Struggling to craft a bulletproof work-from-home request email to your manager? Whether you need a temporary work-from-home request or want to explore permanent remote work, drafting a professional and persuasive email is crucial. In this guide, we’ll show you how to write a work from home email to your manager, complete with work-from-home email samples tailored to specific scenarios. From requesting flexibility to addressing accountability concerns, these email templates will help you communicate transparently while maintaining professionalism. You’ll also learn best practices to requesting work from home and increase your chances of approval.
Whether you’re asking for a one-time work from home arrangement or a long-term shift to remote work, our tips and sample templates will ensure your request stands out.
TIP: It could be childcare, health concerns, or due to extreme weather conditions, you’ll need to be clear and concise without going off-topic when drafting a work from home email request.
We’re not going to drone about the benefits of work-life balance and reduced commuting time. There’s enough on the internet to sway your opinion towards or against the much-debated work-from-home option. That said, in last five years, we’ve seen enough to comment on the obvious changes within today’s workplace culture. In the early 2010s, we fought for casual Fridays and mental health days. This was before the pandemic, when work from home or remote work options weren’t so feasible or productivity enhancing to say the least! Today, we see workers fighting for the final frontier—for remote work Mondays through Fridays!
Work from home is no longer a privilege, but rather an expectation. We don’t ask “Do you work from home?” anymore. Rather, we ask “How many days do you get?”. The WFH option has more of less become the corporate equivalent of vacation days. How did so much change in so less time?
It comes as no real surprise that Americans are embracing flexible work options such as remote work or permanent work from home. According to Work from Home research (ironic, we know!), over 95% of workers want some form of work from home online, 54% of people want to work fully remote, and 41% want a hybrid schedule, with only 5% of employees wanting to work in the office full-time.
Now, you may have a chair, a laptop and a few work-life balance statistics to back you. But do you know how to write a work from home email to manager? Here’s the kicker, it may look outright unprofessional if you mention that you’re looking to avoid a toxic coworker, unmute your productivity with better work-life balance, or simple escape the constant chatter within the four glass walls of your office.
What you need is a work from home sample template that’s not only professional, but also persuasive in a way that your email doesn’t end up lost in the boss’s inbox.
With our “work from home request” email samples, you’ll be able to bring up this delicate matter just the right way.
How to ask for work from home?
We’ve tried to condense things down to five simple steps when you draft a work from home request email to manager. You can always refer to our work from home email sample if you’re unsure about your email body or unsure on how to request for work from home via email.
First things first.
Step 1: Specify the duration
Starting by providing the dates for your requested work from home option. “I’ll be working from mid-March to end of April” doesn’t cut it. You will need to clearly mention if this is a permanent work from home request email, or for a few days, or simple a temporary arrangement.
Step 2: Give a sufficient reason
It’s important to be honest about your reason to request work from home option to manager. It could be childcare, health concerns, or due to extreme weather conditions, you’ll need to be clear and concise without going off-topic.
Step 3: Show a detailed work plan
Mention how you plan to manage your tasks, collaborate with team members, and maintain productivity. This could also be the best opportunity to show your boss that you can remain productivity under different circumstances.
Step 4: Assure availability
We’ve read enough horror stories about colleagues going off to trips while working from home. Nobody wants to be ‘that’ coworker whose ‘internet issues’ magically appear on Fridays. Reiterate that you’ll be just as available for meeting, tasks and team interactions throughout the day.
Step 5: Offer regular updates
You could propose a system where you update your manager on your work progress through daily or weekly reports.
Now let’s put these steps in action with sample work from home email templates!
Copy & Paste These Sample Email Templates: Requesting Work From Home the Right Way
We get it—crafting an email to request work from home can feel like a high-stakes negotiation with your boss. As we said, we’ve got you covered! Whether it’s “how to ask for permanent work from home,” “request for work from home for one day,” or “requesting to work from home due to health concerns,” we have these email templates that are your ticket to a yes without the stress.
OPTION 1: Work from Home Email Sample Request for One Day
This is an ideal email sample for someone who is working from the office and would want to work from home for one day without making it a regular occurrence.
Subject line: Request to work from home on [date]
Dear Emily,
I hope this email finds you well. I am writing to request permission to work from home on [date] due to [mention reason].
I assure you that I will remain accessible throughout the day. I have access to all the necessary tools and resources to finish my tasks efficiently. Additionally, I will be reachable via [email/phone/zoom] for urgent matters.
Thank you for understanding and appreciating my request.
Sincerely,
Mia
OPTION 2: Work from Home Request Sample (for a few days)
This email template may come in handy if you want to ask for work from home for a few days. We’re following the same five steps that we’ve mentioned earlier.
Subject: Request for work from home [Dates]
Dear Micheal,
I hope you’re doing well! I am writing to request the option to work from home for a few days from [start date] to [end date] due to [brief reason-e.g. health concerns, personal commitments, etc.]
I’ll ensure that all my tasks are managed effectively, and I’ll be available for meetings as usual.
Looking forward to your approval.
Cheers
Zoe
OPTION 3: Work from Home Request Email Sample due to medical emergency
We all field medical emergencies from time to time—it could be for a ourself or a loved one. Here we have an email template requesting to work from home due to medical emergency.
Subject: Request to work from home due to medical emergency
Dear Mia,
I hope this email finds you well. I woke up this morning with a severe migraine that is preventing me from safely commuting and working in the office. I’ll ensure that all my tasks are managed efficiently, and I’ll be available for meetings via Zoom as usual.
I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and greatly appreciate your understanding and support in this matter.
