I have a bad migraine coming on and need to head home. I'll log off by [time].
By WhatsApp
Messaging Your Boss on WhatsApp About A migraine
When your team lives on WhatsApp, a message about a migraine should stay professional. Keep it brief and slightly more formal than usual.
Say what you need, briefly
A migraine makes screens and noise unbearable, so say you need to stop and rest. Keep it short — you may be in real discomfort.
Stay professional on a casual app
WhatsApp invites shorthand, but a leave request still deserves a clear, complete sentence. Skip voice notes and emojis; a tidy one-line message reads as respectful even on a chat app, and it keeps everything in one place.
Example messages
A migraine has hit and I can't focus on a screen. I'll wrap up and leave by [time].
I'd rather leave now than let this migraine get worse; I'll pick things up tomorrow.
Mistakes to avoid
Don't rely on emojis or a voice note for a leave request, and don't split it across several chats.
Build my message
Free, multilingual, and your details stay in your browser.
This page shares wording ideas, not legal or HR advice. Follow your own employer's time-off policy.
Common questions
Do I need to call it a migraine?
No. Feeling unwell and needing to go home is enough.
Should I follow up by email?
Only if your workplace expects a written record elsewhere. For WhatsApp-first teams, the chat is enough.