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Find a Job You Really Want In
- Office Etiquette
- New Employee
- Hostile Work Environment
- Missing Work
- Personal Goals
- Communicating
- Appreciation Letters To Boss
- Send Retirement Wishes
- Write A Congratulations Email
- Professional Voicemail Greeting Examples
- Congratulations Email for a Promotion
- Send a Note for a Job Well Done
- Made A Mistake At Work
- Appeal Letter
- Employee Morale
- How To Write A Professional Email
- Out Of Office Message
- Small Group Icebreakers
- Memo Format
- Scheduling
- Mentoring
- Quotes
A leave of absence is an extended period of time when you will not be formally working while still maintaining your position at a company. Leaves of absence are taken for various reasons, including medical needs, birth or adoption of a child, or other urgent personal needs.
The formal process for requesting a leave of absence involves sending a letter to your supervisor as well as higher management and getting this request approved. You do this for documentation purposes, as well as to clarify your specific needs in your request.
A well-written letter can increase your chances of being granted a leave of absence and staying on good terms with your supervisor and your team. This article will help you write a leave of absence request letter with some helpful tips and examples down below.
Process For Requesting a Leave From Work — Explained
Requesting a leave of absence for any reason involves the same basic steps, which are as follows:
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Know your company policies and state laws regarding work absences. The first thing you’re going to want to do is check your employee handbook and become familiar with your company’s policies on leaves of absence. See what the leave benefits are (if there are any). Check to see whether or not your company will still pay you during this leave and plan accordingly.
You’ll also want to know what your state and federal laws say about employee leaves of absence. The Family and Medical Leave Act entitles certain employees to take job-protected leave, which you can learn more about here. There are also varying state laws that may require specific language or forms.
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Determine the time frame. Your second step is going to be determining how long you will need time off of work.
Keep in mind that you’re going to need to justify each day taken off, and your supervisors are not likely to approve a leave of absence that requests an excessive amount of time off without good reason. If you have a doctor’s note or other documentation specifying the amount of time you need off, be sure to include that and factor it in.
There are some cases where you may not know the exact date you will be able to return to work, such as when you or a loved one you are the caregiver for is experiencing a medical condition with an unknown recovery time. In these situations, try to give an expected return date and stay in contact with your management with any changes.
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Meet with your supervisor to discuss your absence. As soon as you determine that you need a leave of absence and the general timeline, meet with your direct supervisor to discuss your request.
Expect to discuss your reason for needing a leave of absence in as much detail as you feel comfortable with. Your supervisor will work with you to create a plan for how best to handle your absence. She or he may discuss options with you in terms of how much you’ll be able to stay involved with work during your absence.
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Consider your options. After meeting with your supervisor, consider the options you discussed or the available options. You may have the opportunity to temporarily reduce work hours, work from home, or other measures in which you will still be working but with added flexibility for your circumstances.
Job type you wantFull TimePart TimeInternshipTemporaryIf you cannot do this, consider the extent to which you will be reachable during your leave of absence and what steps you can take to ease this transition.
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Create your leave of absence letter. Finally — after considering all of the above steps — you’ll create your formal letter notifying of your leave of absence. Craft this letter for your supervisor and whomever else you are required to notify formally.
You’ll want to be as open, honest, and transparent as possible so that you and your supervisors remain on the same page. However, you don’t need to share anything you aren’t comfortable sharing. When in doubt, just say “personal reasons.”
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Tell your team. After sending your letter, decide with your supervisor how you will inform your colleagues of your absence. You may need to tell them personally, or someone may take care of it for you.
Be sure to give adequate notice to any coworkers who work directly with you or otherwise depend upon your work. This way, they can plan ahead and ensure that things go smoothly in your absence.
Do’s and Don’ts for Requesting a Leave of Absence
These are some general rules of thumb when requesting a leave of absence.
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DO: Give adequate notice.
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DON’T: Wait until the last minute.
Give your supervisors and your team time to plan for your absence by submitting your request as soon as possible.
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DO: Communicate with your direct supervisor first.
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DON’T: Tell coworkers or clients before your supervisor.
You don’t want your supervisor to feel like you are keeping secrets, as this can erode trust. So be sure to tell her of your plans before you tell others.
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DO: Offer gratitude and further assistance.
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DON’T: Make the details of your departure unclear.
Try to let your team know explicitly how you can help in preparation for and during your absence. Be helpful to others in whatever capacity you are able, as your absence may increase their workload.
What to Include in the Formal Letter
Here’s everything you’ll need to include in your written request for a leave of absence. Consider all your needs and refer back to the meeting with your supervisor to determine this letter’s specifics. Just be sure to hit all of the following points:
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Proper letter formatting
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Request for a leave of absence
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Specific (or anticipated) calendar days of your leave of absence
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The general reason for needing a leave of absence
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How you can be of assistance during your absence
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Statement of gratitude
Three Examples for Requesting a Leave of Absence
The following examples demonstrate proper protocol for requesting a leave of absence from your employer. These letters are to be sent after meeting and discussing your absence with your direct supervisor, but prior to discussing this absence with your coworkers.
This leave of absence request gives an example of how you might format a written letter.
Leave of Absence Written Letter Example
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Phone Number]
[Other Relevant Contact Information]December 8, 2020
[Your Supervisor’s Name]
[Company or Organization]
[Company or Organization Address]
Dear [Supervisor’s name],This is a formal written request notifying of my intention to take a two-week leave of absence for personal reasons. As discussed in our meeting yesterday, I hope to take this leave from January 4, 2021 through January 15, 2021 if this is still a timeframe that works for you.
I will be able to return to work on January 18, 2021.
Please let me know if I can be of any assistance in making preparations for my absence. Don’t hesitate to contact me with any further questions.
Thank you for your understanding during this difficult time.
Sincerely,
[4 lines of blank space for a written signature]
[Your name]
This letter exemplifies a formal leave of absence request sent via email.
Leave of Absence Email Example
Subject: [Leave of Absence – Megan Gordon]
February 19, 2021
Dear Sharon,
I’m writing to request a formal leave of absence from work starting next month due to a recent family emergency. I plan to take this leave from March 8, 2021 through April 2, 2021.
I plan to return to work on April 5, 2021. As discussed, this is a tentative date based on my current family circumstances. I will update you with adequate notice if I need to create a plan for returning to work at a later date.
In preparation for my leave, I am willing to train my colleagues to complete projects in my absence and communicate with my clients. During my leave, I will be available periodically to answer urgent questions through email or cell phone.
Thank you for your assistance in this process and your consideration.
Regards,
Megan Gordon
(618)-219-8705
Megan.H.Gordon@gmail.com
This example shows how to request a leave of absence for medical reasons via email. This excludes FMLA requests as they involve their own documentation forms.
Medical Leave of Absence Example
Subject: [Leave of Absence – Treyvon Moore]
June 1, 2021
Dear Ms. King,
I am submitting this request for a leave of absence following an upcoming medical procedure on June 26. My doctor requires a recovery period of two weeks, so my leave will begin on June 28 and end on July 9, 2021. I have attached her signed recommendation.
As per my doctor’s orders, I will be able to return to work on July 12, 2021.
Please let me know if there is anything I can do to assist in covering my workload during my absence. Thank you for your time and understanding.
Best regards,
Treyvon Moore
(919)-231-8124
Treymoore@creativesolutions.com
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