sick-out: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal / Journalistic / Business
Quick answer
What does “sick-out” mean?
A form of industrial action in which a large number of employees collectively call in sick on the same day to protest working conditions without officially declaring a strike.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A form of industrial action in which a large number of employees collectively call in sick on the same day to protest working conditions without officially declaring a strike.
An organized, collective absence from work under the guise of illness, used as a covert protest tactic to avoid legal or contractual penalties associated with formal strikes. It can also refer more broadly to any coordinated mass absence for protest purposes.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
More common in American English, particularly in media coverage of labor disputes. In British English, the concept exists but terms like 'unofficial strike', 'wildcat strike', or 'action short of a strike' might be used more frequently, though they are not perfect synonyms.
Connotations
Connotes a subversive, organized tactic to circumvent formal strike procedures. It can carry a slight negative connotation of dishonesty (feigning illness) from a management perspective.
Frequency
Low-frequency term, appearing primarily in news reports about labor relations. More likely encountered in AmE texts.
Grammar
How to Use “sick-out” in a Sentence
The [employee group] staged/organized a sick-out.A sick-out by [employee group] disrupted [services].Management condemned the sick-out as [negative description].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “sick-out” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The union is alleged to have sicked-out its members, a claim it strongly denies.
- There were rumours they might sick-out if negotiations failed.
American English
- The teachers threatened to sick-out if their demands weren't met.
- Several crews sicked-out, causing flight cancellations.
adverb
British English
- N/A (not adverbial)
American English
- N/A (not adverbial)
adjective
British English
- N/A (not standard adjectival use)
American English
- N/A (not standard adjectival use)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Discussed in HR and management contexts as a risk during labor disputes; a form of unauthorized industrial action.
Academic
Studied in industrial relations, sociology, and labor law as a tactic of collective bargaining and worker mobilization.
Everyday
Rare in casual conversation unless the person works in a relevant field or is following specific news.
Technical
A specific term in labor relations denoting action short of a strike, often analyzed for its legal and contractual implications.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “sick-out”
Strong
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “sick-out”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sick-out”
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'They sick-outed yesterday' – use 'staged a sick-out').
- Confusing it with a single person taking a 'sick day'.
- Misspelling as 'sickout' (though hyphenated form is standard).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A strike is typically a formally declared, organized work stoppage. A sick-out is an informal, coordinated action where participants falsely claim illness to avoid the legal consequences of a formal strike.
Potentially, yes. Since employees are falsely claiming sick leave, it can be grounds for disciplinary action, including termination, depending on local labor laws and employment contracts. It is riskier than a protected, official strike.
'Blue flu' is a specific type of sick-out used by police officers (referencing their 'blue' uniforms). 'Sick-out' is the general term applicable to any profession.
It is a descriptive term used in media and labor relations, not a precise legal term. In legal contracts, it would likely fall under definitions of 'unauthorized absence' or 'action short of a strike'.
A form of industrial action in which a large number of employees collectively call in sick on the same day to protest working conditions without officially declaring a strike.
Sick-out: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsɪk aʊt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsɪk ˌaʊt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To pull/call a sick-out”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine workers all texting 'SICK' to their boss and walking OUT together. SICK + OUT = SICK-OUT.
Conceptual Metaphor
ILLNESS IS PROTEST / COLLECTIVE ABSENCE IS A WEAPON.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary defining characteristic of a 'sick-out'?