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Asking your manager for a day off, in French
Ask for a day off in French by message: give the date, a short reason, how your work is covered, and confirm the request formally.
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In short
Ask clearly with the conditional (Est-ce que je pourrais poser un jour de congé le 12 ?), give a brief reason if you like, show your work is covered (j'aurai terminé le dossier X) and confirm in the official system (je fais la demande sur l'outil RH).
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- Bonjour Nadia, est-ce que je pourrais poser un jour de congé vendredi 12 ?Hi Nadia, could I take a day off on Friday the 12th?
- Bonjour ! Pour quelle raison, si ce n'est pas indiscret ?Hi! What for, if you don't mind me asking?
Give a short reason
- Ok, pas de souci. Et le rapport client ?OK, no problem. And the client report?
Show it's covered
- Parfait, fais la demande sur l'outil RH et je valide.Perfect, submit the request on the HR tool and I'll approve it.
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Phrases from the conversation
| French | English |
|---|---|
| poser un jour de congé | to book a day off |
| si ce n'est pas indiscret | if you don't mind me asking |
| un déménagement | a house move |
| Je l'aurai terminé. | I'll have finished it. |
| l'outil RH | the HR system |
| valider | to approve |
In France, employees have five weeks of paid leave (les congés payés), often plus RTT days. You pose a day off (poser un congé), and your manager valide it. Giving a reason is optional; pour raisons personnelles is perfectly acceptable.
- Je veux prendre vendredi.Est-ce que je pourrais poser un jour de congé vendredi ?
The conditional is more polite.
- Je l'aurais fini jeudi.Je l'aurai fini jeudi.
Futur antérieur: aurai, not conditional aurais.