The key to writing a great email to your boss is understanding the structure and how you can use it to your advantage. Bosses are busy people, so we must keep our emails streamlined, focusing on what we need and why it matters.
There are only so many ways you can email your boss with a request, and in this monster post, you’ll find 49 of them (we just couldn’t get to 50).
How to write an email to your boss
Emailing your boss is a basic task we perform every day – but it’s not always simple to get the structure and tone right. Thankfully, learning how to write a persuasive email to your boss is a crucial skill and easy to learn – and we’ll show you how.
Let’s get down to business and get ready to email your boss.
Email etiquette when messaging your boss
Bosses are people too, right? So following the principles of good email etiquette is essential. It’s not just about being polite; it’s also more likely to get a positive response if your email is professional and gets straight to the point.
A good relationship with a boss is the basis of a successful career, say the experts at HBR. Google is full of articles with excellent tips on how to build a great relationship, but ultimately it comes down to respect – from both sides.
Clear communication on both sides is the basis for the best working partnerships.
We can show you how to craft a great email with the correct structures, but you’ll need to find the weight words for each situation. But first, you’ll have to decide when to email your boss and when to call your boss.
When to email and when to call your boss
There are certain workplace situations you should never email, says recruitment experts Monster. They include offering criticism, pointing out problems, and announcing personnel changes.
But how can you decide whether to email your boss or when to call?
Sure, it’s a judgment call, but we suggest delivering sensitive or challenging information over a call. Examples can include the decision to leave a job, explaining sickness absence, or raising an issue with a co-worker. Once you’ve spoken with your boss, you can email.
Another consideration is whether your boss’s emails can be read by anyone else. If this is the case, then be doubly cautious in your communications.
How to acknowledge email from boss
You’ve sent your boss an email, and they’ve replied, so do you leave it at that?
Yes! You should acknowledge an email from your boss. Firstly, it’s polite to acknowledge any email personally directed to you. Secondly, your boss will want to know that their information has been understood.
However, if your boss has just said “thanks” or some bland reply, there’s no need to keep batting emails back and forth.
Email format to boss
By now, you should understand when you need to send your boss an email and the reasons why following a standard format is essential. But what is the correct format for an email to your boss? Let’s take a look…
1. Subject line for an email to boss
The subject line is a make-or-break moment for any email. If it's basic, bland or boring, it won’t get opened by a busy boss. But make it too detailed, and the information may get lost.
A great subject line is fewer than 10 words and explains the purpose of the message. It’s not as difficult as it sounds to create great subject lines – and here are 5.
- Vacation request (insert dates)
- Hello from me on my first day!
- Request for feedback on my performance review
- Family emergency – can we chat today?
- Can we arrange a meeting to discuss a personal matter?
OK, so these are pretty basic, but you can see the principles at work.
A simple vacation request subject line such as that can be actioned, filed, and deleted in minutes. A family emergency email will raise a red flag immediately that this is something urgent to be attended to. A greeting email on a boss’s first day is likely to be less urgent.
Can you spot the pattern? A great subject line to an email to your boss helps them understand whether the request is important, urgent, or can be dealt with at a more suitable time.
2. How to start an email to your boss
How you start your email to your boss depends on your relationship, the organizational culture, and who else might read it. So let’s break these down:
If you’re friendly with your boss, you can use a ‘hi’ or ‘hello’. If you’re new or unsure of how your boss operates, stick with more formal approaches such as ‘Dear’.
Some organizations have quite a culture that may frown on informal communications. For example, those in government, the civil service, or the legal profession may want to avoid being too casual. Again, we advise being more formal until you know what a company’s culture is like.
Finally, if your emails will be read by others (such as a higher-up boss or an HR team), you should consider what you write and how you write it.
