Life happens outside of work. Sometimes you need to leave the office early for personal appointments, family obligations, or other legitimate reasons. Knowing how to craft a professional email requesting permission to leave early can make all the difference in maintaining good relationships with your supervisors and colleagues.
The right email shows respect for workplace policies while clearly communicating your needs. A thoughtfully written message acknowledges the impact of your absence and demonstrates your commitment to fulfilling your responsibilities despite leaving early.
Are you ready to learn how to write emails that get you out the door without burning bridges? These 15 templates will guide you through different scenarios and help you communicate effectively.
Sample Emails on Leaving Early from Work
These sample emails will give you a framework to request time off for various situations. Adjust them to fit your specific circumstances and workplace culture.
Doctor’s Appointment Request
Subject: Request to Leave Early – Doctor’s Appointment on [Date]
Dear [Manager’s name],
I’m writing to request permission to leave work at 3:00 PM this Thursday, May 22, for a doctor’s appointment that I couldn’t schedule outside work hours.
I’ve already completed most of my tasks for the week, and I’ll make sure to finish the remaining work before leaving. Additionally, I’ve asked [Colleague’s name] to cover any urgent matters that might come up during my absence.
Please let me know if this arrangement works for you or if you need any additional information.
Thank you for your understanding.
[Your name and designation]
Family Emergency
Subject: Urgent – Need to Leave Early Today
Hi [Manager’s name],
I just received a call about a family emergency that requires my immediate attention. I need to leave the office at 1:30 PM today.
I’ve already handed off my critical tasks to [Colleague’s name], who has agreed to cover for me. The client presentation is ready and saved in our shared folder for tomorrow’s meeting.
I appreciate your understanding during this difficult time. I’ll update you on my return status as soon as I can and will be checking emails intermittently when possible.
Thank you,
[Insert your name and role]
Child’s School Event
Subject: Early Departure Request – School Event
Dear [Manager’s name],
I’d like to request permission to leave work at 2:00 PM next Tuesday, May 27, to attend an important event at my child’s school. It’s a special recognition ceremony where my daughter will be receiving an award.
I plan to come in an hour earlier that day to ensure all my responsibilities are covered. The monthly report will be completed before I leave, and I’ve already informed my team about my partial absence.
Please let me know if this arrangement is acceptable or if you’d like me to make additional accommodations.
Best regards,
[Sender’s name and position]
Personal Appointment
Subject: Request for Early Departure – Personal Appointment
Hello [Manager’s name],
I’m writing to request permission to leave work at 3:30 PM on Friday, May 30. I have a personal appointment that couldn’t be scheduled outside of work hours.
I’ve planned my workday accordingly and will complete all time-sensitive tasks before leaving. I’ll also be available on my phone should any urgent matters arise.
Thank you for considering my request. I appreciate your flexibility.
Regards,
[Your name and job title]
Home Repair Emergency
Subject: Leaving Early – Urgent Home Situation
Hi [Manager’s name],
I need to leave the office early today at 2:00 PM due to an unexpected plumbing emergency at my home. My neighbor just called to inform me that there’s a water leak that requires immediate attention before it causes significant damage.
I’ve already completed the client proposal and have briefed [Colleague’s name] about the status of my other projects. I’ll be available via phone and email for the rest of the day if anything urgent comes up.
I apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your understanding.
[Your name and designation]
Car Maintenance
Subject: Request to Leave Early for Vehicle Service
Dear [Manager’s name],
I would like to request permission to leave work at 4:00 PM tomorrow, May 20, as I need to take my car for service. This is the only appointment time available this week, and my vehicle requires urgent maintenance for safety reasons.
I plan to arrive 30 minutes early tomorrow to ensure I can complete all my daily tasks. The team project update is already scheduled for 2:00 PM, so this won’t affect our meeting.
Please let me know if this arrangement works with you.
Thank you,
[Sender’s name and title]
Mental Health Break
Subject: Request for Early Departure – Personal Time
Hi [Manager’s name],
I’d like to request to leave work at 3:00 PM today. I’ve been feeling a bit overwhelmed lately and think a few hours of personal time would help me recharge and return refreshed tomorrow.
All my urgent tasks for today have been completed, and nothing pressing is scheduled for the remainder of the day. I’ve also updated the project tracking sheet with the latest status.
I appreciate your consideration and support.
Thank you,
[Your name and role]
Public Transportation Issues
Subject: Need to Leave Early – Transportation Schedule Change
Dear [Manager’s name],
Due to a temporary change in the public transportation schedule, I need to request permission to leave work at 4:30 PM instead of my usual time for the next two weeks, starting tomorrow. The last bus on my route will depart earlier than usual due to road construction.
I plan to arrive 30 minutes earlier each morning to maintain my full working hours and ensure all my responsibilities are met. I’ve already spoken with my team about this temporary adjustment.
Please let me know if this arrangement is acceptable or if you’d prefer an alternative solution.
