# How to remind your boss about vacation time

> A timeline for telling your manager you're taking PTO, from months ahead to the day you leave.
- Title: How to remind your boss about vacation time · WIRED | Shortify
- Summary: A timeline for telling your manager you're taking PTO, from months ahead to the day you leave.
- Keywords: paid time off, workplace communication, manager relations, time management, WIRED
- Source: WIRED — https://wired.com/story/how-to-remind-your-boss-about-your-vacation
- Author: Jill Duffy
- Published: 2026-11-08T11:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: paid time off, workplace communication, manager relations, time management
## The problem: bosses forget
Managers often forget about your paid time off even when you told them. What matters to you may not register as important to your boss. Overcommunication is the solution.

> We're all better off when we overcommunicate by saying the same thing two or three times.
## Four to six weeks before
Request time off four to six weeks in advance. Log it into your organization's time-off system or email your boss with a clear subject line. Get written approval.
## Two weeks out: speak up
Remind your boss and colleagues verbally in meetings. Mention it at the end of your weekly one-on-one with your manager and in team meetings after pressing business is done.
## One week out: write it down
Email or message clients and other departments a week before you leave. Use email, Slack, or Microsoft Teams depending on how you normally communicate with them.
## Two business days before
Send a formatted message to everyone who needs to know. Start with a bold sentence: I will be out beginning DATE. I will be back on DATE. Put coverage details in a separate paragraph.

> Just a reminder, I will be out beginning DATE. I will be back on DATE.
## The day you leave: set status
Set your status in Slack or Teams to show you are out. Add an emoji like a palm tree or airplane. Use the status message to tell everyone when you will be available again.
## First day off: final backup
For forgetful bosses, set up an automated message at eight thirty am on your first day off. Keep it brief, kind, and humorous. The goal is to be helpful, not make them feel bad.
## Key takeaway

Remind your boss of your PTO multiple times across different channels, starting weeks in advance and ending with a status update the day you leave.