> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.paypunch.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Time Off

> Request PTO, sick, or personal time and check your available balance.

PayPunch lets you request time off and see how much paid time you have available, so you
don't have to track it on paper or guess.

<Note>
  Time-off requests are available in the **PayPunch mobile app**. If you don't see time off
  on your device, your employer may handle it another way — check with your manager.
</Note>

## Types of time off

When you make a request, you choose one of these types:

| Type         | Use it for                      |
| ------------ | ------------------------------- |
| **PTO**      | Paid time off / vacation        |
| **Sick**     | Illness or medical appointments |
| **Personal** | Personal days                   |
| **Unpaid**   | Time away that isn't paid       |

## Request time off

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Time Off">
    Go to the time-off section in the app.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose the type">
    Pick PTO, Sick, Personal, or Unpaid.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Pick your dates">
    Choose the **start** and **end** date, and enter the number of **hours** you're
    requesting.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add a note (optional)">
    Briefly explain the request if it helps your manager.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Submit">
    Send it off. Your request starts as **Pending** and your manager or bookkeeper is
    notified to review it.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Frame />

### Request rules

<Warning>
  A few rules keep requests clean:

  * Your **start date can't be in the past** (today is fine).
  * The **end date must be on or after** the start date.
  * You can't have **two overlapping** requests — if you already have a pending or
    approved request for those dates, you'll need to adjust or cancel it first.
</Warning>

## Check your balance

Your time-off balance shows how much you have available, based on what you've earned and
already used:

* **PTO balance** and **PTO used**
* **Sick balance** and **Sick used**

<Note>
  If your balances show **0**, it usually means no time has been set up or accrued for you
  yet this year. Your bookkeeper manages how time off is earned — ask them if a balance
  looks wrong.
</Note>

## After you request

Once you submit, your request is **Pending** until reviewed. Your manager or bookkeeper
then **approves** or **rejects** it. You'll be able to see the status of each request in
the app.