Leave of absence request letter template

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.

Requesting a leave of absence for any reason involves the same basic steps, which are as follows:. Know your company policies and state laws regarding work absences. See what the leave benefits are if there are any. Check whether or not your company will still pay you during this leave and plan accordingly. 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. Determine the time frame. Your second step is determining how long you will need time off of work.

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.

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. 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. If 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.

Create your leave of absence letter. Craft this letter for your supervisor and whomever else you are required to notify formally. 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. Give your supervisors and your team time to plan for your absence by submitting your request as soon as possible. So be sure to tell her of your plans before you tell others. 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. New child. Maternity and paternity leave are the most common reasons why employees take extended leaves of absence. Select basic ads.

Create a personalised ads profile. Select personalised ads. Apply market research to generate audience insights. Measure content performance. Develop and improve products. List of Partners vendors. Table of Contents Expand. Table of Contents. How to Request a Leave From Work.

Formal Leave-of-Absence Letter. Email a Leave-of-Absence Request. By Alison Doyle. Alison founded CareerToolBelt. Learn about our editorial policies. I will return to work on November 2, Please let me know whether you require any further information or have any questions.

Thank you very much for your consideration in affording me this opportunity for personal leave. Best, John. Article Sources. Your Privacy Rights. To change or withdraw your consent choices for TheBalanceCareers. Whatever the case, if you need extended time away from work, you should submit a leave of absence request to your employer. Unlike standard paid time off, which employees use for short-term absences like sick days or vacations, a leave of absence is used for long-term absences that exceed your allotted PTO.

Generally, a LOA is unpaid, but some employers might pay for part or all of your time off. In the US, the Family and Medical Leave Act ensures eligible employees can take up to 12 workweeks of job-protected leave per month period for things like the birth or adoption of a child, or a serious health condition affecting the employee or someone in their immediate family and military leave.

You have worked for your employer for a minimum of 12 months. You have worked a minimum of 1, hours in the 12 months prior to taking leave. You work at a location that employs at least 50 employees or have at least 50 employees within a mile radius. This can help you learn whether you are FMLA eligible and if your employer is likely to grant your request.

If your employer does not have a leave policy or does not want to grant you a leave, taking the time off without their approval could be considered job abandonment or resignation—both of which are grounds for termination. There are a few things you should do before you submit your leave of absence request to your employer:. Some employers have a leave policy that outlines which circumstances are covered, as well as specific requirements and a process for applying.

In some situations, such as when you are experiencing a medical problem or acting as the primary caregiver to a loved one, you may not know when you will be able to return to work. However, providing an estimate will help your supervisor determine an appropriate plan for covering your work while you are away.

Be sure to schedule time with your supervisor as soon as you know you will need to take extended leave. This might include hiring a contractor, distributing your workload among other team members, shifting project timelines and making sure the transition to and from your LOA goes smoothly for all parties. Carefully compose a letter to your supervisor and be as detailed and transparent as possible. Leave of Absence Letter Format.