You’ve worked hard for months, hit your professional development goals, and finally booked that much-needed PTO. You’ve set up your out-of-office email, delegated tasks, and made it clear you’ll be unavailable. Then, halfway through your trip, a Slack notification pops up:
“Quick question about a project…”
What do you do? Do you answer? Do you let it slide?
And most importantly, why do so many of us feel guilty about protecting the time we’ve earned? This blog isn’t just about saying “no.” It’s about how to set boundaries and build your workplace skills without guilt. By the end, you’ll walk away with actionable steps to protect your time while still showing up as the professional you are.
Let your manager and team know exactly when you’ll be unavailable and what coverage you’ve set up.
Example:
“I’ll be on PTO from [start date] to [end date]. I’ve delegated tasks to [name], who can handle urgent matters. Please direct all questions to them during this time.”
Set up an out-of-office message:
“Thank you for your email. I am currently on PTO and will not be checking emails until [return date]. For urgent matters, contact [delegate’s name] at [email]. I’ll respond to all other messages upon my return.”
What’s one thing you can delegate before your next PTO? What feels hardest to let go of?
Before moving on to step 2, remember that you have every right to NOT respond. Take time to understand your workplace culture and establish clear boundaries. Ideally, these boundaries should ensure that even if a critical stakeholder reaches out, they respect your time off. However, if you do need to respond, here’s a thoughtful approach.
Even with preparation, someone might still contact you. Here’s how to respond professionally:
To a Manager:
“Hi [Manager], I’m currently on PTO and unavailable. [Delegate’s name] has everything they need to assist. I’ll follow up on [date].”
To a Colleague:
“Hi [Name], thanks for reaching out. Since I’m on PTO, please connect with [delegate’s name], who’s handling this in my absence.”
If your boundaries weren’t respected during your PTO, don’t let it slide. Bring it up when you’re back to avoid future interruptions.
Example:
“During my PTO, I noticed a few tasks were redirected to me despite my delegation plan. I’d like to discuss how we can ensure smoother communication next time so the team feels fully supported.”
Taking PTO isn’t selfish—it’s part of developing your workplace skills and ensuring your professional development goals align with a sustainable and healthy career. When you take time off, you show your team the importance of setting boundaries and model what self-care looks like in a professional environment. Prioritizing rest allows you to recharge and return with focus, creativity, and a refreshed sense of leadership.
Before your next PTO, plan ahead. Practice drafting your delegation plan and out-of-office message, and rehearse how you’ll respond to interruptions. Simple scripts like, “Thanks for reaching out. I’m currently on PTO. Please connect with [delegate’s name] who is assisting in my absence,” can make maintaining your boundaries easier over time. Boundaries are a habit—and habits take practice.
Remember: Your time off is an investment in your success. Protect it fiercely. You—and your team—will be better for it.
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