Leave of Absence Letter for Personal Reasons (Example and Template)

There is no shortage of reasons why you might need to take time off work. Some of which could be personal. In such a situation, how do you convince them that your reason for requesting leave is valid? This is where a Leave of Absence Letter for Personal Reasons comes into play.

A leave of absence letter is a formal request written to your employer requesting permission to miss work. It details your reasons for going on leave and the exact dates you plan to leave and resume work. Additionally, it explains how you plan to remedy problems that might arise from your absence.

In this article, we take a look at how to request a leave for personal reasons.

Under the FMLA, you can take time off work to spend time with a newborn child, care for a sick family member, or recover from a severe illness. However, your reasons for leaving work don’t need to be protected under the act for you to get approval. You can seek voluntary leave for personal reasons. In such a situation, your letter will be slightly different from the usual. Here is what you should include:

• Recipient Address – Place the company address at the top of your letter.
• Date – Include the date you drafted the letter.
• Subject Line – Use a brief phrase to inform the reader of the nature of your letter.
• Body – Always begin your letter by mentioning a previous meeting or conversation where you shared your intention to take time off work. Next, mention how much time you need and include exact dates. You can also give a brief explanation of your reasons for going on leave. Make sure to mention how you plan to handle your workload.
• Sender’s Details – Finally, close the letter with a note of thanks, your contact information, name, and job title.

Taking time off work is a huge deal, especially if it might affect other people in your workplace. This is why you should be considerate and professional when making your request. When drafting your letter, take note of the following writing tips:

• Use the appropriate salutation.
• Mention your reason for writing in the first paragraph
• Include exact dates for when you will leave and resume work
• Mention, but don’t go into detail about, your purpose for the absence
• Keep your letter short and to the point.
• Use a polite and professional tone.

Leave of Absence Letter for Personal Reasons (Word Template)

Always have a one-on-one conversation with your employer before drafting a Leave of Absence Letter for Personal Reasons. This should inform you of whether you qualify for time off and when the best time is to take it. Additionally, it should assure you of a positive response.

When drafting your letter, it is also important to include specific leave and resumption dates. This will make it easier for your employer to plan around your absence.

Finally, always send in your letter at least two weeks before you need to leave.