Best practices can help employees make valid time off requests (getting them right the first time) and avoid time wasters like having to re-submit requests and later having them re-approved. The first efficiency gain in an automated time off request system are basic tools that give employees visibility into their current available balance, balance history, time off taken and future accruals. These help eliminate information requests to payroll or human resources. The second tool allows employees to validate their balance against certain balance and accrual rules when they submit a request. When the employee forms a time off request, a forecast can be run that shows him future available time off.  This forecast calculates future accruals through to the start date of the request less already approved/scheduled time off. In this way, the system is a "no excuses" system that provides the employee immediate access to what is time off is available and automatically shows him or her whether a future request is valid. The third tool allows supervisors to have a complete picture of future balances when they approve time off requests. When combined, one, two and three allow supervisors to be faced with far fewer invalid requests. Employees in turn can use their time off for the entire year more efficiently (never running out of time off when they might need it most). In sum, all of these automated time off and absence management tools allow for a robust and easy to use time off and absence management system.