Jury Duty Excuse Letter From Employer — Free Template

Courts expect jury service to be inconvenient for most employers, so a busy season alone is rarely enough. Stronger reasons include being the only person who can do an essential job, running a very small business that would close, or a key deadline that cannot be moved.

Postponement is usually much easier to get than excusal for work reasons. Offering specific dates when you could serve shows good faith and makes approval more likely.

It should be on company letterhead, signed by a manager or owner, and explain your role, why no one else can cover it, and how long the problem will last. It should give a realistic timeframe, such as until a colleague returns or a project ends.

The letter should be factual and short. Courts are not persuaded by statements that you are simply too valuable to be spared.

Federal law protects the jobs of people serving on federal juries, and most states have laws that prohibit employers from firing or penalizing employees for jury service. An employer should never pressure you to ignore a summons.

Whether your employer must pay you during jury service depends on your state and company policy. Check your employee handbook. If losing pay would cause serious financial hardship, mention that in your request too.

Until the court tells you otherwise, assume you still have to appear. Sending a letter doesn't automatically excuse you, and failing to show up for jury duty can lead to a follow-up notice, a fine or an order to explain your absence to a judge.

If you haven't heard back a week or so before your date, call or email the jury office listed on your summons, give your juror number and ask whether your request was received. Many courts also let you check your status online.

If your request is denied, you can often still ask for a postponement instead, or raise your hardship in person when you report — judges sometimes excuse jurors during selection when serving on a long trial would be a genuine burden.