Planning time off early helps you actually take it, get the dates you want and avoid losing days at year end.
1. Know your numbers
Find your yearly allowance for vacation, sick and personal time, how it accrues (upfront or monthly), and any 2026 carryover. Your employee handbook or HR portal has the rules.
2. Pair days off with holidays
Taking days next to a weekend or holiday stretches your time off. Check your employer's 2027 holiday list.
3. Spread it out
A few long weekends through the year can help you rest more often than one big trip.
4. Request early and track it
Log each request with first and last day, hours and whether it is planned or taken. Count only workdays.
5. Check before year end
In the fall, see what is left and whether it carries over. Use-it-or-lose-it days are worth planning in advance.
Checklist
- ☐ Allowance and accrual rules
- ☐ 2026 carryover
- ☐ 2027 company holidays
- ☐ Long weekends picked
- ☐ Requests logged
- ☐ Balance checked quarterly
- ☐ Year-end plan for unused days
This is a planning tool, not HR or legal advice. Your employer's rules decide.