Asking for leave once used to be a nerve-wracking process. Employees used to wonder if their superiors would even find their reasons good enough to let them have a few days off. If the reason seemed even slightly absurd in their own head, then they never spoke it aloud.
Gen Z, though, seems to have reached a level of transparency that keeps either gaping in shock or awe.
Breakup Party
Jasveer Singh, CEO and Co-founder of Knot Dating, recently shared a highly unconventional reason he was given behind a leave request.
The email read, “Hello Sir, I recently had a breakup and haven’t been able to focus on work. I need a short break. I’m working from home today, so I’d like to take leave from the 28th to the 8th.”
Luckily for this particular employee, Singh was certainly understanding and even slightly amused by the request. “Got the most honest leave application yesterday. Gen Z doesn’t do filters!”
The internet itself seemed divided on whether such a request should really have been allowed or even accepted. Despite the divisive nature of the online population, both the boss and the employee in this case were on the same side. After all, who better to understand the pain of a break-up than those behind a marriage/dating app?
Vibe Check
Sometimes, the reason behind a leave can be ineffable. Yes, you want a break, but you don’t really know how to tell your superiors or even your peers just why you want a break. This is yet another barrier that Gen Z has overcome with all their casual grace and blunt words.
One boss took to Reddit to share how their Gen Z intern had simply decided to take a break because they wanted to cool down.
“Hi, feeling a bit overwhelmed with all the work, and my energy feels a little off, so not getting that vibe right now. I’ll be out from 28th July to 30th July (please don’t miss me). Here’s my train PNR XXX, and attaching the booking slip for reference. Will talk soon, bye.”
The email certainly threw the boss for a loop, but they ultimately chose to appreciate the honesty and openness by approving the leave. Yet again, the internet was divided between those who admired this email and those who were aghast at how the request was worded.
What Do You Mean You Need a Reason?
For some Gen Z employees, vibes, breakups, or the call of the mountains are good enough reasons to put in a leave. For some others, a leave is a leave, and the why remains unanswered.
“Hi Siddharth, I will be on leave on 8th Nov 2024. Bye.”
Short, crisp, simple, and with no stated reason, this particular leave request from a Gen Z employee to their boss had the internet up in arms. Some wished they too could just leave it at that, while others wondered how such a request could even be considered admissible.
The blunt email left many debating whether or not employees should be simply allowed to take leave without giving a reason. Many asked why one should have to explain why they are taking leave, which they are rightfully entitled to. The others countered that providing a reason is, at the bare minimum, a sign of workplace courtesy.
What’s in a Reason?
A core reason behind Gen Z’s candidness in asking for leave is perhaps the fact that their views surrounding what a leave means have changed. The newer generation of worker considers their leaves as a part of their compensation.
Gen Z firmly believes that they should be allowed to take their leave with just as much confidence as they take their salaries. And many Gen Z employees do feel that if they are allowed to spend their money as they like, surely, leaves should follow the same pattern?
Whether or not the bluntness of Gen Z is acceptable depends on the mindset of the individuals involved. In cases most discussed on the internet, bosses might say that the reasons behind the leave are “unusual” and “first-of-a-kind,” but they did not stop their employees from taking a break.
And, if both parties are on the same page, does it really matter what the reason behind a leave is?
