Did you ever find yourself sitting at your desk, waiting for your boss to be in a better mood? It’s finally time to have the conversation you have been avoiding for what feels like eternity now? You practice your speech over and over in the bathroom mirror. You rant to your colleagues about your nervousness. And finally, you muster up the courage to walk in there. Now what? You take a big gulp and freeze. You’re already making excuses in your head to skip the discussion altogether. Suddenly, you’re aborting the mission and planning your escape. Talking to your boss about a perfectly reasonable request seems almost illegal, but it isn’t. It shouldn’t make us feel as guilty or nervous as it does. 

Some workplace conversations are necessary. They’ll creep up on you when you least expect them. They’re one of the steps to adulting that many of us aren’t equipped to deal with. But fret not; we compiled your go-to handbook to handle the most daunting office conversations. 

Asking for a raise

So you’ve been working with the company for a while, and you’re confident about your contribution… until it’s about asking for what you deserve. It’s a very awkward conversation. But asking for a raise is a normal part of work-life. It would help if you had an open conversation with your supervisor about your goals and current performance. This ensures that the discussion is reflective rather than it serving your agenda.

Zohra Kharkhariwala, the HR manager at ADOHM Adtech Pvt. Ltd says, “Ensure that you wait for a minimum of six months at a job role before asking for a raise. You don’t necessarily have to wait for your annual performance review as long as you’re sure that you’re doing a good job handling a crucial project. Be specific with the number that you’re expecting and why you deserve it. But most importantly, don’t compare yourself with your colleagues. Make sure that you’re just talking about yourself”. And finally, Diane Domeyer, executive director of The Creative Group, says, “before any salary negotiation, conduct background research to determine your market value”. Be sure of what you deserve, and don’t ask for anything more or less. 

“If it’s possible, it’s also good to have another job offer to dangle in front of them. But either way, you aren’t going to get the hike that you deserve unless you convince them that things aren’t going to run smoothly without your expertise,” adds Rahul, a 28-year-old IT professional.

Quitting your job 

We always associate quitting our job with something dramatic. An argument with your boss where you tell them off before you storm out of the office building hot-headed. But in reality, quitting your job doesn’t always end on bad terms. Sometimes you aren’t happy at work and need a change. In this case, talking to your boss about it can be tricky. 

Research across platforms shows that you need to be very articulate about *why* you want to quit and what your plans are. In most cases, remember to be grateful for your experiences and speak to your boss without any malice. Make sure that you write a warm yet crisp resignation letter that conveys your feelings about the organization. Most people conclude that maintaining good relations with your boss and other colleagues ensures that you have a good network of people even after you leave. Try and make the transition period as easy as possible for the organization.

Kharkhariwala says, “Be upfront with your boss and give them a valid reason– even if it’s because you are looking for a better opportunity. Also, please speak to your superiors and give them an advanced notice before sending in your resignation. And work hard until your last day as it goes a long way in maintaining a good relationship with your employers. After all, you never know whether or not they’re going to be able to help you in the future”.

Ananya, a 31-year-old Marketing consultant, says, “When you want to quit, make sure that you collect your thoughts before telling your boss. Chances are you’ll try to be retained, but be polite and professional if you’re not up for it. Keep the conversation light and ensure that you’re still in their good books.” 

Taking a break/Going on a vacation

After spending three solid weeks contributing to the growing whims of Hustle Culture, you’re convinced that you need a break. Unfortunately, due to office vacation policies, you don’t have enough vacation days. Is it unprofessional to take time off anyway?

Research suggests that you should find out about their vacation policies and office culture as you enter a job. If it doesn’t suit your lifestyle, it could be a potential threat later. But either way, there’s no harm in asking your boss for an extra couple of days off. In fact, in a survey done by popular finance website Money.com, they found that 24.6% of workers reported that they didn’t ask for any extra time — and later regretted it. It would be best to convince them why it is essential to you and how you plan on making up for them. It’s important not to get worked up if the conversation isn’t going your way. Calmly explaining your predicament to your bosses helps them relate to you and consider your request.