#10 Asking About Local Events｜English Travel Phrases
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#69 Requesting Time Off from Your Manager｜English Business Phrases
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During your career, there are many occasions when you may need to request time off for personal reasons or to rest and recharge.
When asking your supervisor for leave in English, it is important not only to mention the dates you would like off, but also to show consideration for how your absence will affect your work. This helps your supervisor feel more comfortable making a decision.
In this article, I explain natural English expressions you can use when requesting time off and key points for handling the conversation smoothly with your supervisor.
Contents
Dialogue
Excuse me, do you have a moment? I’d like to talk about taking some time off next month.
Sure. What dates are you thinking about?
I’m hoping to take three days off from June 10th to June 12th, if that works.
That should be fine. Will all your tasks be covered during that time?
Yes. I’ll finish the report in advance and hand over urgent tasks to my teammate.
Sounds good. Please submit the request through the system as well.
Of course. Thank you for your understanding.
1. Starting the Conversation About Time Off
Requesting time off can be a sensitive topic, so it is important to first check whether your supervisor is available before explaining your request.
Example
- Excuse me, do you have a moment?
This is often followed by the following expression:
Example
- I’d like to talk about taking some time off.
Using “talk about” makes it clear that the request is still at the discussion stage and has not been finalized.
The phrase “time off” is a useful general term that refers to paid leave or personal leave. In business situations, it often sounds more natural than “vacation.”
2. Stating Your Preferred Dates
When mentioning your preferred dates, it is best to avoid sounding too direct and instead use a polite, tentative expression.
Example
- I’m hoping to take three days off from June 10th to June 12th.
The expression “I’m hoping to ～” shows respect for your supervisor’s decision and leaves room for discussion.
Related Expressions
- I’d like to request some time off.
- I was wondering if I could take a few days off.
3. Considering the Impact on Work
One of the main concerns for supervisors is whether work will continue smoothly during an employee’s absence.
For this reason, you may be asked:
Example
- Will all your tasks be covered during that time?
Rather than answering with just “yes” or “no,” it is important to explain how you plan to handle your responsibilities. This helps build trust.
4. Explaining Preparations in Advance
When explaining how your work will be handled during your absence, it is best to be specific.
Examples
- I’ll finish the report in advance.
- I’ll hand over urgent tasks to my teammate.
The phrase “in advance” emphasizes that you are preparing ahead of time.
The verb “hand over” means to transfer responsibilities and is commonly used in business contexts such as taking leave, changing roles, or transitioning duties.
Related Expressions
- I’ll share the details with the team beforehand.
- I’ve already arranged coverage for urgent matters.
Summary
Key English Phrases
- I’d like to talk about taking some time off.
→ A polite way to start a conversation about requesting leave. - I’m hoping to take ～ days off.
→ A gentle way to state preferred dates while leaving the decision to your supervisor. - Will all your tasks be covered during that time?
→ A common question used to confirm work coverage during your absence. - I’ll finish ～ / I’ll hand over ～.
→ Expressions used to explain preparation and task handover.
