You are welcome and encouraged to take vacation when and where you need it. If you are not taking any vacation time, I may recommend you, at least, take a stay-cation to allow a brain reset.

My main ask: please make sure your time off is logged so people know when you’re unavailable (and so I don’t message you while you’re out).

<aside> 💡 Typically, students take 3-4 weeks of vacation a year.

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Why Taking Vacation Time Could Save Your Life

How to request time off

We track vacation and leave using the Vacation Tracker app in Slack.

1. In Slack, type /vacation
2. Select your leave type, start date, and end date (reason optional)
3. Click Send request
4. I’ll approve it in Slack, and it will be stored automatically for reference

Slack status (important)

The app can automatically set your Slack status to “Out of Office” during your approved time off and clear it when you return.

The first time you submit a request, click “Enable” when prompted so the status automation works.

Sick days

If you’re sick, please stay home and focus on getting better.

• If you feel up to light work, optional low-lift tasks can be: reading papers, writing, or planning.
• If you’re not up to it, fully log off — that’s okay.

Please log sick time through /vacation (specify Sick) so others know you’re out.

Notice guidelines

These are guidelines, not bureaucracy — the goal is to reduce surprises and keep projects moving.

Short time off / long weekends (under 1 week)