Do the preparation task first. Then read the text and tips and do the exercises.
Preparation
From: Stefan Bauer
To: Emma Louise Jensen
Subject: Request for time off
Dear Ms Jensen,
I'm writing to request some time off between Monday 18 February and Friday 8 March in order to work on my MBA dissertation, which is due for submission on 30 March.
I understand that the three weeks I am requesting exceeds my remaining annual leave by four days. I would like to ask if those four days may be taken in lieu of the extra working hours I put in during the two weekends of the Chicago International Management Conference last November.
I have spoken to Kristian Sander and Jasmine Riber, who have both agreed to cover for me during my absence. I would also distribute a playbook for my team members so that everyone is clear on the tasks they are in charge of and the deadlines they have to meet. During my leave, I would be fully reachable by phone and email to answer any questions or provide any assistance needed. I would also be happy to discuss any further plans to ensure my workload is covered.
I believe that the research I am doing and the resulting MBA will contribute greatly to my professional development, and my improved expertise and qualifications will in turn benefit the company.
Please let me know if you need any additional information. Thank you for your consideration of my request.
Best regards,
Stefan Bauer
Tips
- This is a formal request for time off, so unless you know the recipient very well, start your email with Dear ... .
- State the dates of your absence clearly.
- Be clear right from the beginning what it is you are asking for. In some cultures, it might be more common to start by providing full background information about why time off is needed. However, when communicating across cultures, it is better to be direct (but polite) and clear about what you are requesting, so as to avoid possible miscommunication.
- Give clear reasons why you need the time off, but don't go into too much unnecessary detail.
- Assure your manager that your work can be covered and that any problems during your absence can be dealt with.
- If possible, show how your company or team can benefit from your request being approved.
- End by thanking your manager for considering your request.
Version reviewed and corrected by ChatGPT
In my country, labor law entitles every worker to 30 days of paid annual leave, calculated at a rate of 2.5 days per month.
It’s important to note that, due to climatic conditions and extreme heat in certain regions of the country, workers in these areas are entitled to 45 days of leave.
Additionally, there are other types of paid days off, such as:
Religious holidays.
Social events (e.g., weddings, maternity leave, childbirth, or bereavement).
National holidays (e.g., Independence Day).
Other public holidays (e.g., January 1st, May 1st).
In my workplace, the general attitude toward taking time off work is to ensure that no urgent tasks are left incomplete. Work responsibilities are usually delegated to a coworker with the necessary skills and experience to manage them during the employee's absence.
Although annual leave is a legal right, workers are often required to postpone, split, or even cancel their leave for work-related reasons, regardless of their position in the hierarchy. Additionally, employees are expected to remain reachable at all times and may be called back to work in case of an emergency.
They normally get 10 days annual leave in my country. In my workplace, we almost take time off for travelling. It may 3 days until 7 days off during long holiday which it may 6 days until 15 days off totally. It is also required a notice at least 3 days in advance from HR department.
Normally, in my country, employees are entitled to 30 days of vacation leave. However, in some companies, the entitlement is 15 days of annual leave, with an additional 15 days of special leave.
If there are any remaining vacation days, they can be used for personal time off, such as travel or other activities, but prior approval from the manager may be required.
In my Country, people usually can get 26 days off in a year. Of course, it should be divided between twelve months. It will be two and a half days a month.
Several years ago, I was working in a company whose manager believed that you have to work from your fingers to the bone. It meant that in his mind, giving a day off hadn't been defined.
Working in these conditions not only revived a new desire in me but also made me start learning my favorite job. I wouldn't want to burn the candle at both ends.
I personally like working especially my favorite job which makes me not aware of time, place, hunger, and thirst. But I clearly know If I don't provide for my mental and physical needs, I will definitely burn myself out and my work quality will decrease.
After that, in any job interview, I explicitly ask about getting days off and also state my opinion in order to make the right decision.
But in my heart, there is a desire. I'm interested in having a freelance job. I mean, I like to be my own boss, and It's clear that the boss definitely decides what time we have a rest or not!
I have pulled up my socks to do it.
In my country we usually have 30 days in 12 months to rest, so we can travel or plan some event that spend more than 2 days, because we have 2 days off in a week but i think this time is not enough for some plans.
In my culture it's normally to take 30 days as annual leave every year. some companies give their employees advantages for annual leave by let them take it in the next year if they have remaining days. In my work place, because it's a small environment we can talk to the manager directly or by HR section.
In my country, people normally get annual leave about 21 days . It could be for some reasons such as being ill, away on holiday, attending a training course or an important family event - a son's graduation ceremony, or a daughter's wedding.
I think It not annual leave for some reasons as being ill, In my country, if you was ill, have sick leave.
In my country, every year have 6days Paid sick leave.
In my country annual leave depends of your labor sector and the company. Employees are normally entitled to 12-15 days annual leave. General attitude towards taking time off work requires notices in advance.
In my country people normally get annual leave for four weeks. In my work place the general attitude to taking time off work, requires notice in advance.