How To Ask Your Boss To Sign A Document – A Complete Guideline

Written By Aleena

Signing a document may not seem like a big deal, but if you need your boss’s signature, it can be a bit of a hassle. Here are a few tips for asking your boss to sign a document.

Although it may seem small, asking your boss to sign a document requires some essential steps.

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:

The first step is ensuring the document is ready to be signed. This means that all the content is final, and there are no errors.

If any changes need to be made, it’s best to make them before you ask your boss to sign.

Any mistakes - How To Ask Your Boss To Sign A Document

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

Some common errors to check for include:

– Incorrect company name or address

– Incorrect dates

– Typos

Proofread the document carefully or have someone else do it for you. Once the paper is error-free, you can proceed to the next step.

2. Understand What The Document Entails:

The second step is to understand what exactly the document is and what it means.

If you’re unsure about something, ask a colleague or your boss for clarification.

You must know what you’re asking your boss to sign. For example, if it’s a contract, you should know the details of the contract.

Such as what is being agreed upon and what the consequences are if either party doesn’t uphold their end of the deal.

If there’s something in the document that you’re not comfortable with, now is the time to speak up.

Once your boss signs the document, it may be challenging to make changes.

3. Make Sure Your Boss Is Available:

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

You don’t want to ask them when they’re in the middle of a meeting or on their way out the door.

Pick a time when you know theyre free and you don’t disturb them. If you can, try to catch them at the beginning or end of the day.

Or you can ask their assistant when would be an excellent time to speak with them.

4. Ask Them To Sign The Document:

Now it’s time to ask your boss to sign the document. When you do, make sure you’re polite and professional.

Start by explaining what the document is and why you need their signature.

Then, please give them a brief overview of what the document entails. If there are any critical points that you think they should know, mention them as well.

Once you’ve explained everything, ask them if they’re able to sign it. Suppose they say yes, great! If not, try to find a time that works for both of you.

5. Follow Up:

The final step is to follow up with your boss after they’ve signed the document.

Thank them for their time and let them know that you appreciate it.

Polite & professional - How To Ask Your Boss To Sign A Document

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

And that’s it! As long as you follow these steps, asking your boss to sign a document should be a breeze.

However, keep in mind that every boss is different. Some may be more willing to sign things than others.

But as long as you’re polite and professional, you should be able to get their signature with no problem.

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.

 The document

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:

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

“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

You should avoid a few things when asking your boss to sign a document.

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.

Boss is busy

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:

When you’re asking your boss to sign a document, don’t ask for too much.

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

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

Don’t overwhelm them with too many requests.

6. Not Being Respectful:

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

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

And it means not raising your voice or losing your temper if they say no.

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

7. Not Following Up:

Without a follow-up, your request might fall through the cracks. So make sure you 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 that 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 also 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 be sure to get your boss to sign the document.

Last Updated on 8 months by Aleena

Aleena

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