Clear, timely communication during illness is critical in any workplace. Whether you’re notifying your manager about a sudden fever or submitting formal documentation for extended medical leave, a sick leave email ensures that your absence is handled professionally—and your responsibilities are covered.
To make it easy, we’ve created a comprehensive collection of 47+ free sick leave email templates available in both Microsoft Word and PDF formats. These ready-to-use samples cover a wide range of scenarios, from short absences to long-term medical leaves, tailored for employees, HR departments, and team leads.
✔️ What Is a Sick Leave Email?
A sick leave email is a formal or semi-formal message sent by an employee to their manager or HR to inform them about an illness-related absence. It includes:
- The duration of absence
- The reason for leave (optional or general for privacy)
- Expected return date
- Emergency contact or handover instructions
- Any required medical documents (for extended leave)
This email serves as both a notification and a record for HR and payroll purposes.
✔️ Why Use a Sick Leave Email Template?
✅ Saves time when you’re unwell
✅ Ensures the tone is respectful and professional
✅ Includes all necessary details for smooth team operations
✅ Provides documentation for HR or compliance
✅ Reduces the stress of writing while ill
Our templates help you focus on recovery—not formatting.
✔️ What’s Inside the 47+ Template Collection?
This versatile set of templates is organized into categories for different use cases:
📝 Templates for Employees:
- One-day or short-term sick leave emails
- Extended medical leave notices
- Sick leave with doctor’s note attached
- Emergency or sudden illness notices
- Family sick leave (e.g., child or parent)
- Remote work while sick email
- Informal messages for close teams
📝 Templates for Managers or HR:
- Sick leave approval replies
- Requests for medical certificates
- Reassignment of duties emails
- Sick leave tracking acknowledgment
Each template is downloadable in both Word and PDF, making them easy to personalize and send.
✔️ What to Include in a Sick Leave Email
- ✅ Subject line (e.g., “Sick Leave Notification”)
- ✅ Date and recipient (manager/HR name)
- ✅ Brief explanation of your illness or absence
- ✅ Start and return dates (estimated)
- ✅ Availability for urgent matters
- ✅ Attachments (if needed: medical certificate, etc.)
- ✅ Expression of gratitude and signature
Keep it brief, clear, and professional.
✔️ Who Should Use These Templates?
☑️ Employees – Needing to inform their manager quickly and clearly
☑️ Managers – Communicating on behalf of team members or approving requests
☑️ HR Teams – Maintaining leave records and acknowledging submissions
☑️ Startups – Without a formal sick leave system
☑️ Remote Teams – Where email is the primary communication channel
✔️ Tips for Writing a Professional Sick Leave Email
✅ Use a clear subject line (e.g., “Sick Leave Request – [Your Name]”)
✅ Keep it concise—no need to overshare medical details
✅ Be courteous and thank your manager for understanding
✅ Inform if you’ll be available via phone or email (if applicable)
✅ Attach any required documents early on
✅ Always follow up upon your return to update your status
Being respectful and communicative builds trust—even when you’re not at your desk.
➡️ Download and Communicate Sick Leave the Right Way
Don’t struggle to find the right words when you’re unwell. Use these 47+ free sick leave email templates in Word and PDF to keep your workplace informed with ease. Whether you’re taking a day off or need extended recovery time, these templates are your go-to solution.
👉 Download now and focus on getting better—while keeping communication professional and smooth.
