Illness And Injury At Work

In a business environment, employees sometimes need to take time off due to illness or injury. It is important to communicate effectively with employers, colleagues, and clients about health-related absences. First Business English knows that understanding the key vocabulary and phrases provided here can help employees navigate these situations professionally and confidently.

1. Key Vocabulary for Illness and Injury at Work

• Sick leave – Official time off work due to illness.

• Medical certificate – A document from a doctor confirming an illness.

• Flu – A common illness with fever, cough, and body aches.

• Cold – A mild illness with a runny nose and sore throat.

• Back pain – Discomfort in the back, often from sitting too long.

• Headache – Pain in the head.

• Injury – Physical harm, such as a sprained ankle or broken arm.

• Doctor’s appointment – A scheduled visit to a doctor.

• Recovery – The process of getting better after an illness or injury.

• Workload – The amount of work a person has.

2. Common Phrases for Talking About Illness and Taking Time Off

Calling in Sick

• “I’m not feeling well today, so I need to take a sick day.”

• “I have a fever and a cough. I won’t be able to come to work.”

• “I need to see a doctor and rest for a few days.”

• “I’ll send my medical certificate to HR.”

Discussing Work During Absence

• “Could you update me on my tasks when I return?”

• “Please let me know if anything urgent comes up.”

• “I’ll try to check my emails from home.”

• “Can someone cover my workload while I’m away?”

Returning to Work

• “I’m feeling much better and ready to get back to work.”

• “Thank you for covering for me while I was off.”

• “I’m still recovering, so I may need a lighter workload.”

3. Example Paragraph Using Business Phrases

Last week, Emma had to take sick leave because she caught the flu. She called her manager and said, “I have a high fever and body aches, so I won’t be able to come to work today.” Her manager replied, “I hope you feel better soon. Please send your medical certificate when you can.” While she was off, her colleague covered some of her workload. After four days of recovery, Emma emailed her team: “I’m feeling much better and will be back in the office tomorrow. Thank you for your support!” When she returned, her manager said, “Welcome back, Emma. Let me update you on the tasks you missed.”

4. Final Thoughts

Understanding how to talk about illness and injury at work helps employees communicate professionally. Knowing the right phrases makes it easier to request sick leave, update colleagues, and manage workload during recovery. Practicing these business English expressions will help employees handle health-related absences with confidence. To learn more simply book a lesson with us at First Business English.

Good Luck. Keep learning with First Business English. Best Business English Online.

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