Staff members must submit time off requests at least two weeks prior to the requested date(s) unless an unexpected need for urgent time off arises. Requests must be submitted via the Time Off Request Google Form.

Prior to submitting the request, the staff member must take the following actions:

1. Identify tasks and projects that will require attention in their absence. Front desk staff are requested to determine if there will be other staff members present in their office for the duration of their absence. 
2. Identify staff members capable of tending to these tasks and projects in their absence.
3. Request and confirm coverage for tasks and projects.
4. Add a bullet point to the upcoming staff meeting agenda and be prepared to present the details above.

Time off requests will be approved by leadership during the staff meeting. Once approved, the staff member must take the following actions:

1. Add an all-day calendar event to the SSIR Vacation Calendar for each day of leave taken. In the event details, the staff member should include who is covering their task and projects.
2. Schedule a vacation responder in Gmail. The message should communicate who is covering the staff member's tasks and projects in their absence with contact information, as well as when the team member can be expected to return.

Approved time off will be added to QuickBooks Time on behalf of the staff member. If less paid time off is used than originally approved, it is the staff member's responsibility to log in to QuickBooks Time and adjust the entry by the Friday prior to the next scheduled payday. If more time off is required than originally approved or dates change altogether, a new request must be submitted via the Time Off Request Google Form and re-approved by leadership at the next staff meeting.

With exception to need for urgent time off, staff members are expected to observe the following blackout dates:

1. The week before and week of Blueprint strategic planning event.
2. The week of the Sotheby's International Realty Global Networking Event, dates TBD.
3. The week of the Sotheby's International Realty Leadership Forum, dates TBD.

Unused paid time off does not accrue.

For appointments, every effort should be made to schedule around company meetings and events, and opposite days and times the staff member anticipates being most busy.