Asking to leave work early can feel awkward for many employees. They worry about how to phrase the request, when to ask, and if they’ll be seen as uncommitted to their job.
Sometimes people need to leave work early for doctor appointments, family matters, or personal needs. Having ready-to-use phrases makes these conversations with supervisors much smoother.
These examples work for various situations and help maintain professional relationships:
- “I have a medical appointment at 3:00 PM and need to leave by 2:30 to arrive on time.”
- “Due to a family emergency, I need to leave work at 1:00 PM today.”
- “My child’s school called, and I need to pick them up early.”
- “I’m not feeling well and would like to leave early to rest.”
- “I have a personal matter to attend to this afternoon.”
- “Could I leave at 3:00 PM today to avoid the heavy traffic?”
- “I need to leave early to meet the plumber at my house.”
- “I’ve finished my tasks for today and would like to use some comp time.”
- “My dentist had a cancellation and can see me today at 2:00 PM.”
- “I have an important delivery arriving at my home this afternoon.”
- “I’d like to leave early to attend my child’s school event.”
- “I need to take my pet to an emergency vet appointment.”
- “Could I leave at noon today to attend a family funeral?”
- “I have car trouble and need to get to the mechanic before they close.”
- “I’d like to use some of my accrued time to leave at 3:00 PM today.”
- “I have a meeting with my financial advisor that couldn’t be scheduled outside work hours.”
- “My apartment has a water leak, and I need to meet the landlord.”
- “I’m expecting an important overseas call this evening due to time differences.”
- “I’ve been having migraine symptoms and need to leave to take medication.”
- “Could I leave early today since I came in two hours early this morning?”
Examples of Effective Email Requests to Leave Work Early
Example of a Simple and Direct Request
Subject: Request to leave early on [Date]
Hi [Manager’s Name],
I need to leave work early at [time] on [date] for a [brief reason – medical appointment/family matter]. I’ll be available again [when you’ll be reachable – next morning/following day].
Is this alright with our current workflow? Please let me know if you need me to make any arrangements before I leave.
Thank you for your understanding,
[Your Name]
Example:
Subject: Request to leave early on Thursday
Hi Jordan,
I need to leave work early at 2:30 PM on Thursday for a dental appointment. I’ll be available again Friday morning.
Is this alright with our current workflow? Please let me know if you need me to make any arrangements before I leave.
Thank you for your understanding,
Taylor
Example of a Request for Last-Minute Situations
Subject: Unexpected early departure today
Hello [Manager’s Name],
I apologize for the short notice, but I need to leave the office at [time] today due to [general reason if comfortable sharing]. This situation came up unexpectedly, and I would appreciate your understanding.
I can be reached by phone if anything urgent arises that needs my input.
Thank you,
[Your Name]
Example:
Subject: Unexpected early departure today
Hello Rashid,
I apologize for the short notice, but I need to leave the office at 1:00 PM today due to a family emergency. This situation came up unexpectedly, and I would appreciate your understanding.
I can be reached by phone if anything urgent arises that needs my input.
Thank you,
Morgan
Example of a Request for Regular/Recurring Needs
Subject: Request for adjusted schedule on [day(s)]
Dear [Manager’s Name],
I’m writing to request an adjusted schedule for [specific day or recurring arrangement]. I would need to leave at [time] due to [general reason – childcare, education, etc.].
If approved, I’m happy to [suggest accommodation – come in earlier, work remotely afterward, etc.] to ensure my responsibilities are fulfilled.
I’m open to discussing any concerns you might have about this arrangement.
Regards,
[Your Name]
Example:
Subject: Request for adjusted schedule on Wednesdays
Dear Samantha,
I’m writing to request an adjusted schedule for Wednesdays for the next two months. I would need to leave at 3:00 PM due to a temporary family caregiving responsibility.
If approved, I’m happy to come in an hour earlier on those days to ensure my weekly reports are still completed on time.
I’m open to discussing any concerns you might have about this arrangement.
Regards,
Jesse
Common Reasons for Requesting to Leave Work Early
Employees may need to leave work early for various situations that arise in their lives. These situations often fall into several main categories including health-related appointments, family situations, personal obligations, and mental wellness needs.
1) Medical Appointments
Medical appointments frequently require employees to leave work early. Doctor visits, dental check-ups, and specialist consultations typically occur during business hours.
Examples:
- “I have a doctor’s appointment at 3:00 PM tomorrow and need to leave at 2:30.”
- “My dentist could only schedule me for Thursday at 4:00 PM, so I’ll need to leave an hour early.”
- “I need to leave at 2:00 PM for my annual physical examination.”
- “My specialist appointment is scheduled for 3:30 PM, requiring me to depart by 3:00.”
- “I have a medical test scheduled for tomorrow afternoon at 4:00 PM.”
When requesting time off for medical reasons, being specific about timing helps managers plan accordingly.
Template options for medical appointment requests:
- “I have a [type of appointment] scheduled for [date] at [time] and will need to leave work at [departure time].”
- “Due to a [routine/urgent] medical appointment on [date], I’m requesting to leave at [time].”
- “My [healthcare provider] has scheduled me for [appointment type] on [date] at [time], requiring me to leave work by [time].”
Example: “I have a physical therapy session scheduled for May 7th at 3:30 PM and will need to leave work at 3:00 PM.”
2) Family Emergencies
Family emergencies can happen unexpectedly and might require immediate attention. These situations often qualify for family leave under company policies.
Some examples of family emergency requests include:
- “My child’s school called, and I need to pick them up immediately due to illness.”
- “My elderly parent has fallen and needs my assistance at the hospital.”
- “There’s been a family emergency, and I need to leave right away.”
- “My spouse was in a minor accident, and I need to meet them at the hospital.”
