SOURCE:    Vacation Tracker
TITLE:     Approver Training 1: Approve or Deny Leave Requests in Slack
URL:       https://vacationtracker.io/knowledge-base/approver-training-approve-or-deny-leave-requests-in-slack/
LANG:      en
PUBLISHED: 2026-10-23
UPDATED:   2026-10-23
READING:   2 min
SUMMARY:   Leave requests reach you as a Slack message from the Vacation Tracker app. See what it shows and how to approve or deny right there.
Approver Training 1: Approve or Deny Leave Requests in Slack
Back to Training
English

Vacation Tracker Training

Step-by-step lessons for your role, in the tool your team uses. No HR background needed.

Slack Microsoft Teams Google Email

Last updated on October 23, 2026

Approver Training 1: Approve or Deny Leave Requests in Slack

When someone in your Department requests leave, the Vacation Tracker app sends you a direct message in Slack. You can answer right there.

What the Message Shows

The message starts with Hello, @Name has submitted the following leave request: and shows:

  • Whether anyone else from the Department is away on those dates.
  • Leave type, Date(s) and Reason.
  • How much leave is requested and how much is left for the current year.
  • Open Calendar: opens the dashboard Calendar for that Department and those dates.
Vacation Tracker app message in Slack with Approve, Deny and Deny with Reason buttons

Answer the Request

  1. In Slack, open the Vacation Tracker app from your direct messages.
  2. Check the dates, the balance and who else is away.
  3. Click Approve or Deny. Both act straight away.
  4. To explain a decision, click Deny with Reason, type in Reason for denying and click Deny.
Reason for denying box in Slack with Close and Deny

After You Answer

  • The message updates to show who answered, for example "@Name has approved the request, no further action is required."
  • The updated message moves to the bottom of the chat.
  • Slack and the dashboard stay in sync. If you answer in the dashboard, the Slack message updates too.
  • You also get a message when someone adds leave for a person on your team.
  • If you haven't answered, you get up to three reminders. Snooze on a reminder holds it back for a short time.
Updated Slack message showing who approved the request

Check It Worked

The Slack message shows your answer, and the request is no longer under Waiting on you on your Home page in the dashboard.

Common Questions

No. Deny acts straight away. Use Deny with Reason when you want to tell the person why.

It depends on how your Administrator set up your Department. The request either stays open, or it expires after 7 working days or when the leave end date passes.

Type /vacation to request your own leave, check your status, see who's away or open the dashboard.

What's Next?

Approver Training 2: Approve or Deny Leave Requests in the Dashboard (Slack) Approver Training 5: Check Who's Off Before You Approve (Slack) Approver Training 0: What You Do as an Approver (Slack)
Need help?
Contact our Support team via email or chat, Monday to Friday, 9 AM – 5 PM EST.

Was this article helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

On this page

Still have questions? Let us show you how Vacation Tracker can help.