This is an imaginary scenario you need to let me know that the report you are responsible for is delayed. You will ask me for an extension of time to submit the report. The report is a summary of employees attitudes toward implementing flex time hours.

Your Task: Write a short email

1. Tell me what happened to delay the report being submitted on time. For the purpose of this scenario lets say that the person who was analyzing the data had a family emergency and has been out of the office. In fact you do not know when s/he will be back. What other facts or data do I need to know to feel persuaded to grant the extension or how will you fix the situation? (Lets face it, I am going to have to give you some type of extension. The report is due and you dont have it. What you are trying to achieve here is agreement on a reasonable and logical time frame and so that ultimately I will not feel that you have not properly done your job).
2. What are you proposing as a solution? When do you propose submitting the report by (lets pretend the assignment is due at 8:00 am on Monday, June 10 based on your reasons for the report being delayed, what is a logical extension? Do keep in mind that I need this information in order to come to a decision about flex time hours).
3. What is the benefit to me for granting the extension? You can acknowledge that this is an inconvenience to me but what is the benefit in granting the extension?
4. What channel of communication should I use to let you know my answer?