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What is a leave of absence (LOA)?

It is an authorized absence from work for an extended period of time. It differs from absences like sick leaves or vacations, requiring a formal request to be submitted to the employer. A good leave of absence letter template outlines the time away period, reasons for absence, offer to help create a plan of action and contact information.

Leave of Absence Letter Template

A leave of absence is an important document that helps employees when an unexpected situation happens in their personal lives. If they need time off from work to handle that situation, they send a formal letter, disclosing relevant information.

Prepared for:

​[Manager.FirstName][Manager.LastName] ​[Manager.Title]​

​[Manager.StreetAddress][Manager.City][Manager.State][Manager.PostalCode]​

​[Manager.Phone][Manager.Email]​

Created by:

​[Employee.FirstName][Employee.LastName] ​[Employee.Title]​

​[Employee.StreetAddress][Employee.City][Employee.State][Employee.PostalCode]​

​[Employee.Phone][Employee.Email]​

Image 1

Dear Mr./Mrs. [Manager.LastName],

This is a formal request for a leave of absence from my position as [Employee.Title] at [Employee.Company]. I would be away from work from (MM.DD.YYYY) through (MM.DD.YYYY).

I would like to inform you that the reason for my request is (explain the reason to justify your time off from work, making sure it is covered by your employer’s leave of absence policy. For instance, the reason might be a family member’s wedding, medical emergency, jury duty, etc).

Please be advised that, if you approve my request, I will be more than willing to ensure no one is affected by my leave. I am prepared to create a plan of action that outlines the status of my pending projects and who would cover my job responsibilities while I am on my leave. If needed, I will be happy to train any colleague who will take on my duties during the specified period.

During my time away from work, I would be available to answer questions or assist my colleagues. I can be reached by phone [Employee.Phone] or email [Employee.Email] if any issues arise.

It is my full intention to come back to work as agreed and scheduled. Please be advised that I do not expect to ask for additional time off. However, if certain events beyond my control happen that would require me to extend my leave, I will notify you on time.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you need any additional information. I hope to hear your decision about my request soon.

You can submit a leave of absence letter for various common reasons. Usually, employees rely on the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) to get their leave of absence accepted. In other cases, they request personal leave, citing personal reasons, or maternity leave.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Kind regards,

​[Employee.FirstName][Employee.LastName]​

​

MM / DD / YYYY

Signature

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You do not need to submit a hard copy version of the letter. Some companies accept emailed letters. If this is the case with your company, then you need an email leave of absence letter template.

Email LOA Template

Dear Mr./Mrs. [Manager.LastName]​,

Always start your emails with a salutation.

As previously discussed, I am requesting a leave of absence from (MM.DD.YYYY) through (MM.DD.YYYY).

I am taking time off from work because (state the reason that explains why you need to be away for a specified period of time).

For the duration of my leave, I will be/will not be available to take calls or answer emails from my colleagues. (If you are available, add the following sentence) I can be reached on [Employee.Phone] or email [Employee.Email].

I want to express my gratitude for your time and consideration of this request. I cannot wait to hear back from you soon.

Regards,

​[Employee.FirstName][Employee.LastName]​

​

Signature

MM / DD / YYYY

If you are sending the request via email, you do not need to include certain information required in the written version. It is enough to start the email by addressing the recipient, without adding your full name, job position, city, phone number and date (or that of the recipient) before the salutation.

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FAQ

  • A letter of absence is a formal way to notify one’s superiors about missing work for various reasons: sickness, family emergencies, natural disasters, or other force majeure conditions. It is usually send over email, though certified mail is also an acceptable, if slow, method.

  • You can politely ask for a leave of absence either by a phone call, in person or by email. State the reason for your missing work, tell about the estimated time you’ll be away, offer to have someone pick up the work (if applicable), and thank the receiving party for considering your request.

  • There are more than two types of leave letters, depending on the nature of the absence. You can ask for a vacation leave, bereavement leave, court leave, family emergency leave, etc. Stating the reason for leave is a part of the process.

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Leave of Absence Letter Template

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This Leave of Absence Letter Template outlines the period away time, and justifications for absence. Fill out, sign, and send in a minute.

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