Emergency Time Off for the Virtual Employee

As a virtual worker, you face the same issues with illness or emergency that someone who works outside of the home faces.  It is certainly possible that at some point, you will need time off on short notice due to illness or an emergency.  Some virtual employers offer vacation and sick time to their employees, but if you are freelancing, the situation is somewhat different if you need a day or two off.  What can you do to lessen the potential for problems if this occurs?

First, any reasonable employer, full-time or freelance, realizes that things happen and we get ill or need time off on occasion.  It's always best at the beginning of a virtual work relationship to go over expectations and contingencies.  Some virtual jobs are such that if you know you will need a couple days off, you can get ahead on your work, so there won't be as much backlog waiting for you when you return to your job or much difficulty during your absence.  Depending on the job, you might also try to have a substitute in place that can handle some of your responsibilities.  If you are careful to always complete your work in a timely manner, then you at least won't be behind if you have to take a day off on short notice.

If you do find yourself in the position of having to take some time away from your virtual job, make sure to contact your employer as soon as possible.  Don't wait on this.  Be honest and forthright about why you are unable to work and how long you expect to be unavailable.  Also let your employer know if you think you may be able to do at least part of your job while absent.  Make sure your boss has a way to stay in touch with you, and try to check in on a regular basis to keep your boss up to date.  Make sure he or she has all the information they need to be able to continue without your help until you return to work.

Unfortunately, it is sometimes necessary to take time off unexpectedly.  A nasty bout of the flu, a sick child who needs to see the doctor or an emergency that must be tended to can take us away from the job for a day or more.  If we have a good, organized system to begin with, have been conscientious regarding our work, and keep in contact with our employer, we can feel confident that when we return to work, things will be in place and under control.

Posted:Saturday, August 18, 2007