Formal to Superior
Workplace · Greeting
本日より職場復帰いたします。長らくご迷惑をおかけしました。 — I am returning to work from today. I apologize for the long inconvenience caused. (Workplace · Greeting, Formal to Superior, JLPT N3)
You
本日より職場復帰いたします。長らくご迷惑をおかけしました。
ほんじつよりしょくばふっきいたします。ながらくごめいわくをおかけしました。
I am returning to work from today. I apologize for the long inconvenience caused.
Romaji: Honjitsu yori shokuba fukki itashimasu. Nagaraku gomeiwaku wo okake shimashita. / Reply Romaji: Okaeri nasai. Murishinai you ni ne.
Reply
お帰りなさい。無理しないようにね。
おかえりなさい。むりしないようにね。
Welcome back. Don't push yourself too hard.
Gesture & etiquette
Stand to address your team at the start of the day, bow about 30 degrees, then look around at colleagues with a small smile. Hand out individual greetings later, especially to those who covered your work. If gifting omiyage, hand them out personally with both hands.
Returning from extended leave (sickness, parental leave, sabbatical) in Japan calls for a humble greeting to your team. 「ご迷惑をおかけしました」 acknowledges that your absence created work for others, regardless of the cause. Even if your leave was legitimate (e.g., maternity), this phrase is expected etiquette. Bring small omiyage (gifts) for close team members if your absence was long.