MessagesLeave and running late messages
A leave message should answer four things in a few lines: what you need, for which dates, why (briefly), and what happens to your work. These are ready to send. Replace the words in [brackets].
Follow your office or school's own leave rules. A message is a courtesy. It does not replace the leave form or the HR system.
Sick leave
Good morning, Sir. I have a fever since last night and will not be able to come in today, [date]. I will check messages for anything urgent. Thank you.
Hello Ma'am, I am unwell and the doctor has advised two days of rest. Kindly grant me leave for [date] and [date]. [Name] has my pending files.
Good morning. I am not well today and need to take sick leave. I will share the medical certificate when I return. Sorry for the short notice.
Half day and personal work
Good morning, Sir. I need to visit the bank for some urgent personal work. May I take a half day today, second half? I will finish the report before I leave.
Hello Ma'am, I have a family function on [date]. I request one day's leave. I will complete my pending tasks by [date] evening.
Sir, I need leave from [date] to [date] to travel to my home town for a family wedding. I will hand over my work to [Name] before I go.
Emergency
Sir, there is a medical emergency at home and I have to leave at once. I will update you by evening. Sorry for the trouble.
Ma'am, I have to rush to the hospital with my father. I will not be able to attend today. I will call as soon as things settle.
Running late
Good morning. I am stuck in traffic and will reach about 30 minutes late. Please start the meeting. I will join as soon as I arrive.
Sir, my train is delayed. I expect to reach the office by 11 am. I am sorry for the delay.
I had a puncture on the way and will be around 45 minutes late. I will make up the time this evening.
Work from home
Good morning, Sir. I have a mild cold and do not want to pass it around. May I work from home today? I am available on call and mail as usual.
Ma'am, a repair person is coming home today. Could I work from home? All my meetings will go on as planned.
School: from a parent
Respected Ma'am, my son [Name] of Class [class and section] has a fever and will not attend school today. Kindly excuse his absence. Thank you. [Parent's name]
Respected Sir, my daughter [Name], Class [class and section], will be absent on [date] and [date] because of a family function. Please share any homework she should complete.
Respected Ma'am, [Name] has a doctor's appointment tomorrow morning and will come to school after the second period. Kindly allow.
हिन्दी में
सर, नमस्कार। मुझे कल रात से बुखार है, इसलिए आज दफ़्तर नहीं आ पाऊँगा। कृपया आज की छुट्टी स्वीकार करें।
मैडम, घर में ज़रूरी काम होने के कारण मुझे [तारीख] को एक दिन की छुट्टी चाहिए। अपना काम पहले पूरा कर दूँगा।
सर, रास्ते में जाम है, पहुँचने में करीब आधा घंटा देर होगी। असुविधा के लिए क्षमा करें।
सर, घर में अचानक तबीयत की परेशानी हो गई है, मुझे अभी निकलना होगा। शाम तक आपको जानकारी दे दूँगा।
आदरणीय मैडम, मेरा बेटा [नाम], कक्षा [कक्षा], बुखार के कारण आज स्कूल नहीं आ सकेगा। कृपया अवकाश प्रदान करें। धन्यवाद।
आदरणीय सर, परिवार में शादी होने के कारण मेरी बेटी [नाम] [तारीख] से [तारीख] तक स्कूल नहीं आ पाएगी। कृपया छूटा हुआ काम बता दें।
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ਵਿੱਚ
ਸਰ, ਮੈਨੂੰ ਬੁਖ਼ਾਰ ਹੈ, ਇਸ ਲਈ ਅੱਜ [ਤਾਰੀਖ਼] ਨੂੰ ਨਹੀਂ ਆ ਸਕਾਂਗਾ। ਕਿਰਪਾ ਕਰਕੇ ਇੱਕ ਦਿਨ ਦੀ ਛੁੱਟੀ ਮਨਜ਼ੂਰ ਕਰ ਦਿਓ। ਜ਼ਰੂਰੀ ਕੰਮ ਲਈ ਫ਼ੋਨ ਤੇ ਹਾਜ਼ਰ ਹਾਂ।
ਮੈਡਮ ਜੀ, [ਬੱਚੇ ਦਾ ਨਾਂ], ਜਮਾਤ [ਜਮਾਤ], ਦੀ ਤਬੀਅਤ ਠੀਕ ਨਹੀਂ, ਇਸ ਲਈ ਅੱਜ ਸਕੂਲ ਨਹੀਂ ਆ ਸਕੇਗਾ। ਕਿਰਪਾ ਕਰਕੇ ਛੁੱਟੀ ਦੇ ਦਿਓ। ਧੰਨਵਾਦ, [ਤੁਹਾਡਾ ਨਾਂ]।
ਸਰ, ਰਾਹ ਵਿੱਚ ਜਾਮ ਲੱਗਾ ਹੈ, ਮੈਂ ਕੋਈ ਵੀਹ ਮਿੰਟ ਲੇਟ ਪਹੁੰਚਾਂਗਾ। ਮਾਫ਼ ਕਰਨਾ।
Nothing matches. Try a shorter word, or choose All.
Message, email or form?
Each workplace and school has its own rule. Many offices want leave applied for in an HR system or by email, with a message to the manager as a courtesy. Many schools want a signed note or an entry in the diary, or a message on the school's own app. Use these messages for the courtesy part, and follow the official route as well. If you are new, ask a colleague or the class teacher what is expected.
The first line carries everything
Managers and teachers read dozens of messages. Put the request and the dates in the first line: "Requesting leave on Thursday 12th and Friday 13th." The reason and the handover come second. A message that begins with a long story about the illness makes the reader hunt for the dates.
How much reason to give
- For a day or two of sickness: "fever" or "unwell" is enough. You do not owe anyone medical details.
- For personal work: "a family matter" or "bank and document work" is normal and sufficient.
- For longer leave: say the reason plainly and attach whatever your office asks for.
- Never invent an illness or a funeral. It is remembered, and it is found out.
Before you go, and when you return
- Say who is covering, or when you will clear the pending work.
- Set an out-of-office reply if you use email.
- On return, thank the person who covered. For a parent, a line to the teacher asking what the child missed is appreciated.
Make it yours
- Put the dates in the first line. Managers read the first line only.
- Give the reason in a few words. Details are not needed for one or two days.
- Say who is covering or when you will catch up.
- For school, the message should come from a parent and name the child and class.