Band 9: You are an employee at a company and you have been asked to work overtime every day this week, but you have a family commitment that you cannot miss. Write a letter to your manager explaining your situation. Include: why you are unable to work overtime, what you suggest as an alternative solution to complete your tasks, and how you will ensure your regular duties are not neglected.

Dear Mr. Smith,

I am writing to explain why I am unable to work overtime this week, despite the additional hours requested by the company.

Unfortunately, I have a family commitment that I must attend to every evening this week. This is an important occasion that has been arranged in advance, and therefore, I would not be able to stay at the office beyond my regular working hours.

However, I fully understand the importance of completing our current tasks on schedule. As an alternative, I would be happy to start work earlier each morning or complete some of my assignments remotely from home, provided that this is acceptable. I could also prioritize urgent tasks and coordinate with my colleagues to ensure that deadlines are met.

Furthermore, I will make sure that my regular responsibilities are not affected by this arrangement. I intend to organize my daily schedule carefully, set clear priorities, and monitor my progress throughout the week. This will allow me to maintain my usual standard of work while managing the additional responsibilities.

I sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. I would be grateful if we could discuss a suitable arrangement.