How to Ask to Work from Home During a Pandemic

While the world is facing an emergency with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) it is important to remain calm, maintain good hygiene habits, and (in case you need it) know how to request a work from home letter or a sick leave letter if you are unable to continue your duties.

Ho Profile
By Ho 3 minute read

Our customers have been hired by:*Foot Note

Introduction

The CDC wants United States citizens to prepare for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Though the virus is now considered a Global Health Emergency, and has recently been declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization, there is no reason to panic. As part of the global effort  (if possible) it’s preferable that we temporarily self quarantine and work from home.

Build my cover letter

Request Letter to Work From Home

Try talking with your superior and supervisors about the contingency plans the company has to combat this virus if an outbreak occurs in your work community.

It is important to remember that the Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Dr. Antohny Fauci, has said that “We would recommend that there not be large crowds,” Fauci said. “As a public health official, anything that has large crowds is something that would give a risk to spread.”

Since these expressions were made, many have considered the possibility to “work from home”. Start a conversation with your boss on whether you have this opportunity. Make sure you let your supervisor know how you feel towards this situation.

You can also write a formal letter requesting to work from home. Feel free to use our sample letter below as a guide in creating your letters, and be sure to customize your letter:

 

Ms. Diane Rabinowitz

Director

Human Resources

Zeppelin Communications LTD.
227 First
Street, Suite 222
Cleveland, OH 42367

Dear Ms. Rabinowitz,

As per our conversation this morning, I am submitting this letter to request an accommodation to work from home. I have already covered the details of this matter with my manager and I hope to get this approved quickly.

Due to the recent events regarding COVID-19, the CDC and the WHO are recommending to stay at home whenever possible to slow the spread of the virus. Beyond the general population risk, additional risk factors in my home life make it imperative that I avoid contracting the virus. I am prepared to work effectively from home. My overall desire is to minimize disruption as much as possible. I agree to periodic review of this accommodation, if granted.

I appreciate your prompt attention to this matter.

Respectfully,
Leonard G Barnard

Sick Leave Letter Sample

If you are experiencing any symptoms such as fever, coughing, sneezing, you can help your community and coworkers by staying at home as much as possible. This doesn’t mean you have Coronavirus, but as mentioned in the previous point, staying away from crowds and work spaces will help prevent others getting sick. The CDC and the WHO are recommending that people who are sick should take a preventive quarantine at their home without contact with others for twelve (12) days. Once the twelve (12) days finish and you have not presented any symptoms for at least 48 hours you are safe to return to your regular routine. Remember, it’s essential to communicate your sick leave request to your employer promptly.

 

Ms. Diane Rabinowitz

Director

Human Resources

Zeppelin Communications LTD.
227 First Street, Suite 222
Cleveland, OH 42367

Dear Ms. Rabinowitz,

As per our conversation this morning, I am submitting this letter to request sick leave. I have already covered the details of this matter with you and my department manager and supervisors and with this letter I hope now we can get this matter processed quickly.
My primary doctor and medical team are advising me to stay at home as much as possible due to the recent events regarding the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). My doctor has told me that the CDC and the WHO are recommending sick people to be at least twelve (12) days in self quarantine to prevent others from getting sick and to monitor the flu to make sure symptoms don’t get worse. I have attached the necessary doctor’s notices and medical reports that human resources needs, if you need any other verification or information about my sick leave, please let me know soon so I can provide the info requested. I hope to hear from my department that everything has been approved. While I do expect to be back at work twelve days after the preventive quarantine, if symptoms worsen and more time is needed, I will contact both human resources and my department managers immediately. My overall desire is to minimize disruption as much as possible.

I do know this is fairly quick notice, but I hope you understand the global effort we are making to prevent others from getting sick.

I appreciate everyone’s prompt attention to this matter.

Respectfully,
Leonard G Barnard

Build my cover letter

Family Emergency Sick Leave Sample

What if you are feeling well, but someone in your household (your children, your partner, etc.) is sick or having symptoms that match those of the common flu or the coronavirus (COVID-19), could you request a family emergency sick leave? Yes. Even though flu symptoms in another family member are not a reason to write a “family emergency letter for work”,  due to the world crisis we are facing with this pandemic disease we should not take it lightly if someone near us does have symptoms. You too should join the twelve (12) day quarantine. Here’s an example of a “Family Emergency Sick Leave” adapted to our current emergency:

 

Ms. Diane Rabinowitz

Director

Human Resources

Zeppelin Communications LTD.
227 First Street, Suite 222
Cleveland, OH 42367

Dear Ms. Rabinowitz,

As per our conversation this morning, I am submitting this letter to request sick leave to attend to an immediate family emergency. I have already covered the details of this matter with you and my department manager and supervisors and with this letter I hope now we can get this matter processed quickly.