Thank you for your understanding,
[Insert your name and position]
Religious Observance
Subject: Early Departure Request for Religious Observance
Dear [Manager’s name],
I would like to request permission to leave work at 3:00 PM this Friday, May 23, for religious observance purposes. This is an important day in my faith, and certain observances need to begin before sunset.
I have planned my work schedule accordingly and will ensure all critical tasks are completed before my departure. [Colleague’s name] has agreed to be the point of contact for any urgent matters that may arise during my absence.
Thank you for your consideration and respect for my religious practices.
Sincerely,
[Your name and designation]
Picking Up a Visitor from Airport
Subject: Request to Leave Early – Airport Pickup
Hello [Manager’s name],
I’m writing to request permission to leave work at 2:30 PM this Thursday, May 29. My [relative/friend] is flying in from overseas, and I need to pick them up from the airport as they are unfamiliar with the city.
I’ve already completed the quarterly analysis report ahead of schedule and will make sure to address any other priorities before leaving. I’ll also be available via email during my commute to the airport if anything urgent arises.
Please let me know if this arrangement works for you.
Thank you for your consideration,
[Sender’s name and role]
Weather Concerns
Subject: Early Departure Request – Severe Weather Warning
Dear [Manager’s name],
I’m writing to request permission to leave the office at 3:00 PM today due to the severe weather warning that has been issued for our area. The forecast predicts heavy snowfall starting around 4:00 PM, and I’m concerned about safely commuting home if I leave at my regular time.
I’ve completed all my urgent tasks for today and will be taking my laptop home to finish any remaining work remotely. I’ve also briefed [Colleague’s name] about the status of the client project I’m working on.
Thank you for your understanding regarding this weather-related concern.
Best regards,
[Your name and position]
Continuing Education Class
Subject: Request for Early Departure – Professional Development Course
Hi [Manager’s name],
I’d like to request permission to leave work at 4:00 PM every Tuesday for the next six weeks, starting May 27, to attend a professional development course on [Subject] at [Institution].
This course directly relates to my role here at [Company] and will help me develop skills that will benefit our team, specifically with the upcoming [Project name] initiative. The course could only be scheduled in the evening, with classes starting at 5:00 PM.
I plan to come in 30 minutes early on Tuesdays to minimize the impact on my work schedule. I’ll also ensure all my responsibilities are covered before leaving.
Please let me know if you approve this arrangement or if you’d like to discuss alternative options.
Thank you,
[Your name and job title]
Avoiding Rush Hour Traffic
Subject: Request to Adjust Working Hours
Dear [Manager’s name],
I would like to request permission to leave work at 4:00 PM instead of 5:00 PM for the next month, starting from May 26. The highway construction on my commute route has significantly increased traffic during the usual rush hour, adding nearly an hour to my journey home.
To maintain my full working hours, I propose coming in at 8:00 AM instead of my usual 9:00 AM. This adjustment would allow me to avoid the worst of the traffic while still fulfilling all my job responsibilities.
I’ve reviewed my meeting schedule and confirmed that this change wouldn’t affect any team collaborations or client meetings.
Thank you for considering my request.
Regards,
[Sender’s name and designation]
Volunteering Commitment
Subject: Request to Leave Early for Volunteer Work
Hello [Manager’s name],
I’m writing to request permission to leave work at 3:30 PM this Wednesday, May 28, to volunteer at the local food bank’s special distribution event. As you may know, I regularly volunteer there, and they’re short-staffed for this particular event.
I’ve already rescheduled my afternoon meetings and will complete the monthly analytics report before leaving. [Colleague’s name] will be available to handle any urgent matters that might come up during my absence.
This volunteering opportunity is important to me, and I appreciate your support. Please let me know if this arrangement works for you.
Thank you,
[Your name and role]
Starting Vacation Early
Subject: Request to Begin Approved Vacation a Few Hours Early
Dear [Manager’s name],
Regarding my approved vacation starting tomorrow, May 30, I would like to request permission to leave work at 2:00 PM today instead of my regular time. This would allow me to complete some pre-travel preparations and avoid the heavy evening traffic to the airport.
I’ve already finished all my pending tasks and prepared a detailed handover document for [Colleague’s name], who will be covering for me during my absence. There are no meetings scheduled for the latter part of today that require my presence.
Thank you for considering this request. I look forward to returning refreshed and ready to tackle our upcoming projects.
Best regards,
[Insert your name and position]
Wrapping Up: Effective Early Departure Emails
Crafting the right email when you need to leave work early shows professionalism and respect for your workplace. The most successful requests include clear timing details, solid plans to handle your responsibilities, and genuine appreciation for your manager’s flexibility.
Keep your requests straightforward and honest. Providing legitimate reasons without oversharing personal details strikes the right balance. Planning ahead by finishing critical tasks and arranging coverage demonstrates your commitment to your job despite needing to leave early.
Using these templates as a starting point, you can customize emails that suit your specific situation and work culture. With the right approach, you can maintain strong professional relationships while balancing your personal needs.