My BF is asking for either a schedule change or leave of absence from work. He asked me to look over the letter, but I don't know anything about how making these requests work. I'll paste his letter below. Any thoughts? (I've deleted identifying details, but just so it's not totally confusing, he wants a leave of absence or schedule change because he was accepted into a residency program for his artwork.) Thanks in advance!
******** Dear K----,
This is a letter to officially request a leave of absence for my recent acceptance into the -------------- program. The residency this year accepted 28 applicants out of 1000 emerging artists and is a self proclaimed spring board into the ------------ Art circuit for alumni of the program. I feel I owe it to myself and all the times I have been rejected to make the most of this opportunity to the fullest extent possible.
So far I am extremely grateful for the life [this company] has provided for me. I have been able to meet the needs of my artistic career through my job here, and I am so very appreciative of the flexibility of the schedule provided thus far here in the ----------- Department, but I have come to a crossroads and need your understanding now more than ever. I am finding I need more time to complete what I have set out to do in this residency. I am willing to work any schedule that will provide me with another day each week or take an official leave of absence on a day that the department deems appropriate to not have me at my desk.
Below is a 4 day schedule I think would work well for my needs and provide the department with more coverage on the Sunday’s when classes are in session and students need access to the greenscreen room.
[example schedule]
If I were to take a leave of absence a Wednesday or preferably a Thursday off would be most helpful and productive. The schedule would look something like this
[another example schedule]
I would need either of these schedules to be effective as soon as possible until ---------. I would be more than willing to work if M--- is sick or on leave on the Wed or Thursdays I am requesting off. I would be most humbly grateful to you and this department in recognizing the significance of this award and its merit by granting me this time to dedicate to my dream and passion.
Thank you in advance for taking the time to look this all over K----,
I think that the letter is perfect and if he has a great relationship with his boss it should be just what the doctor ordered. The only thing that he should be nervous/worried about in making this request is what kind of policies his company has on flex-time (which is essentially what he is asking for).
It sounds like a great opportunity though - congrats to you both!!!
__________________
"Whatever you are, be a good one." --Abraham Lincoln
Thanks, Farrah! I didn't want to give him bad advice since I don't know anything about asking for flex time, so it is very helpful to get your feedback.
As a manager, I'd rather get straight to the "what are you asking me for" and then listen to how much you appreciate me and the opportunity I've given you and blah blah.
Farrah is correct, though - what he's asking for is flex-time. A leave of absence is time off for an extended period (to have a baby, write a novel, travel to Peru). The term itself would scare me, so I would delete it and just say "a revised schedule" or something like that.
He's done an excellent job pointing out the benefits to this arrangement for the company - such as extra coverage on Sundays. The only thing I'd be inclined to add is that if it's necessary for the department to hire someone to fill in, your BF could volunteer to hire and train that person.