A viral email of one GenZ employee informing rather than requesting their boss of an upcoming leave, has shocked many corporate people! Here’s why!
It is a screenshot that was shared by investor Siddharth Shah on X, that had an unusually blunt message: “Hi Siddharth, I will be on leave on 8th November 2024. Bye.” Shah added the screenshot with a caption, “How my Gen Z team gets its leaves approved.”
how my gen z team gets its leaves approved pic.twitter.com/RzmsSZs3ol
— Siddharth Shah (@siddharthshahx) November 5, 2024
This not so traditionally professional leave ‘request’ has started a debate on the internet. It was the email’s straightforwardness that has surprised many netizens. Traditionally, employees seek leave approvals from their managers, often explaining the reason or timing to ensure that work isn’t disrupted.
What this email did differently was that it did not ask for approval nor provide further context, and instead, simply informed the manager of the decision.
How Netizens reacted?
Now, the internet is divided, some users praising the email’s clarity, while others saw it as lacking professionalism.
One social media user humorously commented, “If I had sent this message to my manager, he would have scheduled a meeting with HR to discuss my behavior issues.” Another user noted the increasing trend of Gen Z employees asserting autonomy, saying, “The best part is they tell you they are on leave and don’t ask.” Yet, others raised concerns about team dynamics, questioning how such a shift might impact workplace cohesion and planning.
GenZs do things differently even in Corporate
Baby Boomers and Gen Xers have tended to seek approval for time off, often acknowledging their absence’s potential impact on the team. In contrast, many GenZs, known for valuing autonomy and directness, see their leave as an entitlement rather than a privilege, thus opting to notify rather than ask.
Gen Z view that requesting permission for leave is an outdated practice. They believe employees should not need to justify their time off as long as it is within their allocated leave days. “Normalize this,” one user wrote. “People shouldn’t have to give reasons if they want to take an off. It’s their right.”
Others agreed, suggesting that autonomy should come with mutual understanding. Some professionals shared that, in their workplaces, planned leaves are displayed in email signatures or team status updates, shifting the onus to team members to stay informed.
The Other Side: Why Leave Approvals Matter
Conversely, critics argue that leave approvals serve a functional purpose, especially in team-oriented environments. One user highlighted, “You work in a team, and your boss needs to manage your absence.” They suggested that, without approvals, team coordination could falter, especially during critical project phases.
Other users pointed out that approvals are a matter of etiquette, particularly in larger organizations where scheduling and workload management are crucial.
An X user from Europe observed, “Even where labor laws are strict, you still need leave approval. Rejections can happen, and if you ignore them, it could be grounds for termination.”
Would you go for a GenZ way for leave requests or stick to the OG?
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