Action Request:

Hi Simran,

I was wondering if you would be able to take my shift at Tim Hortons on Saturday morning. I am scheduled to work at 6:00 am until 1:00 pm. I forgot to book the day off and will be attending my friends wedding and am not able to work and get to the wedding on time.

Please let me know if you can cover my shift as soon as possible.

Thanks,

Jasmine

Questions:

1. Provide one possible Buffer (appreciation, good news, common ground, compliment)
2. Provide one reasonable/meaningful explanation
3. Say 'NO' - Be sensitive in your delivery and try using the passive voice, or implying the bad news, or putting the bad news in a longer sentence
4. Provide one possible alternative or suggestion