3. How to address your boss in an email
When addressing your boss in an email, you have several options:
- First name
- First name and surname
- Professional title and surname
- Professional title, first name, and surname
Again, it depends on the organizational culture, context, and your relationship. You'll have to decide based on your relationship, but one thing we do suggest is ditching titles such as Mr, Miss, or Ms; just leave them out, and nobody will notice (or care!).
Formal titles should, in most cases, be respected. However, if you’re emailing a doctor or professor, adding their title is polite and professional.
4. How to address two bosses in an email
The advice on addressing two bosses in an email is the same as above! Use the combination of first name and surname that you find suitable. Address the person the email is most relevant to (even if they are less senior).
If you’re emailing professors, then use both titles like this:
Hi Professor XXX and Professor YYY.
5. How to greet your boss in an email
We explore how to greet your boss in an email in our 49 examples below, but the basic principles include:
- Explain who you are
- Explain why you’re emailing
- Be clear about what you want
We won’t go into this in too much detail, as it’s easier to illustrate in an example (and there are 49 below!).
6. How to end an email to your boss
When closing an email to the boss, clearly spell out what you want. In the trade, we call this a CTA, but it can be summed up as a simple statement that says what you want.
- If you’re asking for leave, you’ll want to request your boss to confirm your response (by a specific time if you’re booking a holiday!)
- If you want to book a meeting, suggest some dates and times
- If you’re asking for feedback, explain why you want it and when you need it
After your CTA, you should provide a suitable sign-off. Examples can include:
- Thanks
- Kind regards
- Many thanks
- I look forward to hearing from you
49 different email to your boss examples
OK, so we’ve gone over the basics; now it’s time to get down to business with 49 (yes, 49) writing an email to your boss examples. You can find sample emails to some of the most common (and some less common) questions for bosses.
If you’re looking for an example of a highly persuasive email to your boss to use, then get scrolling.
1. Sample sick email to boss
Let’s start with a classic message: how to email your boss to say you're sick. If your boss is OK with messaging about sickness, this template contains everything you need. Here’s our sample sick email to a boss.
2. Sample vacation request email to boss
It’s time to book a holiday, but before you do, remember to email your boss to request the time off! This sample vacation request email is basic but will do the business.
3. Sample farewell email to boss
Your boss is leaving, but can you find the right words for writing a farewell email? Don’t worry; we have this glorious goodbye email to the boss example. Cut, paste and personalize it for your boss.
4. Sample thank you email to a boss
Some bosses simply do the basics, while others go the extra mile. If yours is one of the good ones, this sample thank you email to a boss is for you. A thank you email to the boss for appreciation will mean a lot, so be sure to go into details.
Oh, and if you’re searching for a subject line for thank you email to the boss, then just go with “Thanks!”.
5. Death in the family email to boss sample
A death in the family can derail the best-laid plans and is a common reason for requesting leave at work. Here’s a standard email sample to request time off after a death in the family.
6. Sample email apology to boss
Sorry is often the hardest word to say, but this sample email apology to your boss is an excellent template to follow. And if you’re struggling with how to start, “Please accept my apologies” is a suitable subject line for an apology email to your boss.
7. Salary increase email to boss sample
Requesting a raise is a bold move, but it can help you get what you deserve in business. Take a look at this salary increase sample email for your boss. Our advice: be brave!
8. Gentle reminder email to boss sample
Your boss is, well, the boss, so it can be hard to ask them to do something, which is where our gentle reminder to your boss sample can work wonders. Feel free to adapt this to your circumstances and situation.
9. Sample email to your boss about a problem
It’s vital that you feel able to raise problems with your boss, and this sample email can help. Of course, you’ll have to include all the details, but this email to a boss about a situation is a great place to start.
10. Sample email to your boss on the first day at work
Saying hi to your boss on the first day of work is a nice touch that can help you build a great relationship right from the start. This introductory sample email can be sent to your boss on the first day of work to set the right tone.
