MyNordstrom Time Off Planning: Preparing for Days Away From Work

Taking a few days away from work sounds simple until the dates collide with a busy weekend, a major sale, or another commitment you forgot was already on the calendar.

For Nordstrom team members, planning ahead can make time away much easier to manage. MyNordstrom and the workplace resources provided for your location can help you keep track of relevant information and upcoming plans.

Choose the Exact Dates First

Before making a request, decide exactly which days you need.

Write down:

• First day away
• Last day away
• Expected return date
• Any partial days
• Existing commitments
• Travel dates, if relevant

This prevents a simple calendar mistake from becoming a scheduling problem later.

Look Beyond the Current Week

Retail schedules can vary considerably from one period to another.

Before planning time away, think about what’s happening around those dates.

This might include:

• Holidays
• Promotional periods
• Busy weekends
• Inventory activity
• Department events
• Personal appointments

Planning earlier gives you a clearer picture.

Don’t Assume a Request Is Final

Submitting a request and having confirmed time away are not necessarily the same thing.

After taking the applicable step, keep track of its current status.

If additional action is required, handle it before making plans that are difficult to change.

Keep Your Own Calendar Updated

Once your dates are confirmed, add them to the calendar you actually use.

Include your expected return date too.

This is particularly useful when you requested the time several weeks or months in advance.

Check the Schedule When It’s Published

Even when you’ve planned ahead, review the applicable schedule once it becomes available.

Make sure the dates match what you expected.

If something looks different, investigate early rather than waiting until the day before you’re supposed to leave.

Think About Your Department

Time away doesn’t mean you need to manage the entire department before leaving.

Still, consider whether anything important will happen during your absence.

For example:

• Customer follow-ups
• Scheduled appointments
• Department projects
• Merchandise-related tasks
• Upcoming events
• Time-sensitive responsibilities

Handle what needs attention and leave useful context when appropriate.

Avoid the Giant Handoff

Not every unfinished task needs a detailed explanation.

Focus on items another person may actually need while you’re gone.

A short handoff might contain:

Customer follow-up: Expected Thursday.

Department task: Materials already prepared.

Upcoming appointment: Friday afternoon.

Clear and short is usually better than several pages of notes.

What If Your Plans Change?

Trips get cancelled.

Appointments move.

Sometimes you need an additional day.

If your previously planned dates change, review the current Nordstrom procedure rather than assuming the original request automatically adjusts.

Update applicable information as early as possible.

Prepare for Your First Day Back

Returning after several days away can feel like walking into the middle of a conversation.

Before leaving, make a short note of what you’ll need to check when you return.

For example:

• Current schedule
• Department updates
• Customer follow-ups
• New announcements
• Upcoming events

This gives you a starting point.

Don’t Depend on an Old Screenshot

A screenshot of your schedule can be useful for reference, but schedules and workplace information can change.

Before your time away begins, check the current information available to you.

Don’t rely entirely on something you saved weeks earlier.

Keep Personal Details Personal

You generally don’t need to explain every detail of your personal plans to coworkers.

Provide the information required through the appropriate workplace process.

Your team usually needs to understand your availability, not your entire itinerary.

Plan Earlier Around Busy Retail Periods

Retail has periods when scheduling can become particularly important.

If you’re considering time away around:

• Major holidays
• Seasonal events
• High-traffic weekends
• Important store periods

review the applicable requirements earlier than you normally would.

Don’t assume the process or availability will be identical throughout the year.

Common Time Off Planning Mistakes

Waiting Too Long

Important dates are already approaching.

Confusing Requested With Confirmed

Plans are made before the current status is understood.

Forgetting the Return Date

Your personal calendar is incomplete.

Ignoring the Published Schedule

A discrepancy isn’t noticed until the last minute.

Leaving Too Much Unfinished

Coworkers have no context for time-sensitive responsibilities.

Using an Old Screenshot

Current information isn’t reviewed.

Before Your Time Away

Check:

• Exact dates
• Expected return date
• Current request status
• Published schedule when available
• Important department responsibilities
• Customer follow-ups
• Personal calendar
• Any recent changes to your plans

Make Time Away Actually Feel Like Time Away

Good planning doesn’t require turning a few days off into a project.

Choose your dates carefully.

Follow the current process.

Check the schedule.

Handle the few responsibilities that genuinely need attention.

Then leave work in a state where you don’t need to spend your entire time away wondering what you forgot.

For Nordstrom team members, MyNordstrom and current store-specific resources can be useful reference points when planning upcoming time away.