10 Professional Ways to Say “Personal Reasons”

Do you want to know how to get out of work due to personal reasons?

Perhaps you’re worried that the phrase itself is a bit informal or insincere and will get you into trouble!

Well, worry no longer.

This article will teach you how to say “personal reasons” professionally to help you out of a tricky spot.

You can use any of the following synonyms to express your reasons for needing time off:

• Due to unforeseen personal circumstances
• Owing to private matters
• In consideration of personal affairs
• As a result of individual circumstances
• Because of personal issues
• In light of personal obligations
• Due to a private matter that requires attention
• In consideration of personal responsibilities
• Owing to a personal matter
• Because of a private situation

Keep reading to learn how to write about personal problems in the workplace. No matter why you might need them, this article will explain more about all there is to know!

1. Due to Unforeseen Personal Circumstances

We want to start with “due to unforeseen personal circumstances.”

This is perhaps one of the best formal phrases to use when talking about personal reasons or issues outside of work.

Generally, you can use this when asking for time off work. It’s a good choice when emailing your boss because it shows you’d like a bit of sympathy for your issue.

As long as you have a decent relationship with your employer, this phrase will go a long way.

Feel free to review this email sample to learn a bit more about it, too:

Dear Miss Shell,

Due to unforeseen personal circumstances, I have to take a few weeks off.

Please bear with me while I work on some private things with my family.

Yours,
Sarah O’Connor

2. Owing to Private Matters

Next, we recommend using “owing to private matters.” This works well if you don’t want to divulge more about your personal reasons.

For instance, you may want to resign for personal reasons. Let’s say you and your family have to move away, so you need to find a new job.

However, there’s no reason you have to share this with your employer.

It’s up to you to be as detailed as you want when resigning. So, feel free to use this to be formal yet secretive.

You can also review this example to learn a bit more about how to use it:

Dear Miss Kings,

Owing to private matters, I’m afraid I cannot work here any longer.

I’ll be in touch, but my resignation is effective immediately.

Yours,
Hillary Danvers

3. In Consideration of Personal Affairs

There are plenty of reasons why someone might leave a job. Now, if you left a job for personal reasons, you might want to say “in consideration of personal affairs.”

Generally, this is a good option to show you’ve weighed up your situation and come to a reasonable outcome for yourself.

It’s formal and honest, showing you’ve taken personal and professional affairs into account.

At the end of the day, personal affairs should almost always come first. So, you might need to write a resignation letter to your employer that starts with a phrase like this.

Also, you can check out this letter sample to learn a bit more about using it:

Dear Mr. Rogers,

In consideration of personal affairs, I must resign from my post.

While I’ve enjoyed my time here, I’m afraid I have to move on.

Best regards,
Daniella Brand

4. As a Result of Individual Circumstances

Another way to say “personal reasons” is “as a result of individual circumstances.”

This usually means something has occurred that’s affected the way you think about work. You might have to ask for time off to help out with family members who need you.

Generally, there’s nothing wrong with using a phrase like this.

After all, it shows you put family first, and you need to tend to an emergency before you feel comfortable returning to work.

Any reasonable employer would be happy for you to sort out personal matters and take time off. So, as long as you have a good working relationship, this phrase will go a long way.

Check out this sample email to learn more if you’re still unsure:

Dear Miss Willis,

As a result of individual circumstances, I’m going to need to take some time off.

I hope you can understand, and I’ll let you know when I will be ready to return.

Yours,
George White

5. Because of Personal Issues

Next, we recommend using “because of personal issues.” After all, “personal issues” is another word for “personal reasons” that goes a long way in most formal emails.

It suggests that you or your family are going through a difficult time.

For the most part, the email recipient won’t pry further. This is a secretive yet honest way to show that you need some time away from work.

Also, this email sample will help you to understand it a bit better:

Dear Miss Whitehall,

Because of personal issues, I’ll have to take some time off.

Please let me know if there’s anything I might be able to do remotely.

Thank you so much,
Arianne Evans

6. In Light of Personal Obligations

If you’re calling out of work for personal reasons, you might need to know better ways to word things. Something like “in light of personal obligations” goes a long way.

Let’s say you need time off to care for your family. Maybe someone has gotten sick, and they don’t have anyone else available to look after them.

Whatever the case, this synonym keeps things formal and honest. It’s a direct way to show that you’re going to take time off.

Usually, this works best when you don’t ask for time off. Instead, it’s better to make a brief demand to show that you need to take some time.

You can also review this email example to learn a bit more:

Dear Miss Hills,

In light of personal obligations, I cannot make this meeting.

I’m sorry, but you’ll have to fill me in on the details when I return.

Yours,
Kyla Rae

7. Due to a Private Matter That Requires Attention

Next, feel free to use “due to a private matter that requires attention” to start an email.

This is a great way to highlight that something has occurred outside of the workplace.

For the most part, it gets your point across without going into too much detail. This will often help people understand and respect your privacy.

The phrase itself remains professional, too. Therefore, it works wonders when contacting your boss about taking time away from work.

Here’s a helpful example to show you a bit more about it:

Dear Ryan,

Due to a private matter that requires attention, I cannot work on Sunday.

I’m afraid you’ll have to find someone else to cover for me.

Yours,
Bethany Bradshaw

8. In Consideration of Personal Responsibilities

You can also try “in consideration of personal responsibilities.”

Everyone has responsibilities outside of the workplace. After all, most of your life is spent with family, friends, and loved ones. You owe them your responsibility from time to time!

Therefore, this is a trustworthy and honest way to show you have considered your options. It suggests you appreciate your workplace, but you need time away to sort out private matters.

You can also review this example to learn more:

Dear Miss Tonks,

In consideration of personal responsibilities, I will need time off to think about this.

I hope you can understand my situation.

Best wishes,
Shaun Rogers

9. Owing to a Personal Matter

We also like using “owing to a personal matter” instead of “personal reasons.”

This is a great way to professionally highlight a problem outside of the workplace.

It’s direct and honest. It also shows you’ve weighed up your options before sending an email to the recipient.

Try using it when declining a meeting. It might conflict with a personal matter outside of the workplace, so it’s a good way to turn the recipient down.

Also, this email sample will clear more things up:

Dear Ms. Billiard,

Owing to a personal matter, I’m not going to be able to make it.

Please let me know if I miss anything important, though.

Thanks so much,
Ben Proctor

10. Because of a Private Situation

Finally, we recommend writing “because of a private situation” to cancel an event at work.

There are plenty of things that could occur outside of the workplace to mess up your plans.

Unfortunately, there’s always no way to prevent them.

At the very least, you can be honest and formal when discussing them. That’s where this phrase comes in.

It works well when formally requesting time away. Your boss will often understand, even if you don’t go into much detail about the “private situation.”

You should also check out this email sample to learn a bit more:

Dear Ms. Clank,

Because of a private situation, I’ll need to take a few more days off.

I hope you can understand, and I look forward to returning to work shortly.

Yours,
Noah Ohlsen