1. You were not as qualified as the other applicants.

This is very harsh and direct. You could say, we were impressed with your application, but unfortunately, we can not accept your application this year.

1. I won't stay late to do that assignment.

This is a rude way of saying, I am sorry, but tonight I have a lot of things on my plate, but I can get back to it tomorrow.

1. Parking fees have increased this year.

This seems this way of saying bad news without giving any follow-up information. I would have said that, due to rising city water bills and road costs, parking fees had to be increased.

1. We will not authorize any more vacation requests for the month of July.

This is very direct and seems to have zero wiggle room. I would have said, because July is our busiest month, there will be no more vacation days given out, but I will make it up to you at some other point in the year.

1. Employees are not allowed to telework on Mondays and Fridays.

This is very inflexible and rigid for those who might need to have those days done online. There will be a formal sign-up sheet every week with the same number of slots per day, so that the employees can plan out their week in advance.

1. You are dressed inappropriately for the office.

This is rude, as they may not have realized it was inappropriate. I would have said your attire is not in compliance with the guidelines put in place by our office dress code.

My boss is impacted because I was supposed to be there,e but instead I got sick, so now I need to allow my boss to find a replacement for me as soon as possible.

My boss needs to be made aware that I will be out sick and when he can expect me back at the office.

I would want to be described as disciplined, proactive, and dedicated.

I want to be honest and upfront. I want to inform the boss that night so they have as much time as possible to replace me.

The outcome I want to achieve would be a quick email apologizing and informing my boss that I will be unable to come in due to being sick, so that the meeting can still go as planned, just with someone else setting it up instead.