Good intentions aren’t a policy.
Why it matters at every size: one exception becomes the standard.
✅ 1–10 people: You move fast, but “I’ll allow it” can blur boundaries and strain relationships.
✅11–100 people: Managers start doing things differently, and “fairness” gets questioned.
✅101–1001 people: Inconsistency turns into complaints, turnover, and potential legal exposure.
Before you approve “just this once” (early release, extra PTO, schedule changes), ask:
- Would this be fair if everyone asked?
- Should this be written down as a simple rule?
(Yes/No): Did the holidays reveal something in your business that you want to fix in 2026?