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Out of Office Process & Best Practices

Reference this article to understand and stick to our best practices before you take time off!

Makenna Johnson avatar
Written by Makenna Johnson
Updated over 4 months ago

Process Owner: Makenna Johnson

Last Updated: December 2024

SOP Linked: HERE

Notice Needed for Time Off


For Manager Approval

  • Notify two weeks in advance for 1-2 days OOO

  • Notify three weeks in advance for 3 days OOO

  • Notify 1-month in advance for 5-7 days OOO

  • Notify 2 months in advance for 7+ days OOO

*There may be some instances for heavy travel quarters where there will be a mandatory deadline for any vacation longer than a week to be submitted

Getting Approval


  • Flag the Date(s) You Will be OOO to Your Manager via Slack or in a weekly 1:1 for Approval

  • After Approval: Request Time Off in your HRIS system (this step is mandatory).

    • In addition, directly slack your Account Managers + Account Directors the dates you will be out.

HRIS System

Steps After Approval

ADP

Log into ADP Select “Myself” Select “My Time Off” Click “Request time off” button and enter the dates

Aleluya

Log into Aleluya Select “Solicitar tiempo fuera” Fill in the information about your OOO time Add a screenshot with your manager's approval

Deel for the Philippines

Submit through this form

  • Please submit the time off through the form above as soon as it is approved so we can keep our records up to date.

  • Charlou Pepito will slack you to confirm your submission, as well as how much total time off you have remaining.

Deel for Global Independent Contractors

You are able to request time off via the Deel portal for your manager’s approval. See this article. Please note, you are paid at a “Fixed Rate”, so you will be able to request Paid Time Off.

Calendar Management


  • After Approval: Block Your Calendar as “OOO” for the Day(s) You Are Out

  • Within Google Calendars, please add Out of Office to the calendar starting for each day you are out of the office. This is to block your own calendar.

  • Next, Add an Event labeled as ‘NAME OOO’ all day for each day you are out. Be sure the invite is set to ‘Free’ not busy.

    • Link OOO plan into event description.

    • You must add AD + AMs on all accounts to this event.

    • Please also add your manager, Managing Director, dept. leader, direct reports (if applicable), and anyone else you interact with often.

Notifying in Slack


  • After Approval: Notify Appropriate Teams By Posting in Internal Account Slack Channels

  • It is critical to let your account teams know you will be OOO more than once.

  • As soon as your time off is approved, notify account teams by posting a message in each of your internal account slack channels & tag the Account Manager + Account Director.

  • Please send a reminder to these same channels 2 days before your time off linking your OOO plan in these messages.

Creating an OOO Plan


  • If You Are Out of Office 3+ Days, You Need to Create an OOO Coverage Plan (Note: You do not need an OOO Plan if you are only out 1-2 days)

  • Make a copy of the OOO Plan TEMPLATE & customize

    • Ask the team members before assuming someone can cover for you.

    • Make sure anyone at Power Digital can view the document.

    • Be sure to send ownership of any meetings you have while you are away to the correct coverage person.

  • Review your OOO Plan LIVE with your manager at least one-week prior to being OOO. In this meeting your manager will approve that the plan is sufficient.

  • Provide a 15-minute sync or Loom video to those team members who are covering for you & share your OOO plan for reference with your whole department.

    • All Coverage Requirements:

      • Make sure they are added to the weekly call (if needed)

      • Task out the weekly report & any other actions in Asana

      • Client needs to be notified about OOO – See example:

        1. If you are a strategist/AM be sure to tell the client who your coverage is by tagging them in the slack message.

        2. Be sure to send 2-3 business days before you are off.

  • Each coverage person is responsible for outlining a recap of what you missed & tasking it to you in asana to review once you return.

Administrative Preparation in Slack and Email


  • The Day Before You Are OOO, Update Your Slack Display Name

  • Within Slack, click the profile icon on the top right-hand side → then select “Edit Profile” → update Display Name to “Name - OOO Date(s)”

  • The Day Before You Are OOO, Set An Automated Email Response

  • Within Gmail - Go to settings → Vacation Responder section → Set the 1st day & last day you are OOO → insert subject line & message

  • Make sure you select “Vacation Responder ON” & Click “Save Changes”

Example OOO Email Message:

Hi there,

Thank you for your message! I'm currently out of the office INSERT DAY (INSERT DATE), with very little service.

I'll be back in the office on INSERT DATE and will reply as soon as I'm able. For urgent matters, please reach out to INSERT COVERAGE PERSON (INSERT EMAIL) and they can assist you.

Thanks,

Relax, Unplug & Enjoy Your Time OOO 😎

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