my $sth = $dbh->prepare(
                    " 
        INSERT requests ( emp_name, emp_email, emp_title, mngr_name, mngr_email, date_requested, req_status, date_submitted, approved_by ) 
    VALUES ( '$login_name', '$login_email', '$login_title', '$login_mngr_name', '$login_mngr_email', '$date', 'Pending', '$req_date', '' )
                    "
                        );