How Do You Write a Justification Letter?

By Staff Writer | Last Updated August 4, 2015

A justification letter should provide concrete reasons why a request for time off at work should be given. Without a justification letter, it may be difficult for an employer to make an informed decision. For example, when an employee requests time off from work, a justification letter is used to explain the rationale behind the request. It also helps the superior understand why it is necessary to miss work.

Since the request is often addressing an important away from work issue, a justification letter should be written in a formal manner. The personal details of the sender should be attached at the top, and a standard opening address, such as “To Whom It May Concern,” is advised.

A good justification letter must be brief and straight to the point. When writing it, include the basic facts first to inform the receiver of all the key details. If the letter is a request to attend a funeral of a family member, then simply describing the connection should be enough to get approval. A justification letter should end with a polite statement that asks the person to consider the request once again. An example is “Please consider my request for the time off work as outlined above.”