Writing a Time Off Request: Tips and Template
Did you know that almost half of Americans who have paid time off (PTO) take less time than their employer offers? Some don’t want to fall behind in their work. Others fear letting down their bosses or colleagues.
Yet, taking time to decompress is important because it helps prevent physical and mental health issues, accumulated due to prolonged stress and fatigue. Rest then leads to better cognitive performance, which increases your productivity and satisfaction. So you should never feel guilty about filing a time off request — and here’s how you do it.
How to Request Time Off
Unfortunately, only three states (Maine, Nevada, and Illinois) have employment laws that mandate paid time off accumulation for employees. The rest leave the decision at the employer’s discretion. So the employer can legally deny your time off request unless it’s guaranteed by The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).
Hence, you need to be strategic about how you frame your request and when you submit a time off request form.…