In this article
I am sick. What should I do?
Topic
Cancellations
Freelance shift
Employed shift
31 Jul 2026
Feeling sick and can’t make it to your upcoming shift? That’s really unfortunate, we hope you recover quickly.
If you’re still within the cancellation window, you can always cancel your shift without any problem.
But if that window has already passed, it’s important to take action as soon as possible. What you do next depends on the type of shift you have scheduled: employed or freelance.
Employed shift
For your employed shift, you can always cancel up to 48 hours before the shift starts. But sometimes you might get sick with less notice. Here’s what you need to know if that happens.
If you get sick less than 48 hours before your shift
- Inform the company as soon as possible. This helps keep a good relationship and gives the company a chance to find someone else (this isn’t your responsibility).
- Cancel your shift via the app. Cancel your shift in the app and indicate that you are sick. Expect to be sick for a longer period? Then cancel your upcoming shifts as soon as possible.
- Report your sickness to us. Because a last-minute cancellation can result in one or more strikes, it’s important that you let us know you’re sick as well. Go to ‘Chat with support’, select ‘I am sick’, and follow the instructions. We’ll guide you through it.
If you get sick during your shift
- If you become sick on-site during your shift, the company is probably already aware. Make sure to inform the right person about your absence and let them know if you need to cancel any upcoming shifts as well.
- Report your sickness via the Temper app. Go to ‘Chat with support’, select ‘I am sick’, and follow the instructions. We’ll help you from there.
Freelance shift
If you suddenly fall ill, you’re still responsible for your shift. As a freelancer, you can’t call in sick as you could when you work in employment, but you always have the possibility of sending a substitute.
Look for a substitute
For your freelance shift, it’s up to you to find someone to cover. You can search for a substitute through the platform.
Contact the client
Can’t find a substitute, for example because the shift is about to start? Then it’s important to also reach out to the client. Good communication is key, they’ll know what’s going on and you might be able to find a solution together.
Consequences of a last-minute cancellation
If no substitute is found, the client may mark you as a no-show and request a compensation. But they don’t have to.
After the shift, you can still complete the checkout and indicate that you didn’t work. Explain to them why you missed the shift. The client will then decide to give you a no-show or not. The sooner and clearer you communicate, the smaller the chance of it happening.
The client agreed to cancel, how do I complete the checkout?
If the client agreed to cancel your shift, you can go ahead and complete the checkout and mark that you didn’t work. It’s a good idea to send a quick reminder to the client through the checkout about your agreement, so they can confirm and choose not to take further action.