11. Sample email to schedule a meeting for boss
Want to arrange a meeting with your boss? Here’s our sample email request to your boss for a meeting. If you don’t like this one, we’ve written a whole host of how to request a meeting with your boss sample emails in our in-depth guide.
12. Sample email to your boss about work progress
Spending time with your boss chatting about progress can help you to become more productive and push on with your career. Here’s a sample email to your boss about work progress that will help you become better, whatever business you’re in.
13. Sample email to your boss about workload
Sometimes work can get too much, and you should always ask for help when it does. This sample email to your boss about your workload raises awareness of a problem and proposes a solution.
14. Sample email to an old boss
It’s not what you know, but who you know, the old saying goes – and sometimes the best jobs come from old bosses. So here’s a sample email to an old boss asking for a job that may help you get ahead in your career!
15. Sample introduction email to new boss
Worried about how to introduce yourself to your new boss via email and searching for a great template? Here’s one…
16. Sample email to boss for promotion
In most cases, you should probably ask for a promotion in person. But, if you can’t (for whatever reason), here’s how to ask your boss for a promotion in an email. Be prepared for some questions and come back before you get that bigger wage packet, but be brave.
17. Sample professional email to boss
There are loads of reasons why you may need to email your boss formally. But, whatever the situation or circumstance, this sample professional email to your boss should be just about perfect.
18. Sample thank you email to your boss when leaving a job
When leaving a job, it’s always a great idea to say thanks to your boss.
Why? Because you may want to ask them for a reference or job in the future (and because you’re a nice person, obviously). In that case, use our sample thank you email to a boss when leaving a job.
19. Sample email to new boss before starting
Sure, you’ll send your boss an email on the first day you start, but why not send one before you start? You can ask any questions and even do some valuable prep before the first day.
If you’re writing a message, our sample email to a new boss before starting is essential.
20. Sample formal email to boss
If you’re in a professional environment, this formal sample email to your boss is suitable for (almost) any request.
21. Sample congratulations email for promotion to boss
Your boss just got a promotion (hooray) and you want to congratulate them. Our sample congratulations email for promotion to your boss says everything you need to.
22. Sample condolence email to boss
Unfortunately, your boss may suffer bereavement in their family. It can be hard to find the right words, so use our sample condolence email to your boss as the basis, and it’ll be a little easier.
23. Sample family emergency email to boss
Sometimes the world throws things at our families, and we must deal with them. This sample family emergency email to your boss will save time and ensure you’re secure in dealing with the problems you’re experiencing.
Remember, you don’t need to go into details (unless you want to).
24. Proposal email to boss sample
Great ideas deserve to be shared, so don’t keep yours to yourself. This proposal email to your boss sample is a great way to share your innovations!
25. How to say no to your boss email example
Saying no to your boss can be tough, but you should never be afraid to stand up for yourself. This sample email on how to say no to your boss provides a short and structured approach to delivering such a difficult message.
26. How to ask your boss a question in an email example
We’ve covered how to deliver good and bad news (and almost everything else in between); here’s how to ask your boss a question in an email example.
27. Sample email to send a report to your boss
Writing reports is (sadly) a bit part of many of our jobs. So when you’ve written one, here’s a sample email that you can send to your email with a report.
28. How to request something from your boss in email example
Requesting something just got easier with this sample. Here’s a sample email you can use to request something from your boss.
29. Sample retirement email to boss
A life of relaxation is your reward on retirement (if you’ve saved enough), and it all starts with an email to your boss. This sample retirement email to your boss explains your reasons for leaving and when you want to go.
30. How to notify your boss about a doctor appointment email
A doctor’s appointment is a reasonable reason to ask for some time off, and here’s how to do it. This email is an effective way to notify your boss about a doctor’s appointment.
31. Sample email to boss requesting time off
It’s not just a doctor’s appointment or a vacation that you ask for time off. It could be a family birthday, a hot date, an interview for another job, or a well-earned duvet day. Here’s a great sample email to your boss requesting time off.
