Leave of absence request form
A leave-of-absence request is distinct from casual time off. This form is for formal, extended leaves — medical leave, parental leave, personal leave — that need documented approval. It captures the type of leave, start and expected return dates, a reason, and an optional file upload for supporting documentation. Use this when the leave is longer than a day or two and requires formal tracking; for casual PTO or a single vacation day, use a time off request form instead.
The form beside this text is live. Fill it in and submit it — it validates exactly as it would for a real respondent, and saves nothing.
Leave type sorts requests so you can report on patterns
Sorting leave into types lets you track which types are most common and plan your policies around real usage. That data is in the CSV when you export.
File upload accepts supporting documentation without email back-and-forth
An optional file field lets the employee attach a document right in the form — no separate email attachment to manage.
This one uses file uploads, which is a paid feature — you can build and edit it on the free plan, but saving it needs an upgrade.
No card required.
Leave Request
Live previewHow to build this form
5 steps in the editor.
- Add a text field for employee name and an email field for confirmation and updates.
- Add a dropdown for leave type — medical, parental, personal, other — since this categorisation matters for reporting and policy.
- Add date fields for start date and expected return date, the anchors you need to plan coverage.
- Add a required textarea for the reason, as your record of what was stated at the time.
- Add an optional file field for supporting documentation, such as a doctor's note or a birth certificate.
Fields in this form
7 fields, using 6 of the 19 field types available.
| Question | Field type | Required |
|---|---|---|
| Employee name | Short text | Yes |
| Yes | ||
| Type of leave | Dropdown | Yes |
| Start date | Date | Yes |
| Expected return date | Date | Yes |
| Reason for leave | Long text | Yes |
| Supporting documentation (optional) | File upload | Optional |
What goes wrong with this form
Specific to a leave of absence request form, not general advice about forms.
Asking for manager approval inside the form
This form is intake, not approval. Do not ask the employee to get sign-off before submitting; let them submit and route it to the right person afterward.
Making the supporting document required
Medical leave might come with a note; personal leave might not. Make the file field optional so the employee can submit now and provide documents later if needed.
Leaving "Other" out of the leave type dropdown
Not every leave fits the standard categories. Include "Other" so an employee with an unusual need can still request formally instead of getting stuck.
Questions about this form
What is the difference between this and a time off request?
Time off is casual — a day or two of vacation or sick leave, usually approved quickly with no documentation. A leave of absence is formal and extended — medical leave, parental leave, a sabbatical — and often needs supporting evidence. Use this form for leaves; use a simpler form for vacation days.
Can the employee upload a doctor's note or other document?
Yes. The file field is optional and accepts a PDF or image. Everything is stored together in your dashboard, so you do not have to manage attachments in email.
What happens after they submit the form?
The response lands in your dashboard and exports to CSV. You review each request, contact the employee to confirm, and update your HR or payroll system separately — this form is the intake step, not the approval.
This one uses file uploads, which is a paid feature — you can build and edit it on the free plan, but saving it needs an upgrade.