Before You Leave Checklist - SKTS - Free Microcourse Companion

✉️ Email Side

Auto-reply drafted. No destination, no exact dates, no coworker's direct email, no "limited cell service" or "off the grid."

Start & end dates scheduled. Set it to turn on the morning you leave and OFF the morning you return — so you don't forget.

Internal vs. external messages set (Outlook only). Keep the external version shorter; share less.

Tested by emailing yourself from a personal address. The reply you see is what scammers see — make sure it's the one you want.

Delegation set up (if needed) — only for trusted staff, and put a calendar reminder on the day you return to revoke it.

📅 Calendar Side

Calendar blocked with "Out of office" event (not just "busy"). Only an OOO event auto-declines new invites.

Auto-decline for new invites turned on. Same screen as the OOO event. Two clicks.

Existing meetings during travel dates moved or canceled. The auto-decline only catches NEW invites.

👪 Team Side

Five-minute pre-trip huddle done. "If you get a weird email from me — wire, gift cards, account change, password reset — verify on a second channel before doing anything."

Authority list written down. Who can approve what dollar amount while you're gone? Stick it next to the office manager's monitor.

"When in doubt, call ___" contact identified. IT person (Jerry at 540.303.2410), accountant, business partner. Tell them in advance.

Vendor list reviewed. Are any payments scheduled to run while you're gone? Confirm them in advance so a fake "new wire instructions" email gets caught.

📱 On-Your-Phone Side

OOO toggle tested from the phone. So you can turn it off remotely if your plans change.

Key numbers saved in your phone. Jerry/IT, your bank, key vendors, the credit-card fraud line, your business partner.

Charger packed. Yes, this is on the list. Ask anyone who's ever landed at a hotel without one.

Phone passcode & lock-screen tested. If your phone gets lost or grabbed, the lock screen is the first line of defense.