Dear Boss,
My family and I are planning a vacation for the week of January 4th through the 8th. Would this work? Could you let me know as soon as possible if this request is approved? Thanks!
[10 Days Later…]
Dear Employee,
Sure.
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Why your torture plan will surely backfire
For some employees it’s hard enough to simply send the email. A vacation equals getting paid for not working and while it’s in the contract between employer and employee it can still be a sensitive issue. Delaying an employee’s plans can add a sour note as the employee feels like it was reluctantly given.
Who wants to be sitting at a seaside restaurant as the sun sets over the Mexican horizon thinking their boss is resenting them…
Employee: I’m allowed to go on a vacation. Why am I supposed to feel like it’s a favor to go on a vacation? They told me when I got hired that we get two weeks paid vacation so am I not supposed to take it? Is that what they want? If that’s what they want, well then forget it, this is ridiculous.
Waiter: Would you like to hear the specials?
We all desperately need our R&R and we get excited to plan our upcoming vacation. This is a sure-fire way to anger, disappoint and disengage.
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Maybe Try This Instead?
Just respond quickly with yes or no.
9 out of 10 psychologists agree that answering “yes” or “no” to questions is a great way to answer questions.