Action Request:

Hi Samantha,

I was wondering if you would be able to take my shift at Sobeys on Tuesday evening. I am scheduled to work from 5:00 pm until 12:00 am. I did not book the day off and my parents surprised me with tickets to the theatre that night.

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

Thanks,

Armand

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