Updated September 2026: in 2020 I reached my hometown early because of the pandemic and had to work from home for a few days before a long vacation, anxious that my manager would pile on work if he saw I was free. I have rewritten it into advice for the last working days before a long leave.
I logged in from home anxious about new work. There were no new emails from onsite, which was a relief. I spent the day browsing, still uneasy, because I feared my manager would give me unnecessary work if he knew I was free, and would try to get as much done as possible before my leave.
Should you hide spare capacity before leave?
It is tempting, but it rarely helps. Managers usually learn you were free, and it can look worse than being open. Better to use the time on things that make your leave go smoothly.
What should you do in the last days before a long leave?
- Close or hand over open work, with a short note for each item.
- Update shared files so others can find the latest versions.
- Tell stakeholders your dates and who covers for you.
- Set your out-of-office with one clear contact.
How do you respond if new work arrives?
Take on only what you can finish before you go, and say so plainly. "I can finish the first draft by Thursday; after that, Ravi will take it forward." Managers usually accept a clear plan.
How do you work from home well for a few days?
Set up a quiet space, keep your usual hours and stay responsive on chat. Brief, regular updates show you are working, which removes any worry about being idle.
How do you manage anxiety about your manager?
Focus on what you can control: finishing and handing over well. A good handover is the best protection against being called during leave.
What should you do on the last day?
Send a short summary to your manager: what is done, what is handed over and to whom. Then log off properly.
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