How to Request Time Off in Smart Square HMH
Time off in Smart Square is a request, not a button that books your holiday — your manager approves it before it counts. This guide walks the request through, explains the statuses you will see, and covers the one situation time-off requests are not for.
Requesting time off, step by step
- Sign in to Smart Square (website or the Smart Square Go app) and open the time-off / requests area.
- Choose your dates — start and end — and check them twice. A wrong date is the most common self-inflicted problem.
- Pick the request type the system offers you (for example paid time off). The categories you see depend on your role and department.
- Add a note if your department expects one, then submit.
- Watch the status. Pending is not approved — your manager reviews requests, and staffing needs come first.
- Once approved, confirm the days show as time off in your schedule. That is when you can book the flights.
Not for calling out sick
Time-off requests are for planned leave. If you are sick today, do not rely on submitting a request and hoping someone sees it — follow your department's call-out procedure and phone your unit or manager the way you normally would. A request sitting unread in a queue does not excuse an absence.
How to get a “yes” more often
- Ask early. Holiday periods and school breaks fill up months out; the earliest fair requests usually win.
- Check the rota first. If your dates collide with a colleague's approved leave or a known busy period, expect a conversation.
- Short requests sail through. A single day around a quiet stretch is easier to approve than a long block at peak time.
- Follow up politely. If a request sits pending as the date nears, ask your manager — do not assume silence means yes.
If your request is denied
A denial is usually about staffing minimums, not about you: too many people already off, a period your unit cannot cover, or notice that came too late. Ask what would work instead — different dates often solve it. And for a single shift rather than a break, a shift swap with a colleague may get you the day without touching your leave balance at all.
Facts on this page last verified 26 October 2026 against the official portal.
Frequently asked questions
How do I request time off in Smart Square HMH?
Sign in, open the time-off / requests area, choose your dates and request type, and submit. Your manager reviews it — the days count as leave once the request is approved and shows in your schedule.
My request says pending — is my time off booked?
No. Pending means your manager has not decided yet. Do not book travel or make firm plans until the request is approved and the days show as time off in your schedule.
Can I use a time-off request to call out sick?
No. Time-off requests are for planned leave. If you are sick, follow your department's call-out procedure and phone your unit or manager — an unread request in a queue does not excuse an absence.
Why was my time off denied?
Usually staffing: too many colleagues already off, a period your unit cannot cover, or too little notice. Ask your manager what dates would work, or use a shift swap for a single day instead.
How far ahead should I request time off?
As early as you can. Popular periods fill months ahead, and earlier requests are generally easier to approve. For a single day, shorter notice often still works.