Sick Day Statuses for Slack

A good sick day Slack status should answer two questions quickly: are you working at all, and when should teammates expect you back? Use one of the examples below for everything from being fully out sick to working slowly while under the weather.

🤒

Best quick optionOut sick, restingCompletely offline and not checking Slack · Clears Today

Also useful: ·

Add to Slack

Copy and paste Slack status examples

Pick the version that matches your availability, then set an expiration so the status does not stay up after it stops being true.

🤒

OfflineOut sick, resting

Completely offline and not checking Slack · Clears Today

🏡

Working slowlySick but working, slow replies

Online, but not at normal response speed · Clears End of workday

🫖

Short breakStepping away for meds

Short breaks during a sick but working day · Clears 30 minutes

😷

Light contextNot feeling 100%

Letting teammates know your availability may vary · Clears 4 hours

👶

Family careHome with a sick kid

Family care days with intermittent availability · Clears Today

📵

CoverageOffline sick day, contact Sam

You are out and teammates may need a backup · Clears Today

💬

Urgent onlyOnline for urgent blockers only

Reducing pings without fully disappearing · Clears Half day

🛌

Return tomorrowResting, back tomorrow

A full sick day with a clear return expectation · Clears Until tomorrow

🌡️

Checking inUnder the weather, checking periodically

You will review Slack occasionally but not instantly · Clears End of day

🥣

BreakLunch + meds break

A temporary status for food, rest, or medication · Clears 45 minutes

Automate this Slack status

The most useful sick day status includes both availability and timing. AutoStatus helps by turning a plain sentence into a Slack status with a clear end time, so the status clears when you are back.

Try:Out sick today, clear tomorrow morning

Add to Slack

Which sick Slack status should you use?

Say whether you are offline, slow to respond, or urgent only.
Avoid medical detail; availability is what teammates need.
Add an expiration so the sick status does not stay up after you return.

Sick but working

If you are online but moving slower than usual, say that directly. A status like “Sick but working, slow replies” prevents teammates from assuming you are fully available while still making it clear they can reach you for urgent things.

Out sick and offline

When you are fully resting, avoid vague messages like just an emoji. Use a status that says you are out sick and include an expiration so people know whether to wait, escalate, or ask someone else.

Not feeling well or not 100%

For mild sick days, a softer status works well. “Not feeling 100%” gives context without oversharing and sets expectations around delayed responses.

Plain English prompts to try

These are the kinds of instructions AutoStatus can turn into a Slack status with timing and automatic clearing.

Sick but working today, slow replies until 5pm
Out sick today, clear tomorrow morning
Not feeling 100%, set status for four hours
Home with a sick kid today, slow to respond
Stepping away for meds for 30 minutes

Frequently asked questions

What should I put as my Slack status when I am sick?+

Use a short status that says whether you are offline or working slowly, such as “Out sick, resting” or “Sick but working, slow replies.” Add an expiration so it clears automatically.

How do I say I am sick but still working on Slack?+

Be direct and set expectations: “Sick but working, slow replies” or “Under the weather, online for urgent messages.” This tells teammates you are reachable but not fully available.

Should a sick day Slack status include an end time?+

Yes. An end time helps teammates know whether your status is current and prevents an old sick status from staying up after you return.