Leave Approval Notification Email

Leave Approval Notification Email

Subject: Leave Request Approved: |

Dear ,

This is to formally confirm that your request has been reviewed and approved by . Your leave has been sanctioned for the period from to , totalling working day(s).

Your leave balance has been updated accordingly in the HR management system. Please ensure that all pending deliverables and responsibilities are handed over to the designated colleague or team lead prior to the commencement of your leave period.

We kindly request that you set up an out-of-office auto-reply on your email and update your calendar to reflect your absence. If there are any urgent matters that may require attention during your leave, please coordinate with to establish a point of contact.

Should your plans change and you need to modify or cancel this leave, please submit the revised request through the leave management portal at your earliest convenience so that records can be updated promptly.

We hope you have a restful and rejuvenating time away. Please do not hesitate to reach out to HR if you have any questions regarding your leave balance or related policies.

Regards,

What Is a Leave Approval Notification Email?

A leave approval notification email is an official communication sent by HR or a manager to confirm that an employee's leave request has been approved. It includes the leave type, approved dates, total days off, and any instructions the employee should follow before their absence begins.

This email serves as both a confirmation and a checklist trigger. It lets the employee know their request was processed, reminds them to set up handovers and out-of-office replies, and creates a documented record of the approval. Without a clear approval email, employees may be uncertain about whether their leave was actually sanctioned, leading to confusion and last-minute disruptions.

For HR teams managing leave across multiple departments or locations, a standardised leave approval email template ensures every approval is communicated consistently, with no missing details or ambiguous wording.

Why HR Teams Need a Leave Approval Email Template

Leave management is one of the most frequent HR workflows, and every approval needs clear communication. Without a template, managers send inconsistent messages that may miss critical details like handover expectations or calendar blocking reminders. This creates confusion for employees and gaps in team planning.

A standardised leave approval email template ensures that every employee receives the same level of detail and professionalism when their leave is approved. It reduces the administrative burden on managers who would otherwise draft these emails from scratch each time, and it creates a consistent documentation trail for compliance and audit purposes.

Research from SHRM shows that clear, timely communication around leave requests is a key driver of employee satisfaction with HR processes. When employees feel their requests are handled promptly and transparently, it builds trust in the organization's people management systems.

Key Sections Covered in This Email Template

This leave approval notification email template provides a complete, ready-to-send email with all the essential elements an employee needs after their leave is approved.

The email includes the leave type and approved dates, the total number of days sanctioned, the approving manager's name, reminders about handover responsibilities and out-of-office setup, instructions for modifying or cancelling the leave if plans change, and a professional sign-off.

Three tone options are available. Formal works well for corporate environments and regulated industries. Modern provides a professional yet approachable style suitable for most organizations. Friendly adds warmth and personality, ideal for startups and casual workplace cultures.

How to Use This Free Leave Approval Email Template

Select the tone that matches your company culture. Formal is best for traditional corporate settings, Modern works for most professional environments, and Friendly suits casual and startup cultures.

Click on the highlighted placeholder fields to enter the employee's name, leave type, dates, total days, and manager name. The email updates in real time so you can preview exactly how it will look before sending.

Once you are satisfied, use the Copy button to paste it into Gmail, Outlook, or your HRIS email system. You can also download it as PDF or DOCX for record-keeping, or open it directly in Google Docs for further editing. This free tool from Hyring saves HR teams time on routine communications while maintaining professional quality.

Frequently  Asked  Questions

What should a leave approval email include?

A leave approval email should include the employee's name, the type of leave approved, the start and end dates, the total number of days sanctioned, and the name of the approving manager. It should also include reminders about setting up an out-of-office reply, updating the calendar, and completing any necessary handovers before the leave begins. Including instructions for modifying or cancelling the leave if plans change is also important. The email should be clear, concise, and serve as a documented confirmation that both the employee and their manager can reference.

Should leave approval emails be sent by HR or the manager?

Leave approval emails can be sent by either HR or the direct manager, depending on the organization's leave management workflow. In many companies, the manager approves the leave and the HRIS automatically sends the confirmation email. In smaller organizations without automated systems, the manager or HR representative sends it manually. Regardless of who sends the email, it should clearly state who approved the leave. Having a consistent sender (whether HR or the system) ensures employees always know where to look for their leave confirmations.

How quickly should a leave approval email be sent after the request?

Best practice is to send the leave approval email within 24 to 48 hours of the employee submitting their request. Prompt responses allow employees to plan their absence, book travel if needed, and arrange handovers with adequate lead time. Delays in approval communication can cause anxiety, disrupt personal planning, and signal to employees that their requests are not being prioritised. For urgent or short-notice leave requests, same-day communication is recommended. Setting up automated approval workflows in your HRIS can eliminate delays entirely.

Should I include handover instructions in a leave approval email?

Yes, including a reminder about handover responsibilities is a best practice for leave approval emails. While the email does not need to contain the full handover plan, it should prompt the employee to coordinate task coverage with their team or manager before the leave starts. This is especially important for leaves of three or more days, where ongoing projects may need interim ownership. Some organizations also require employees to submit a formal handover document for longer absences. Mentioning this expectation in the approval email ensures nothing is overlooked.

What is the difference between a leave approval and a leave sanction email?

The terms are often used interchangeably, but there can be a subtle distinction in some organizations. A leave approval email confirms that the employee's direct manager has agreed to the leave request. A leave sanction email may refer to the formal HR or system-level confirmation that the leave has been officially recorded and the leave balance updated. In practice, most companies combine both functions into a single email that confirms the approval and notes that the system has been updated. Using one clear confirmation email avoids duplication and confusion.

How do I handle leave approval for overlapping team requests?

When multiple team members request overlapping leave dates, the approval email should still follow the standard format for each individual. However, the decision-making process should consider team coverage and project timelines before approval is granted. If you need to approve one request and defer another, send clear communication to both employees explaining the situation. For the approved request, send the standard approval email. For the deferred request, send a separate email explaining the conflict and suggesting alternative dates. Transparency in these situations maintains team trust.

Should leave approval emails mention the remaining leave balance?

Including the remaining leave balance in the approval email is helpful but not mandatory. It gives the employee immediate visibility into how many days they have left for future planning, reducing follow-up queries to HR. If your HRIS automatically includes balance information, keep it in the email. If you are using a manual template, you can add it as an optional field or direct the employee to check their balance on the leave portal. Either approach works as long as employees have easy access to their balance information somewhere.

Can I use this template for different types of leave?

Yes, this template works for all standard leave types including casual leave, sick leave, earned leave, privilege leave, maternity or paternity leave, bereavement leave, and compensatory off. The leave type field is customizable, so you simply enter the specific type when filling out the template. For extended leaves like maternity or sabbatical, you may want to add additional paragraphs about return-to-work expectations or benefits continuation. The core structure of confirmation, dates, and pre-leave reminders remains the same across all leave categories.
Adithyan RKWritten by Adithyan RK
Surya N
Fact Checked by Surya N
Published on: 3 Mar 2026Last updated:
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