It can be difficult to ask for time off of work.If you plan out your time away from work so that it causes minimal problems for your employer, you'll have a better chance of getting those days off.Provide a good explanation for why you want to take off work when you sit down to write your email request.If you are polite and respectful of how your absence will affect your workplace, you can request time off with confidence.
Step 1: Check your company's time off policies.
If you don't know what the vacation policy is at your workplace, ask your supervisor.If you are eligible for paid time off, figure out how many days you have available, how long they last, and when they accrue.Seniority might affect how many days you can take off.If you are a new employee, check to see if you can take time off.It can be hard to take time off when you are a new employee.
Step 2: It's convenient to plan your days off.
It will be easier to take time off if you aren't involved in an ongoing project.If your company has a busy time of the year, try to avoid taking days off.Provide a strong explanation for your request if you need time off during a busy period.If possible, ask if anyone else is considering taking time off.It will be harder for your supervisor to grant your request if your place of employment is short-staffed.If your request for time off is granted, make sure to remind your coworkers that you will be gone about a week before you take your leave.
Step 3: It's best to make your request at least 2 weeks in advance.
You should ask for days off at least 2 weeks before the start of your time off.The more notice you give, the better the chance you have of taking time off.It's a good idea to let your supervisor know that you're going to take a few weeks or even a month off before you leave.You should give more advance notice if you plan on taking off more than a few days.It's sufficient to give 2 weeks notice for a few days off.You should let your boss know at least 1 month before you leave if you will be gone for a week or more.
Step 4: Before you leave, complete as much work as you can.
Before you leave, complete all of the tasks and responsibilities that you would do during the time you are requesting off work.It will be easier for your supervisor to grant your request if you assure your coworkers that your absence will not burden them.If you can't finish your work before you leave, make arrangements with your coworkers.They need to understand the tasks you need them to complete.If they need your help, give them contact information.
Step 5: The email subject line is where you should put your request.
Without opening the email, you want your supervisor to understand your request.Give the dates that you are requesting in the subject line.The subject line could be "Pat Smith Requesting Vacation days 10/10/2020 through 10/25/ 2020."
Step 6: The store is open with a friendly greeting.
Your supervisor should be addressed directly by name.It sets a warm tone and makes the email look professional, even though it may seem like an unimportant thing.It doesn't need to be fancy.It's perfectly fine to say something like "Hey Jane" or "Hello Dave".You should be aware of your supervisor's titles and preferences.It might seem disrespectful to use your supervisor's first name in an email if your place of employment uses last names in communication.If your supervisor uses a title prefix like doctor, professor, judge, etc.It should be used in your greeting.
Step 7: You should give your vacation dates.
You should restate the dates in the first line of your email, even though you put them into the email subject line.The information should be put in the form of a request.You could write "I would like to request vacation time from October 10 through October 25."
Step 8: Why do you want time off?
Give a reason for why you want to take your dates off immediately.Even if your reason won't get a positive reply, you should be honest about why you want the time off.It will be much harder to request time off in the future if you lie about why you need it.You could write "I am requesting these days off because my family is going on a vacation to Hawaii."If you want to take time off because of an emergency, make sure you mention it in your explanation.Funerals, medical issues, or even surprise weddings are some examples of unexpected events that make your supervisor more likely to grant a last-minute request.
Step 9: Inform your supervisor that you have a plan for your absence.
Let your employer know that you're taking a break.Explain the details of how you will solve these issues if you need to make arrangements for someone to cover for you or if existing projects and clients need your attention during your time off.If you can save your supervisor's time, they will be more comfortable with you taking time off.You could write "I have made sure that my responsibilities will be taken care of when I am gone."Charlie will handle my clients.I already completed all of the paperwork I would need to do during my absence.It is a good idea to let your supervisor know how to contact you while you are away.You will need to state this information in your request if you can't provide a phone number or email.
Step 10: End on a positive note.
The last line of your email should ask if your request is ok with your employer.Before signing off, you should thank your supervisor.This keeps the professional and friendly tone that started with your greeting.The closing part of your email might read, " Does this all sound OK?"Thanks, Pat.