Crafting the Perfect Sick Leave Email
When you’re unwell, the last thing you want to worry about is composing a formal email. However, informing your employer about your absence is crucial for maintaining professional conduct and ensuring smooth workflow. A well-written sick leave email should be concise, informative, and respectful. It should clearly state your reason for absence, the expected duration, and any necessary information regarding your responsibilities.
Key Elements of an Effective Sick Leave Email
A strong sick leave email typically includes the following: a clear subject line (e.g., “Sick Leave – [Your Name]”), a polite opening, a statement about your illness and inability to work, the date of your absence, an estimated return date (if known), and contact information for urgent matters. Consider adding a brief note about completing urgent tasks or designating colleagues to handle your responsibilities. Avoid oversharing details about your illness; keep it professional and to the point.
Preparing for Your Absence
Before sending your sick leave email, think about any urgent tasks that need immediate attention. If possible, complete them or delegate them to a colleague. Provide clear instructions and contact information if needed. This demonstrates responsibility and minimizes disruption to the team’s workflow. Remember to also consider company policy regarding sick leave notification and adhere to the established procedures.
18 Sick Leave Email Samples for Various Situations
Below are 18 email templates that you can copy and paste, or modify to use as a guide. Remember to replace the bracketed information, with your own personal and professional information.
Sick Leave Email Samples
Sample 1: Short Notice Absence
Subject: Sick Leave – [Your Name]
Dear [Manager’s Name],
I am writing to inform you that I am unable to come to work today, [Date], due to illness. I woke up feeling unwell and don’t want to risk spreading anything.
I expect to be back in the office tomorrow, [Date]. I will monitor my health. I will be checking emails periodically for urgent matters.
Thank you for your understanding.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Sample 2: Longer Absence – Doctor’s Appointment
Subject: Sick Leave – [Your Name] – [Date] to [Date]
Dear [Manager’s Name],
Please accept this email as notification that I will be taking sick leave from [Start Date] to [End Date] to attend a doctor’s appointment and recover at home.
I will have limited access to email during this time. For urgent matters, please contact [Colleague’s Name] at [Colleague’s Email Address] or [Colleague’s Phone Number].
Thank you,
[Your Name]
Sample 3: No Expected Return Date (Uncertainty)
Subject: Sick Leave – [Your Name]
Dear [Manager’s Name],
I am writing to inform you that I will be unable to come to work due to illness, starting today, [Date]. I am not sure when I will be able to return.
I will keep you updated as I receive more information. [Colleague’s Name] is aware of my ongoing projects and can be reached at [Colleague’s Email Address] or [Colleague’s Phone Number].
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Sample 4: Emphasizing Completed Work
Subject: Sick Leave – [Your Name] – [Date]
Dear [Manager’s Name],
I am writing to inform you that I am unable to come to work today, [Date], due to feeling unwell. I have already completed [mention specific tasks].
I anticipate being back in the office tomorrow. I will check emails periodically for urgent matters.
Thank you for your understanding.
Best,
[Your Name]
Sample 5: Delegation of Tasks
Subject: Sick Leave – [Your Name] – [Date]
Dear [Manager’s Name],
I am writing to inform you that I will be taking sick leave today, [Date], due to [brief explanation – optional, e.g., a cold]. I have already spoken to [Colleague’s Name] who will be covering [Specific task(s)].
I expect to be back tomorrow.
Regards,
[Your Name]
Sample 6: Requesting Remote Work (If Possible & Allowed)
Subject: Sick Leave – [Your Name] – Possibility of Remote Work
Dear [Manager’s Name],
I am writing to inform you that I woke up feeling unwell today, [Date]. While I am not feeling my best, I believe I can still complete some tasks remotely.
Would it be possible for me to work from home today? I will be monitoring my health and will take a full day of sick leave if needed.
Thank you for your consideration.
[Your Name]
Sample 7: Requesting Remote Work (If Possible & Allowed)
Subject: Urgent Sick Leave – [Your Name] – [Date]
Dear [Manager’s Name],
I am writing to inform you that I will have to take an urgent leave of absence today, [Date], due to sudden illness. I will be unable to perform any job functions until I recover.
I will check emails periodically for any urgent requests or concerns. You may also contact [Colleague’s Name] with any questions. I appreciate your understanding.
Thank you for your consideration.
[Your Name]
Sample 8: Absence After Work Hours
Subject: Sick Leave – [Your Name] – [Date]
Dear [Manager’s Name],
I am writing to let you know that I will be unable to come to work tomorrow, [Date], due to a migraine that came on suddenly this evening.
I plan to take the day to rest and recover. I anticipate being back on [Date]. I will reach out should anything change.