As you know, I have a 15 year-old son, Jeremy, who is having common flu symptoms. His primary doctor and medical team are advising him and the whole family to stay at home as much as possible due to the recent events regarding the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The doctor has told me that the CDC and the WHO are recommending sick people to be at least twelve (12) days in self quarantine to prevent others from getting sick and to monitor the flu to make sure symptoms don’t get worse. I have attached the relevant doctor’s notices and medical reports– if you need any other verification or information about my sick leave, please let me know soon so I can provide the info requested. While I do expect to be back at work twelve days after the preventive quarantine, if I too develop symptoms or his worsen and more time is needed, I will contact both human resources and my department managers immediately. My overall desire is to minimize disruption as much as possible.

I do know this is fairly quick notice, but I hope you understand the global effort we are making to prevent others from getting sick.

I appreciate everyone’s prompt attention to this matter.

Respectfully,
Leonard G Barnard

What Are The Symptoms Of  Coronavirus (COVID-19)?

First things first, let’s learn a little about the symptoms of Coronavirus (COVID-19) so you can make a better decision on whether you need a “Request Letter to Work From Home” or a “Sick Leave Letter”. I you think you or anyone in your household might have the virus, these are the symptoms to look out for:

  1. Respiratory Symptoms
  2. Fever & Tiredness
  3. Cough
  4. Muscle Pain
  5. Breathing Difficulties
  6. Shortness of Breath

In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death.

Since the symptoms of this virus are similar to the common cold some coronavirus survivors might not have been tested and their cases may have gone unreported. Without a proper test you cannot know if you have Coronavirus (COVID-19) or the common flu. That’s why you might want to consider working from home to prevent yourself from getting infected.

Build my cover letter

Frequently Asked Questions and Answers of Coronavirus

Have questions? We’re here to help.

Washing your hands is the most effective way of staying healthy and preventing transmission. Try to wash your hands after coughing or sneezing, before meal preparations, after using restrooms and when you get home from work for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice. If you are not able to access water and soap the CDC is recommending you keep handy a travel size hand sanitizer. Make sure it has at least 60% alcohol. Sanitizers can quickly reduce the number of germs on hands in many situations, however, they do not get rid of all types of germs, may not be as effective when hands are visibly dirty or greasy and might not remove harmful chemicals from hands like pesticides and heavy metals. You can find out more by visiting the CDC website.

A novel coronavirus is a new coronavirus that has not been previously identified. On February 11, 2020 the World Health Organization announced an official name for the disease that is causing the 2019 novel coronavirus outbreak, first identified in Wuhan China. The new name of this disease is coronavirus disease 2019, abbreviated as COVID-19. In COVID-19, ‘CO’ stands for ‘corona,’ ‘VI’ for ‘virus,’ and ‘D’ for disease. Formerly, this disease was referred to as “2019 novel coronavirus” or “2019-nCoV”. Right now there is no vaccine or cure but patients with COVID-19 will be evaluated and cared for differently than patients with other coronavirus diagnosis.

If you are feeling coronavirus symptoms or common cold symptoms, wearing a mask can prevent spreading the infection to others, but the CDC has said that if you are not sick, wearing a mask will not prevent you from getting coronavirus. You can keep surgical masks at home ready if you are feeling unwell or if there’s someone sick that might need it. Disposable face masks can only be used once. If you are not ill or looking after someone who is ill then you are wasting a mask. There is a world-wide shortage of masks, so WHO urges people to use masks wisely.

It is important to have basic hygiene products at home and at work. If a coronavirus outbreak occurs in your community you won’t have to leave your home and will be able to avoid large crowds and public spaces. Here’s an example or short list of products you could need:

  1. Antibacterial Soap
  2. Hands Sanitizer (with at least 60% alcohol)
  3. Alcohol
  4. Disinfecting Bleach Wipes
  5. Household Cleaners
  6. House Cleaning Bleach
  7. Disinfecting Spray
  8. Common Cold and Medicines You May Need
  9. Non Perishable Food

Couldn't find the answer you're looking for?

You can always contact us.

Ho Profile
WRITTEN BY Ho

Ho is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and editor with two decades of experience in content strategy, creation, and development. He holds a Master’s degree in Creative Writing from Johns Hopkins University and his background includes experience aiding military veterans as they transition to civilian careers.

right resume

Build a cover letter in minutes with ResumeHelp