Work From Home Request Email: Samples for 1 Day, Emergency & More

A work from home request email should be short and specific: say which day or dates you want to work from home, give a brief reason, confirm that you will be available and what you will get done, and ask for approval. Address it to your reporting manager, copy HR only if your company's policy says so, and use a clear subject such as "Work from home request for 12 November". Below are ready samples for one day, a few days, an emergency, medical reasons, and a longer arrangement.

When to send a work from home request

Most Indian companies now have some kind of work from home (WFH) or hybrid policy, but the rules differ a lot between companies, teams and roles. Before you write, check three things:

• Your company's WFH or hybrid policy. It may set how many WFH days you get, how early you must ask, and whether you apply on an HR portal instead of by email.
• Your role. Jobs that need you on site, like a branch, a lab or a front desk, may not allow WFH at all.
• Your probation status. Some companies are stricter during probation.

Common reasons people ask to work from home:

• Waiting at home for a repair, delivery or service visit.
• A minor illness where you can work but should not travel.
• Looking after a family member who is unwell.
• Travel or relocation, such as shifting houses.
• Bad weather, a transport strike or local disruption.
• Focused work that is easier without office interruptions.

If you cannot actually work that day, ask for leave instead. Our leave application format guide has samples.

What to include in a WFH request email

Keep it to five or six lines for a single day. Managers approve short, clear requests faster than long explanations.

Work from home request email for one day

Subject: Work from home request for 12 November

Dear [Manager's name],

I would like to request to work from home on Wednesday, 12 November, as I need to be at home for a scheduled repair visit at my flat.

I will be online during my usual hours (9:30 am to 6:30 pm) and reachable on Teams and on my phone at [number]. I will join the 11 am team meeting on video and complete the weekly report as planned.

Please let me know if this works.

Regards,
[Your name]
[Designation, Team]

Work from home request for a few days

Subject: Request to work from home, 17–21 November

Dear [Manager's name],

I am shifting to a new flat next week and would like to request to work from home from Monday, 17 November to Friday, 21 November.

During these days I will:

• Work my normal hours and stay available on chat and phone.
• Attend all scheduled meetings on video.
• Complete the client presentation by Thursday as planned.

I will be back in the office on Monday, 24 November. Please let me know if you need me in the office on any of these days and I will plan around it.

Thank you,
[Your name]

Emergency work from home email (same day)

Subject: Working from home today, 12 November

Dear [Manager's name],

Because of [heavy rain and waterlogging on my route / a family emergency], I am unable to travel to the office today. With your approval, I will work from home.

I am online now and available on Teams and phone. Today's tasks will go ahead as planned.

Sorry for the short notice.

Regards,
[Your name]

For a same-day request, also send a quick message or call, because your manager may not check email before the day starts.

Work from home request for health reasons

Subject: Work from home request for 12–13 November (health)

Dear [Manager's name],

I have a bad cold and the doctor has advised rest at home for a couple of days. I am well enough to work, so I would like to request to work from home on 12 and 13 November, to avoid passing it on to the team.

I will be online during regular hours and will attend meetings on audio. If I feel worse, I will let you know and apply for sick leave.

Regards,
[Your name]

You do not need to share medical details in the email. If your company needs a doctor's note for longer absences, HR will tell you.

Request to look after a family member

Subject: Work from home request, 12–14 November

Dear [Manager's name],

My mother is recovering from a minor surgery and needs someone at home for the next few days. I would like to request to work from home from 12 to 14 November.

I will keep my regular hours, with a short break around noon if needed, and I will make sure the sprint tasks assigned to me are completed on time. I am reachable on phone and chat throughout.

Thank you for understanding,
[Your name]

Request for a longer or regular WFH arrangement

Asking for two days a week or a month of remote work is a bigger request. Your manager will want to know how the team will be affected. Make the case with your work, not just your reason:

Subject: Request for a hybrid work arrangement (2 days WFH per week)

Dear [Manager's name],

I would like to request a hybrid arrangement where I work from home on Tuesdays and Thursdays, starting from 1 December.

My daily commute is close to three hours, and most of my work, such as [data reports and documentation], does not need me in the office. On WFH days I will:

• Keep my regular hours and update my status on chat.
• Be in the office for all team meetings, client visits and reviews.
• Share a short end-of-day update on what I completed.

Could we try this for one month and review it together? If it affects the team's work, I am happy to change it.

Regards,
[Your name]

Offering a trial period makes it easier for your manager to say yes. If the arrangement needs HR approval, your manager will usually forward it.

Short WFH message on chat or WhatsApp

Many teams handle one-off WFH days on Teams, Slack or WhatsApp. A chat message should still have the date, the reason and your availability:

"Hi [Manager's name], I need to stay home tomorrow (12 Nov) for a plumber visit. Can I work from home? I'll be online 9:30 to 6:30 and will join the 11 am call on video."

If your company tracks WFH days for attendance, follow the chat with a formal email or a portal entry, so there is a record.

How to reply when your WFH request is approved or refused

If approved, a one-line reply is enough: "Thank you, I will be online from 9:30 am as usual." Then make sure you are visibly available that day: respond quickly, join calls on time, and finish what you promised.

If refused, stay polite. Ask whether a different date would work, or what would help next time. Arguing over email rarely changes the decision and can affect how your manager sees you. If you think the refusal goes against your company's written policy, raise it calmly with HR.

Tips that get WFH requests approved

• Ask early. A request sent days ahead is easier to approve than one sent at 8 am.
• Avoid busy days. Don't ask for WFH on the day of a client visit, a launch or an all-hands meeting.
• Be specific. Exact dates, exact hours, exact tasks.
• Keep promises. Your next request depends on how the last WFH day went.
• Use the right channel. If your company uses an HR portal for WFH, apply there as well as emailing.
• Don't overuse it. Frequent last-minute requests make managers cautious.

If what you really want is a fully remote job, it may be easier to look for one than to convert your current role. Our guide to remote jobs in India covers where to look, and you can update your resume with the free resume builder. For other workplace emails, see how to ask for a raise and the resignation letter format.

Sources

These are general email formats, not legal or HR advice. Whether you can work from home depends on your company's own policy and your terms of employment, so check those first. The names, dates and situations in the samples are examples written for this guide.