- “My child has a high fever, and the daycare has requested immediate pickup.”
The unpredictable nature of these events means your request might be more urgent than other types of early departure requests. Being clear about the situation can help your manager understand the urgency.
Template options for family emergencies:
- “I just received word that [family situation] and need to leave immediately to [action needed].”
- “There’s an urgent situation with [family member] that requires me to leave at [time] today.”
- “I’m requesting to leave work now due to [brief description of emergency] involving my [relationship].”
Example: “I just received word that my daughter has fallen at school and needs to go to urgent care, so I need to leave immediately to pick her up.”
3) Personal Commitments
Personal commitments sometimes require leaving work early. These might include home repairs, deliveries, or important errands that can only be handled during business hours.
Common personal commitment requests:
- “I need to meet with my attorney at 4:00 PM regarding my home purchase.”
- “The appliance repair person can only come between 3-5 PM tomorrow.”
- “I have an important personal appointment at 3:30 PM that cannot be rescheduled.”
- “My home is scheduled for a safety inspection at 4:00 PM tomorrow.”
- “I need to sign papers at the bank before they close at 5:00 PM.”
Template options for personal commitments:
- “I’m requesting to leave at [time] on [date] for a [brief description of commitment] that can only be scheduled during business hours.”
- “Due to a [type of appointment/commitment] on [date], I need to leave work early at [time].”
- “I have a [personal obligation] scheduled for [time] and would need to leave by [earlier time] to arrive on time.”
Example: “I’m requesting to leave at 3:30 PM on Thursday for a home inspection appointment that can only be scheduled during business hours.”
4) Mental Health Considerations
Mental health needs are increasingly recognized as valid reasons for time off or leaving work early. Taking time for mental wellness can prevent burnout and improve overall productivity.
Some approaches to requesting mental health time:
- “I’d like to use a few hours of my personal time this afternoon for self-care.”
- “I need to leave early today because I’m feeling overwhelmed and need to recharge.”
- “I have a therapy appointment scheduled for 4:00 PM tomorrow.”
- “I’m experiencing high stress levels and would benefit from leaving early today.”
Being honest about needing mental health time can help normalize these important conversations in the workplace. However, you can always use general personal time terminology if you prefer.
Template options for mental health requests:
- “I would like to use [amount of time] of personal time on [date] to attend to my wellbeing.”
- “I’m requesting to leave at [time] today for a [counseling/therapy] appointment.”
- “Due to [stress/overwhelm/mental fatigue], I need to use [amount of time] this [afternoon/day] for self-care.”
Example: “I would like to use 3 hours of personal time this afternoon to attend to my wellbeing after completing my current project.”
Templates and Example Phrases for Requesting to Leave Work Early
Polite Email Examples
Some effective email subject lines include:
- “Request to Leave Early – [Date]”
- “Early Departure Request – [Your Name]”
- “Time Off Request for [Date/Time]”
A basic email template might look like:
Dear [Manager’s Name],
I would like to request permission to leave work at [specific time] on [date] due to [brief reason]. My work responsibilities will be [completed/covered by colleague] before I leave.
Thank you for considering this request.
Regards,
[Your Name]
In-Person Request Examples
You might want to approach your manager during a less busy period of the day.
Begin with phrases such as:
- “Do you have a moment to discuss a schedule adjustment?”
- “I need to request leaving early tomorrow for an appointment.”
- “May I speak with you about adjusting my hours on Friday?”
It is always a good idea to offer solutions for any work coverage issues. This shows responsibility and consideration for your team’s needs.
You could say:
- “I’ve already completed my major tasks for today.”
- “I’ve asked (…) if s/he could handle any urgent matters that come up.”
- “I plan to come in early tomorrow to make up the time.”
You might want to document your verbal request with a follow-up email for the HR department’s records.
Text Message Examples
Text messages should be even more concise than emails while maintaining professionalism. They work best when you have an established relationship with your manager.
Template
Hi [Manager’s Name], I need to leave at [time] today due to [brief reason]. My work is [status update]. Is this okay? Thanks, [Your Name]
Some appropriate text phrases include:
- “Can I leave at 3pm for a doctor’s appointment? All reports are finished.”
- “Family emergency – need to leave by 2pm. Projects updated in shared folder.”
- “Not feeling well – possible to leave at noon? Morning tasks completed.”
Text messages work well for urgent situations but aren’t ideal for planned absences.
Best Practices for Notifying Your Employer
Timing Your Request
Ask to leave early as soon as you know you’ll need to go. Giving advance notice allows your manager to adjust the work schedule and find coverage if needed.
Try to request at least 24 hours beforehand for planned appointments. For urgent situations, notify your supervisor immediately.
Choose appropriate moments to discuss your request:
• During a one-on-one meeting
• At the beginning of your shift
• Through email when your supervisor isn’t available in person
Avoid asking during busy periods or important meetings. Your timing might affect whether your leave request gets approved.
Consider your company’s attendance policies before making your request. Some organizations require minimum notice periods for any time off.
Communicating with the HR Department
Keep your HR department in the loop about your early departure, especially for recurring or extended absences. Many companies track time off for payroll and attendance records.
You might need to:
• Submit a formal leave request through your company’s system
• Fill out specific forms for time off
• Update your status in the attendance tracking software
• Provide documentation for medical appointments
When communicating with HR, you could use these approaches:
- “I’ve already informed my supervisor about my early departure and wanted to update the HR records as well.”
- “Could you please advise me on the correct procedure for documenting my early departure tomorrow?”
- “I need to leave early on Thursday for a medical appointment and wanted to ensure I follow proper protocol.”
It is always a good idea to follow up with an email confirmation after verbal discussions. This creates a record of your communication and demonstrates professionalism.