The Complete Guide to Taking Sick Days as a Virtual Assistant
So, you started your virtual assistant business—congratulations! But here’s the reality: we are not employees. We don’t get company-paid sick leave. As a virtual assistant, you’re no doubt familiar with the dreaded “sick day”—the day you take to recover from an illness or injury.
But what happens when you are really sick? Or if you were in an accident? Being sick is one thing, but when it happens to you, the effects can be far-reaching. Missing a few days can hurt your clients in the long term. That’s why it’s important to plan ahead and set expectations with clients so there are no surprises when you cannot complete a task.
How to Approach Your Day if You’re Sick
Sickness is the worst, and it feels even worse when you still have client work waiting. But the truth is, you don’t have to let it derail everything.
When you onboard new clients, your welcome guide should already include clear expectations: your hours of operation, observed holidays, and your sick-day policy. Clients should know up front whether you’ll work while sick or take time off.
If you’re solo, your productivity may take a dip depending on how you feel. If you have a team, your backup system can step in and keep everything running. Either way, communication is key. It shows professionalism and reassures your clients that they made the right choice by working with you.
If you’re feeling under the weather:
Don’t try to power through high-impact tasks like writing or website design—these require full focus and creativity, which illness drains.
Stick to light tasks if you can, but rest and recover first.
Over-communicate with clients so they know what to expect.
Clients are human, too. Most will understand. What they need most is reassurance that their business won’t be left hanging.
Quick Steps to Manage Sick Days
Communicate immediately—let clients know what’s going on and how it may affect timelines.
Work offline if possible – Save tasks to upload later rather than staying online all day.
Provide an updated timeline—tell your client when you expect the task or project to be completed.
It’s not about being perfect—it’s about being proactive.
Have a Backup Plan for the Backup Plan
If you can’t work, who will step in?
Your backup plan might include:
A VA intern from an internship site.
A freelancer from platforms like Fiverr for short-term projects.
Subcontractors who can cover recurring work.
Having these relationships in place before you need them keeps your business running smoothly when you are out sick.
Handling Difficult Clients
I wish I could say that being polite, professional, and firm in your boundaries is enough, but sometimes clients can still be difficult.
Some clients won’t understand why you need time off. Others may pressure you to work through your sickness. This is when boundaries matter most. If a client does not respect your health, it’s time to reevaluate whether that partnership is worth keeping.
Your health should always outweigh the risk of losing a client. Yes, it can be scary to let go, but you can always replace a client—you can’t replace your well-being.
Taking sick days as a virtual assistant can be challenging, but it’s not impossible. The key is:
Communicate clearly.
Have a backup plan (and a backup for your backup).
Set expectations during onboarding.
Protect your health above all.
You may never need all of these strategies, but you’ll be glad you have them when the time comes.
Let me know in the comments—how do you handle sick days in your VA business?
