How To Ask Your Boss To Sign A Document In 5 Easy Steps

Getting your boss’s signature on a paper might seem small, but here are a few tips for asking your boss to sign a document.

Here’s how to handle it without any bumps.

Key Takeaways

• Ensure it’s error-free and ready for signature, especially for contracts.
• Know its contents and implications before approaching your boss.
• Find a quiet moment when your boss is available and not busy.
• Explain the document’s purpose and request the signature respectfully.
• Thank your boss after signing and update them on any next steps.
• Use a polite script to ask for their signature, and be flexible if they’re busy.
• Stay prepared, know the details, and always follow up to ensure completion.

5 Steps To Ask Your Boss To Sign A Document

You’ll need to take the following steps when asking your boss to sign a document:

1. Ensure The Document Is Ready:

Before asking your boss to sign, ensure the document is final and error-free.

If your boss is signing a contract, you wouldn’t want any mistakes in it.

Check for common mistakes like

– Incorrect company details

– Dates

– Typos.

Proofread the document carefully, or have someone else do it for you.

2. Understand What The Document Entails:

Read the document and consider its meaning. If something is confusing, ask your coworker or boss for help.

Ensure you understand everything you want your boss to sign, especially contracts.

Every detail is important, like what’s agreed on and what happens if someone breaks the rules.

Speak up right away if anything worries you. Once it’s signed, it’s tough to change it.

3. Make Sure Your Boss Is Available:

The next step is ensuring your boss has time to sign the document.

Avoid interrupting during meetings or when they’re leaving. Choose a quiet moment, ideally early or late in the day.

Check with their assistant for the best time to approach them.

4. Ask Them To Sign The Document:

Now, ask your boss to sign the document politely and professionally. Begin by explaining its purpose and why its signature is needed.

Give a brief overview of its contents, highlighting any important details. After explaining, inquire if they can sign it now.

If they agree, great! If not, suggest finding a suitable time for both of you.

5. Follow Up:

After your boss signs the document, follow up promptly. Thank them for their time and express your appreciation.

If there are further steps, like sending the document elsewhere, inform them.

Following these steps should make requesting your boss’s signature straightforward.

Asking Your Boss To Sign The Document – Sample Script

Here’s a sample script that you can use when asking your boss to sign a document:

“Hi boss, I hope you’re doing well. I have a document here that I need you to sign.

It’s just a quick formality. Would it be a good time for you to look at it?”

Or,

“Hi boss, thanks for taking time out for me. I have a document here that I need you to sign.

It shouldn’t take more than a minute or two. Would you be able to do it now?”

If Boss Is Busy:

If your boss is busy, you can say: “No problem. When would be a better time for you?”

Or, “No worries. I’ll come back later.”

Be flexible and try to find a time that works for both of you.

Explain The Details Of The Contract:

Before asking your boss to sign a contract, you should explain the details of the contract.

“This contract is for the XYZ project. It outlines the scope of work, timeline, and deliverables.

It also outlines the payment terms and what happens if either party doesn’t uphold their end of the deal.”

Or “This contract is for the XYZ project. It has all the project details, including the timeline, deliverables, and payment terms.

If you have any questions, I’d be happy to answer them.”

Once you’ve explained the contract details, ask, “Can you sign this for me?”

If There Are Any Key Points:

If there are any critical points that you think your boss should know, make sure to mention those as well.

“There are a few key points I think you should know before signing.

First, we’re asking for a 50% deposit upfront. Second, the project will be delivered in two phases.

And finally, we have a clause that allows us to terminate the contract if either party isn’t upholding their end of the deal.”

You can change the key points to fit your specific situation.

Thank Them For Their Time:

Once your boss has signed the document, thank them for their time.

“Thanks for taking the time to sign this. I appreciate it.”

Or “Thanks for signing this. I’ll get it sent off right away.”

If There Are Any Next Steps:

Let them know if there are any next steps, such as sending the document off to someone else.

“I’ll get this sent off to XYZ right away. Thanks again for your time.”

Or “I’ll drop this off at the post office on my way home. Thanks for signing it.”

What To Avoid When Asking Your Boss To Sign A Document

Avoiding a few things when asking your boss to sign a document would be best.

1. Going Without A Plan:

Asking your boss to sign a document without a plan is a recipe for disaster.

You should always know what you’re going to say and how you’re going to say it.

Because if you don’t, you run the risk of sounding unprepared and unprofessional.

Your boss might not take you seriously and may not want to sign the document.

2. Waffling On Your Request:

If you’re unsure what you’re asking your boss to sign, don’t ask them to sign it.

It’s always better to err on the side of caution. Be confident in your request when you ask your boss to sign a document.

Don’t waffle or hem and haw. Be direct and to the point. Because if you’re not, your boss might think you’re trying to hide something.

3. Not Being Flexible:

If your boss is busy, don’t try to force them to sign the document right then and there.

Be flexible and try to find a time that works for both of you. You can say something like, “No problem. When would be a better time for you?”

Or you can say, “No worries. I’ll come back later.”

4. Not Knowing The Details:

Before you ask your boss to sign a contract, you should know the details of the contract.

You don’t need to memorize the contract, but you should at least know the basics.

That way, if your boss asks you any questions, you’ll be able to answer them.

Your boss might ask, “What’s this clause mean?” Or, “What happens if we don’t uphold our end of the deal?”

If you don’t know the answer to those questions, your boss might not want to sign the contract.

5. Asking For Too Much:

Don’t ask for too much When you ask your boss to sign a document.

For example, please don’t ask them to sign a document that’s 50 pages long. They won’t want to read through all of that.

Instead, focus on one specific document. If you have several documents to sign, ask them to sign one at a time.

6. Not Being Respectful:

When you ask your boss to sign a document, ensure you’re respectful.

That means using please and thank you. It also means not interrupting them or talking over them.

Your boss might not want to sign the document if you’re disrespectful.

7. Not Following Up:

Without a follow-up, your request might fall through the cracks. So follow up with your boss after you’ve asked them to sign the document.

You can send them a reminder email or stop by their office to chat with them.

If you don’t follow up, your boss might forget you asked them to sign the document.

Reminder Email:

In the email, include the document’s name and a link to where they can find it.

You can attach the document to the email if it’s not too big. And don’t forget to say please and thank you. Here’s an example:

Subject: Signature Request for Employee Handbook

“Hi, Boss,

This is just a reminder email to follow up on our conversation from earlier.

I asked you to sign the Employee Handbook so that we can get started with the new hiring.

Thanks,

Your Name”

Conclusion:

Asking your boss to sign a document doesn’t have to be very hard. Follow these simple tips, and you’ll surely get the signature you need.

Remember to be confident, respectful, and flexible. And don’t forget to follow up.

If you do all those things, you’ll get your boss to sign the document.

Last Updated on 8 months by Usama Ali