Updated September 2026: in 2020, after reaching my hometown for a long vacation, I had two days of working from home. The morning was quiet, then my manager messaged with a large new piece of work. I was angry and delayed replying. I have rewritten it into advice on responding when new work arrives just before leave.
I hoped the two remote days before my leave would be quiet. Until late morning, my inbox was silent. Then my manager messaged about new work, apparently large. I was furious and did not want to reply. Eventually, after a long delay, I had to respond.
Why does delaying a reply backfire?
Because silence leaves the manager assuming you have accepted the work, or that you are not working. Either way, you lose the chance to shape what is expected before you leave. A prompt, clear reply gives you more control.
How should you reply?
- Acknowledge quickly, even before you know the details.
- State your leave dates and the days you have left.
- Offer what you can realistically do, such as the first part or a plan.
- Suggest who can take it on during your leave.
How do you judge what you can finish?
Ask for the deliverable and deadline. Break it into parts, estimate each and pick what fits into your remaining days without evenings. Share that split with your manager for agreement.
What if your manager insists on more?
Ask directly whether your leave should be moved, and let them decide. Most managers respect approved leave when the choice is put clearly.
How do you hand over cleanly?
A short note: what is done, what remains, where files are and who to contact. Send it on your last day.
Should you start the work at all?
Usually yes, for the parts that make handover easier: reading the brief, setting up the files, listing open questions and drafting the structure. That setup is valuable to whoever continues, and it shows goodwill without committing your leave.
How do you manage the frustration?
Recognise that new work arriving before leave is common and rarely personal. A clear reply turns frustration into a plan.
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