Sincerely,
Gracy
OPTION 4: Work from Home Email Sample for Family Issues
It can be stressful to work in the office when you know there’s a personal matter which could be dealt with more carefully if you were working from home. This is the perfect sample email for those seeking permission to work from home due to family issues.
Subject: Request to work from home due to personal issues
Dear Zach,
I am writing to request work from home today, [date], due to a family matter requiring my immediate attention. I will be available for meetings as usual.
Thank you for understanding.
Thank you,
Mia
OPTION 5: Permanent Work from Home Email Sample
This one’s tricky! A lot of us want to work from home for a zillion reasons. Some say it’s beneficial for people with families and other commitments as it provides a better work-life balance. For some, it’s the perfect solution to reduce the additional costs such as transportation, childcare, and meals. While some simply enjoy the quietude and comfort of their home. The benefits are significant but it isn’t always feasible for the manager to approve a permanent work from home request as it can lead to reduced collaboration between team mates, lessen accountability when not everyone is in the same room to work on a project, and lead to silos. So, how to ask your employer for permanent remote work? Here’s how:
Subject: Permanent work from home proposal
Dear Zach,
I hope you’re well! I am writing to formally request a permanent work-from-home arrangement. I have been working remotely occasionally for the past [time period] and have consistently maintained/exceeded my performance expectations.
I believe a permanently work-from-home arrangement would be beneficial for several reasons: [list clear and concise reasons].
I would love the opportunity to discuss this in person and explore how we can tailor my request to meet our company’s needs.
Thank you for your time! Looking forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Matt
OPTION 6: Requesting to WFH due to Breastfeeding Email Sample
Working from home makes it easier to breastfeed or pump throughout the day. You don’t need to worry about finding a private space in the office. If you’re looking for how to write a work from home request due to breastfeeding, here’s a short and sweet template!
Subject: Request to work from home due to breastfeeding
Dear Emily,
I am writing to request to work from home starting [date] due to breastfeeding my [baby’s age]-month-old. This arrangement would immensely support my ability to maintain breastfeeding while continuing my work responsibilities.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Mia
OPTION 7: Work from Home Due to Car Trouble Email Template
We’ve all had a few run-ins with madame luck, especially when she’s not on our side. Here’s an email request template to work from home due to car issues.
Subject: Request to work from home – car trouble
Dear Zoe,
My car unexpectedly broken down this morning, preventing me from coming into the office. I would like to request to work from home today. I have all the necessary resources to continue my work from home.
Thank you for understanding.
Sincerely,
Vik
OPTION 8: Child’s Illness – How to write WFH request [Email Sample]
When your little munchkin is sick, staying home to care for them is often the only viable option left. Communicating this to your manager is the best way to get approval for your work from home email request. Here’s how to ask for work from home to manager when your child is down with an illness.
Subject: Request to Work from Home Due to Child’s Illness
Dear Emily,
I hope you’re doing well. Unfortunately, my child has come down with [mention illness, e.g., a fever, flu, etc.]. I would like to request work from home for the next [days/weeks] while managing their recovery.
I’ll ensure that all tasks and responsibilities are handled efficiently. I will also be available via email, zoom, and phone as needed.
Thank you for understanding.
Best regards,
Zach
OPTION 9: Work from Home for Medical Treatment [Email Template]
A lot of times, managing medical appointments or treatments requires more than just flexibility in your work schedule. Here’s how to ask for WFH for medical treatment:
Subject: Request for Work from Home Due to Medical Treatment
Dear Gracy,
I am reaching out to request approval to work from home for [days/weeks] due to ongoing medical treatments. These treatments require me to stay at home until I recover.
I will remain available for meetings as usual. Please let me know if there are any additional steps I need to taker in order to accommodate this request.
Thank you for understanding.
Sincerely,
Zoe
OPTION 10: How to write asking to work from home email due to elderly caregiving
Caring for an elderly family member can sometimes require unexpected flexibility. Here’s the perfect sample email you can choose when requesting to work from home due to elderly caregiving responsibilities.
Subject: Request to work from home to care for elderly family member
Dear Emily,
I am reaching out to request permission to work from home for the next [days/weeks] in order to care for my grandmere who requires assistance. I will ensure that my tasks and responsibilities continue to be completed efficiently.
If you have any concerns or need further details, I’m happy to discuss them. Thank you for your consideration.
Best regards,
Gracy
OPTION 11: Work from Home Request Due to Mental Health
We cannot match the pace at which the world runs today. Some days we need more than just peace and quiet to find our lost self and regain confidence. Here’s an sample asking to WFH email:
Subject: Request to Work from Home for Mental Health Reasons
Dear Zoe,
I hope you’re doing well. I am writing to request to work from home for the next [days] due to personal mental health reasons. I believe working from home would allow me to manage my well-being while still being productive.
Please let me know if you need any further information.
Thank you for your support.
Sincerely,
Mark
OPTION 12: Temporary Work from Home for Personal Reasons
Life throws curveballs. Sometimes you need to work from home for reasons that may not exactly fall into a specific category. Here’s an email template you can adapt if you’re looking for how to write WFH request.
Subject: Request to Work from Home Temporarily for Personal Reasons
Dear Emily,
Due to some personal circumstances, I would like to request to work from home for a short period, starting to [start date] till [end date]. I assure you I’ll be able to manage my workload efficiently from home during this time.
Please let me know if you need any additional details. Thank you for considering my request.
Best,
Zoe
We are certain our comprehensive guide with samples and templates on ‘how to write work from home request to manager’ will help you draft the perfect WFH request email. Remember to follow the tips we’ve provided on DO’s to increase your chances of approval for request to work from home email.
Did you like our guide on how to request WFH? We also have the perfect guide that provides fresh alternatives to “Please find attached” in an email.
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