.

BlueOceanFish · 20/03/2026 06:12

Sorry but going against the grain, unless you’re working heavy machinery or doing brain surgery just get through it! I wouldn’t work if I called in sick when I had a bad nights sleep!

ADHDDoomScroller · 20/03/2026 06:12

KimberleyClark · 20/03/2026 05:46

Bear in mind that if you call in sick today it will count as three days sick leave, not one.

Of course it won't!

EdithBond · 20/03/2026 06:08

Yes, you can take time off sick if you haven’t slept and this will make you unfit to work.

All good employers would say to take time off if you’ve not slept. It’s likely to be the result of a health problem(e.g. anxiety) so make an appointment with your GP if it’s not the first occurrance.

superchick · 20/03/2026 06:07

KimberleyClark · 20/03/2026 06:01

Well I know for sure that if you take a Friday and Monday off sick that counts as four days.

Show quote history

I can't speak for your employers but that's not standard practice

Rainbowchicken · 20/03/2026 06:06

As a person who frequently sleeps badly, no sleep feels terrible when it's time to get up, but by the time you've got up, had a shower, breakfast, coffee etc and got on with your day its really not that bad. So yes I would go in, especially as it's Friday.

KimberleyClark · 20/03/2026 06:01

Lomonald · 20/03/2026 05:54

That was maybe just their policy I don't think that is universalyl a thing in the work place as pp said It probably wasn't legal.

Edited

Show quote history

Well I know for sure that if you take a Friday and Monday off sick that counts as four days.

Scotflyer · 20/03/2026 05:55

I would definitely phone in sick as lack of sleep is worse than having too much to drink. Advise your employers you have caught a bug oof some sort or you think that you have a viral infection.

ilovesooty · 20/03/2026 05:55

I think Friday and Monday absences are given extra weight in Bradford Factor calculations.

Boots89 · 20/03/2026 05:55

Just say you've been unwell in the night.

Lomonald · 20/03/2026 05:54