[Your Name]
Sample 9: Sick Leave – Family Illness
Subject: Sick Leave – [Your Name] – [Date]
Dear [Manager’s Name],
I am writing to inform you that I will have to take a sick leave of absence today, [Date], as my child has fallen ill and I need to care for them.
I expect to be back in the office tomorrow. I will monitor my health. I will be checking emails periodically for urgent matters.
Thank you for your understanding.
[Your Name]
Sample 10: Sick Leave – Doctor’s Visit
Subject: Sick Leave – [Your Name] – [Date]
Dear [Manager’s Name],
Please accept this email as notification that I will be taking a sick leave of absence today, [Date], as I need to go to a doctor’s appointment and recover afterwards.
I will have limited access to email during this time. For urgent matters, please contact [Colleague’s Name] at [Colleague’s Email Address] or [Colleague’s Phone Number].
Thank you,
[Your Name]
Sample 11: Sick Leave – Dentist Appointment
Subject: Sick Leave – [Your Name] – [Date]
Dear [Manager’s Name],
I am writing to inform you that I will be taking a sick leave of absence today, [Date], as I need to go to a dentist appointment and recover afterwards.
I will have limited access to email during this time. For urgent matters, please contact [Colleague’s Name] at [Colleague’s Email Address] or [Colleague’s Phone Number].
Thank you,
[Your Name]
Sample 12: Sick Leave – Stress or Burnout
Subject: Sick Leave – [Your Name] – [Date]
Dear [Manager’s Name],
Please accept this email as notification that I will be taking a sick leave of absence today, [Date], due to feeling overwhelmed and stressed. I need to take some time off work.
I will have limited access to email during this time. For urgent matters, please contact [Colleague’s Name] at [Colleague’s Email Address] or [Colleague’s Phone Number].
Thank you,
[Your Name]
Sample 13: Sick Leave – Mental Health
Subject: Sick Leave – [Your Name] – [Date]
Dear [Manager’s Name],
I am writing to inform you that I will be taking a sick leave of absence today, [Date], due to a need to focus on my mental health.
I will have limited access to email during this time. For urgent matters, please contact [Colleague’s Name] at [Colleague’s Email Address] or [Colleague’s Phone Number].
Thank you,
[Your Name]
Sample 14: Sick Leave – Allergies
Subject: Sick Leave – [Your Name] – [Date]
Dear [Manager’s Name],
I am writing to inform you that I will have to take a sick leave of absence today, [Date], due to strong allergies.
I expect to be back in the office tomorrow. I will monitor my health. I will be checking emails periodically for urgent matters.
Thank you for your understanding.
[Your Name]
Sample 15: Sick Leave – COVID-19 Symptoms
Subject: Sick Leave – [Your Name] – [Date]
Dear [Manager’s Name],
I am writing to inform you that I will have to take a sick leave of absence today, [Date], as I woke up with COVID-19 symptoms, and must test and quarantine.
I will have limited access to email during this time. For urgent matters, please contact [Colleague’s Name] at [Colleague’s Email Address] or [Colleague’s Phone Number].
Thank you,
[Your Name]
Sample 16: Sick Leave – After Hours Incident
Subject: Sick Leave – [Your Name] – [Date]
Dear [Manager’s Name],
I am writing to let you know that I will be unable to come to work tomorrow, [Date], due to an incident that happened last night that has left me with a sprain in my wrist.
I plan to take the day to rest and recover. I anticipate being back on [Date]. I will reach out should anything change.
[Your Name]
Sample 17: Sick Leave – Pre-Planned Surgery
Subject: Sick Leave – [Your Name] – [Date]
Dear [Manager’s Name],
Please accept this email as notification that I will be taking a sick leave of absence from [Start Date] to [End Date] due to a previously scheduled surgery and recovery period.
I will have limited access to email during this time. For urgent matters, please contact [Colleague’s Name] at [Colleague’s Email Address] or [Colleague’s Phone Number].
Thank you,
[Your Name]
Sample 18: Sick Leave – Post-Operation Recovery
Subject: Sick Leave – [Your Name] – [Date]
Dear [Manager’s Name],
Please accept this email as notification that I will be taking a sick leave of absence from [Start Date] to [End Date] due to post-operation recovery.
I will have limited access to email during this time. For urgent matters, please contact [Colleague’s Name] at [Colleague’s Email Address] or [Colleague’s Phone Number].
Thank you,
[Your Name]
Conclusion: Sending Your Sick Leave Email with Confidence
Crafting a clear and professional sick leave email is essential for maintaining good communication with your employer. By using these templates as a starting point and tailoring them to your specific situation, you can ensure that your message is well-received and that your absence is handled smoothly. Remember to prioritize your health and focus on recovery.