Leave of Absence Letter Samples

How to Write a Leave of Absence Letter

Although there is no single correct way to write a leave of absence letter, the letter must be professional, informative, and timely. It should include the current date, the request for leave, the beginning and end dates of the leave period, and any plans for preparation or coverage during the employee’s absence.

Employers or corporations can require the employee to provide a reason for the leave of absence. For instance, if the worker applies for the Family Medical Leave Act, they must include a statement determining their eligibility.

However, in general, the employee does not need to go into full detail about their situation. Instead, they can use discretion when writing the letter. In this case, statements such as “attending to family issues” or “having a medical procedure” provide sufficient reasoning.

Simple Leave of Absence Letters

Understanding the Family Medical Leave Act

The Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is a law created by the federal government to allow employees to take temporary, unpaid time off. It enables the worker to take temporary leave (up to twelve (12) months). The law’s primary purpose is to guarantee that the employee can resume their position in the company after they take time off. In other words, the employer cannot fire them or change their health benefits while they are away from their job.

An employee is eligible for FMLA if they:

• Give birth or care for a newborn child; or
• Adopt or receive a foster care child;
• Care for an immediate family member (i.e., spouse, parent, child) with a serious health condition; or
• Are unable to work due to a severe medical illness or condition; AND
• Have worked for a covered employer for at least 12 months, with at least 1,250 hours of work before leaving.

An employer has coverage (and thereby can offer FMLA to its employees) if they:

• Are in the private sector and employ 50 or more employees for 20 or more workweeks in the preceding calendar year; or
• Are a public agency (i.e., local, state, or federal government), regardless of the number of employees; or
• Are a public or private elementary or secondary school, regardless of the number of employees.

Leave of Absence Letter Examples

How to Request a Leave from Work

When requesting a leave of absence from work, refer to the company’s policy. Understand if the employer has FMLA coverage and/or the criteria that the employee needs to meet to take time off. If the company has a human resources department, discuss the leave with staff and ask relevant questions.

As soon as the employee takes the initial steps, they should submit a formal leave of absence. Once the worker sends the official document, the company accepts or rejects the request. Each letter remains on file with the employee, even if the employer does not approve the application. It serves as a record and, if accepted, provides guidelines and/or information about the agreement between both parties.

Employees should request leave as soon they can to notify the company properly. However, an individual cannot always predict significant life events. If sudden changes arise that require short- or long-term leave, the worker should give the employer as much notice as possible.

Leave of Absence Approval Letters

Key Takeaways

Sometimes life events can interfere with an individual’s job – that is normal and often expected. Requesting a formal leave of absence demonstrates self-responsibility, professionalism, and consideration for colleagues. In addition, it communicates necessary information and plans for leaving to the relevant staff.