That’s how I approve time off. I realize people have dependents and school vacations and shit, so - if it even comes to that - I’ll ask if they can move it. But I see their ‘request’ more as a notice that they’ll be away, because they can always be ‘sick’. So I’m trying to preserve the trusting relationship instead.

Because honestly, the world will keep turning even if we miss that arbitrary deadline by two weeks. Or six months.