3 Ways to Ask For Time Off

3 Ways to Ask For Time Off

Unless you have chosen to start your own business, no matter where you work, requesting time off can be scary. Whether you need time off to recover from bone spur surgery or just want to take a vacation, it is inevitable that you will need to take time away from the office at some point during your employment. No matter what your reasoning for requesting time off may be, speaking to your boss about this issue can be a daunting task. If you need to request time off work in the future, here are a few tips for doing it the right way.

Review Your PTO Policy

Before asking your boss for time off work, make sure you have a thorough understanding of your company’s paid time off policy in order to determine if your request is reasonable. How many days off are you allowed per year? How many have you used already? If your PTO is limited and you’ve already used a lot of it or have called in sick a few times this year, it might not be reasonable for you to request two weeks off work for a vacation next month.

Determine How to Have the Conversation

Many workplace experts advise against asking for time off over email or text, as having the conversation in person appears more professional and shows respect. While this is true in some capacity, it is also important for you to consider your boss’s busy schedule and evaluate how they prefer to communicate with employees in order to best respect their time. If your boss rarely meets with employees one on one and prefers to communicate most issues via email in order to conserve time, asking for time off in this way could be your best option.

Give Relevant Details

When asking for time off, it is important for you to be honest with your employee about the reasons you are taking time off in order to avoid complications in the future (it would be unfortunate to say you need time off to visit family in your hometown, only for your employer to see social media pictures of you on a tropical vacation). While giving details is important, remember that you only need to share relevant details with your boss, or details that are needed to help him or her make a decision regarding the time off you receive.

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