Here are many of the most commonly accepted reasons for working from home:
Feeling unwell or recovering from a minor illness — e.g., having a cold, mild flu, back pain, or a headache. It might still be possible to work, but going to the office could be hard or risky.
Medical appointments or checkups — doctor visits, dentist appointments, physiotherapy sessions, etc., especially if scheduling outside work hours is hard.
Family responsibilities or emergencies — caring for a sick family member, looking after a child whose school is closed, or unexpected elder-care duties.
Home emergencies or maintenance issues — e.g., a burst pipe, a major repair, waiting for a technician or repairman at home; important deliveries you have to sign for; or other urgent home-related tasks.
Transportation problems or commute issues — your vehicle won’t start, public transport is disrupted, or there is heavy traffic or bad weather, making the commute risky or time-consuming.
Need for concentrated work / deep focus — at times, you may have an important project, report, or task that requires focus and no office distractions; the home may offer a quieter, more productive environment.
Mental health or stress-related reasons — sometimes you may feel physically fine but mentally stressed, overwhelmed, or simply need a calmer day to recharge — working from home can help you stay productive while taking care of your well-being.
Scheduled personal commitments — such as attending personal appointments, overseeing home deliveries or maintenance, or handling other tasks that can’t wait until after office hours.
If you decide to request working from home for one of the reasons above — especially when it’s not a regular WFH arrangement — here’s how to do it politely and responsibly:
Be honest and clear — briefly explain what you need and why working from home makes sense today (health, home repair, appointments, etc.).
Assure continued productivity — mention that you will be available, reachable, and will complete your tasks just as you do in the office. This helps your employer trust that WFH won’t affect work output.
Respect company policy or ask appropriately — if your workplace has specific procedures for remote work or approvals, follow them: request beforehand if possible, rather than last-minute.
Use such requests sparingly — don’t overuse WFH excuses too often (unless you have a formal hybrid/remote arrangement), because frequent last-minute requests may raise concerns about reliability.
Balance personal needs and professionalism — try to pick legitimate reasons and avoid fabricating stories — honesty is best for long-term trust and reputation.
When used appropriately, WFH can be a win–win:
You avoid unnecessary commute time, commuting stress, transport problems, or bad weather.
You manage personal or home-related obligations without sacrificing work.
You get a quieter, comfortable environment, which can improve focus — especially helpful for tasks that need deep thinking or concentration.
It can reduce stress (when unwell or mentally overloaded), helping you stay productive and feel better.
It allows flexibility when life circumstances demand presence at home — whether for health, family, or urgent home needs.
Frequent or unnecessary use of “WFH excuses” may undermine trust with your employer.
Random or short-term justification should ideally be legitimate, so it doesn’t feel like you’re misusing remote work flexibility.
If you find yourself needing remote work often, it might be better to talk with your employer about a more formal hybrid or flexible working arrangement.
Remember to remain professional, meet deadlines, and stay communicative when working from home — just like you would in an office.