How to Push Back When PTO Boundaries
Are Ignored
You’ve worked hard for months, hit your professional development goals, and finally booked that much-needed PTO. You’ve set up your out-of-office email, delegated tasks, and made it clear you’ll be unavailable. Then, halfway through your trip, a Slack notification pops up:
“Quick question about a project…”
What do you do? Do you answer? Do you let it slide?
And most importantly, why do so many of us feel guilty about protecting the time we’ve earned? This blog isn’t just about saying “no.” It’s about how to set boundaries and build your workplace skills without guilt. By the end, you’ll walk away with actionable steps to protect your time while still showing up as the professional you are.
Your name isn’t Naomi. It’s Nkechi. You take a deep breath, deciding whether to let it slide or address it. For many professionals, this might feel like a minor slip-up. But for professionals who don’t have common “English names,” it’s often a reminder of how easy it is to feel unseen, even in spaces where we work hard to make ourselves known.
This time, I decided to address it. With a polite but firm smile, I turned around and said, “Actually, it’s Nkechi. I know it can be a bit unfamiliar, but I’d love for you to get it right.” My colleague’s face softened, a hint of embarrassment settling in as she processed my words. She apologized and made an effort to repeat my name correctly, clearly making a mental note to remember it in the future.
A small win, but a meaningful one.
This moment taught me that correcting others, especially around something as integral as your name, is not rude or confrontational—it’s empowering. It sends a message that you’re here, you belong, and you’re not going to let anyone shrink or misrepresent your identity.
Addressing name mispronunciations or mistakes is more than just about phonetics; it’s about respect. For Black professionals, this act can feel like a declaration of identity in spaces that sometimes overlook or “other” us. Next time someone gets your name wrong, remember: it’s okay to correct them, matter-of-fact and confidently. You’re not just helping yourself—you’re setting a precedent for everyone else who may face the same oversight.
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