32. How to tell your boss you are upset email example
If you’re upset, you should never have to suffer alone. This sensitive email can tell your job why you’re upset. Of course, you’ll have to go into some detail, but it’s probably worth organizing a meeting to delve into the details further.
33. How to write an email to the boss for work from home example
Hybrid work is the norm, right? Not for everyone. Whether you’re asking to work from home for a single day or an entire week, here’s how to write an email to your boss to ask to work from home.
34. Sample performance review email to boss
Performance reviews should be a priority for every boss, but they can often be forgotten or ignored. Use this sample performance review email to your boss to ensure you get one in the diary today.
35. Sample absence email to boss
An absence email is usually used as a follow-up to explain why you’ve been off when you've returned to work. In some companies, it’s an essential part of the HR process. We can’t fill in all the gaps here, but this sample absence email to your boss contains the essentials.
36. Sample appreciation email to boss
If your boss has done something special that deserves respect, don’t hesitate to say it. This sample appreciation email to your boss is a simple way to say thanks.
37. Sample a happy birthday email to boss
Signing a card and singing a song are great ways to wish your boss happy birthday in an office, but if you’re working at home, you’ll need an email. So here’s a sample happy birth email everyone will feel warm about receiving.
38. How to ask your boss for advice email sample
Your boss is (or should be!) more experienced than you, so if you need advice, ask them. Here’s a sample template for asking your boss for advice and guidance.
39. Bad news email to boss example
Nobody likes to give bad news, but this template should help you. In this example, email to break the bad news to your boss; we don’t delve into details as this is 100% better in person.
40. Sample bereavement leave an email to boss
The death of a loved one is a terrible time, and you’ll need the support of family and friends. This sample bereavement leave request email to your boss is one less thing you need to worry about.
41. Sample complaint email to boss
This sample complaint email to your boss provides a functional framework to explain your issues and ask for a response. Follow it, and you won’t go too far wrong.
42. How to ask for feedback from boss in email example
Feedback from your boss is an essential part of improving in your career. This example illustrates how to ask for feedback from your boss in a polite and professional way.
43. How to ask your boss for support email example
Sometimes, we all need a little extra support from our managers to help us through tough times. This email contains all you need to ask your boss for support.
44. Sample get well soon email to boss
It’s not just workers that get sick; bosses do too! Here’s a sample get-well email to your boss.
45. Follow up email to your boss sample
Need to send your manager a check-in email? Here’s our follow-up email to your boss.
46. Sample funeral email to boss
This sample funeral email to your boss follows a simple format. It’s functional and straightforward, which is all you need to do.
47. Greeting email to boss sample
You’ve got a new manager, so how do you greet them? This greeting email to your boss sample is a great example, whatever organization you’re working in.
48. Sample email to your boss about a new position
You’ll need to let your manager know if you've got another job. This sample email to your boss about a new position is a formality we all must follow. It’s best to let your manager know you’ve got a new job in a phone call.)
49. Sample welcome email to new boss
If you’ve got a new manager, a welcome email will start your relationship in the best possible way. This sample welcome email to your new boss is a great way to kick things off.
Writing emails to your boss using MailMaestro
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Final words
So, you’ve reached the end of this epic guide on how to write an email to your boss. By now, you should have the skills.
To help, you can copy and paste one of the 49 examples of persuasive emails to your boss!
The principles of great emails include keeping it simple, focusing on the core message, and following the format we’ve established.
Do that, and you’ll find your boss reads and responds to all your emails. Better still, why not try MailMaestro's AI email writing features to get it done right, faster, and better? You can try it for free, by following this link for Outlook and this link for Gmail.
Write an email to my boss requesting an update on our project. mention that I’d like to stay informed about developments and next steps, and additional actions required
follow-up on our previous call, ask if he’s ready to start cooperation let him know that our discount ends tomorrow ask him if he had time to calculate roi
