I want to confess one mistake I made when I was still a young boss.

The kind of mistake that you only understand… after you hurt someone.

It was around Chinese New Year.

Back then, our office “naturally” slowed down. Many Chinese staff took leave.

So I made a decision.

I told my non-Chinese colleagues:
“Since office will be quiet, you take your annual leave early. Compulsory.”

No discussion.
No option.
Just… compulsory.

At that time, I thought I was being “OK”.

Close shop early.
Save cost.
Make planning easy.

But I forgot one simple thing:

Annual leave is not mine.
It belongs to the employee.

And honestly, when you force only one group of people to “clear leave” because it’s CNY season, it feels like:

“You are not part of the celebration, so you sacrifice for the celebration.”

That feeling is real.
Even if you don’t say it out loud.

Later, I learned more.

It was unlawful risk.
It was unethical.
And it was bad leadership.

I am sorry for my past mistake.