SOURCE:    Vacation Tracker
TITLE:     Approver Training 8: Set Leave Rules for Your Team With Automations (Google Workspace)
URL:       https://vacationtracker.io/knowledge-base/approver-training-google-workspace-set-leave-rules-for-your-team-with-automations/
LANG:      en
PUBLISHED: 2026-10-23
UPDATED:   2026-10-23
READING:   2 min
SUMMARY:   Set automations such as blackout dates, probation, maximum users away, leave duration limits and notice periods for your Departments.

# Approver Training 8: Set Leave Rules for Your Team With Automations (Google Workspace)

# Approver Training 8: Set Leave Rules for Your Team With Automations (Google Workspace)

Automations set rules for leave requests in your Departments, so you don't have to check each one by hand.

## Pick an Automation

- Blackout: block leave on dates your team can't be away.

- Probation: stop new people from requesting leave for a set time.

- Maximum Users Away: limit how many people can be off at once.

- Leave Duration Limit: set a minimum and maximum length for leave.

- Notice Period: require longer leave requests to be submitted a set number of days in advance.

## Create It

- In the left-hand menu, click Add-ons.

- Click the card for the automation you need. Each card shows its status: Active, Setup required or Inactive.

- Click Create automation or Create policy. The button name depends on the add-on, for example Create automation for Blackout Period and Probation Period, and Create policy for Maximum Users Away and Leave Duration Limit.

- Fill in the rule, for example the dates or the limit.

- Under Filter by Department, choose the Departments it applies to. You'll see only the Departments you approve for.

- Click Create.

![Add-ons page showing the automations available to Approvers](https://cms.vacationtracker.io/uploads/approver_training_email_only_set_leave_rules_for_your_team_with_automations_1_7a7389c8c3_431175ce9e.png)

![Automation form with the rule and Filter by Department](https://cms.vacationtracker.io/uploads/approver_training_email_only_set_leave_rules_for_your_team_with_automations_2_27652e56a7_1ecd185f31.png)

If a card is marked Inactive, the add-on isn't turned on for your workspace yet. Clicking it shows Only Admins Can Enable This Add-On. Ask your Administrator to turn it on.

## Check It Worked

The automation is listed under Add-ons, and it applies to new requests from people in the Departments you chose.

## Common Questions

Can I apply an automation to other Departments?No. You can only choose the Departments you approve for. Ask your Administrator for anything wider.

### What's Next?

Approver Training 0: What You Do as an Approver (Google Workspace) (https://vacationtracker.io/knowledge-base/approver-training-google-workspace-what-you-do-as-an-approver/)
Guide: What Automations does Vacation Tracker offer? (https://vacationtracker.io/knowledge-base/guide-what-automations-does-vacation-tracker-offer/)
Guide: Administrator vs Location Admin vs Approver vs User (https://vacationtracker.io/knowledge-base/guide-administrator-vs-location-admin-vs-approver-vs-user/)

Need help?

Contact our Support team via email (mailto:hello@vacationtracker.io) or chat (#), Monday to Friday, 9 AM – 5 PM EST.