At times it is necessary for employees to miss time at work outside of the time afforded by sick leave or paid time off. In the event that this is the case, the employer may require a formal excuse letter. Formal excuse letter serve as a post hoc explanation for an absence.By submitting a formal excuse letter, the employee informs the employer not only of the reasons for missing work but also, by
. virtue of proving the letter, conveys the value of continued employment and a commitment to the job. In doing so, the employee may secure what could be a tenuous job situation as well as be able to avoid punishment for missed time. Additionally, based on the employer and the nature of the situation, the employee may be able to avoid lost wages as a result of missed time.There are a number of critical aspects that must be present and addressed to enhance the likelihood that the letter will be well received. The first, and most important, aspect of the letter is the tone and word choice. Given that this letter is one being directed from the employee to the employer, it is of utmost importance for the tone to be one of formality and respect for the employer. Casual word choice, improper form or tone and the use of slang or disrespect can all affect how the employer receives and ultimately views the letter.Stylistically, the letter should follow a format similar to any other formal letter. The address should be to Mr. or Mrs. Followed by the name of the recipient. If the recipient cannot be known, then "To Whom It May Concern" ought to be sufficient. The body of the letter should then proceed to give the date of the missed work period or periods. There should then follow the reason for missing work. This reason should avoid sounding "whiny" or in any way deserving or pretentious but rather simply state in a formal and explanatory manner why presenting oneself for work on that date was not possible. The closing should be formal, specifically "Sincerely" followed by the employee name.Overall the letter should be typed in a word processor and hand-signed at the end.Examples of formal excuse letters can be found in numerous locations online. These should serve as a model and be adapted to meet the requirements of any particular circumstance.More reference links: http://www.bestsampleresume.com/letters/sample-excuse-letter.html http://www.docstoc.com/search/excuse-absent-letter-samples
