This policy requires following two procedures.  First, create Red Push Pin on yours and others' calendar.  Second, block all the time you will be away on your own calendar.
 

1. Click on the Red Pushpin (or, under Edit  >  New  >  New Daily Note)
2. In text box to the right of "Title," type <your name> Out, for example, JoEllen Out [this is your only descriptive field and it won't take as much text as it looks like]
3. If not correct, change date
4. In text box under "People and Resources" type in PUCKETT and JOYCE M and your department head's name.  After typing in each, hit Enter (or click the green check mark icon).  Notice how that person's name pops in box below the add line.(more on adding people to your entries) (how to create a group with everyone in your department)
5. If you will be away more than one day, click on the "Repeating" tab.  To include consecutive days, click the pull-down triangle under "Frequency" and change the Weekly default to Daily.  Then, set dates under "Start and end dates."  Next you must find and hit the "List Dates" button (otherwise, the repeat function will not work).  Notice how all your designated dates pop into the box at the bottom of the screen.  Click OK.
6. Finally, click OK.  Email notification of planned absences is not required.
7. Verify that it worked correctly on your calendar.  If it is not quite right, double click on the entry and you'll get an "Edit Entry" window permitting you to edit any setting.  Verify that the addition of the red pushpin to others' calendar worked correctly by opening her or his agenda (under File  >  Agenda  >  Open).

1. Click on the New Meeting icon (or, under Edit  >  New  >  Meeting)
2. In text box to the right of "Title," type the entry description [you may want to this text to correspond to the Red Push Pin]
3. If not correct, change date
4. Block all the hours of your regular work day [for most people nine hours]
5. In text box under "People and Resources" do not add any other name!  [other people do not want time blocks relevant to You on Their calendar]
6. If you will be away more than one day, click on the "Repeating" tab.  To include consecutive days, click the pull-down triangle under "Frequency" and change the Weekly default to Daily.  Then, set dates under "Start and end dates."  Next you must find and hit the "List Dates" button (otherwise, the repeat function will not work).  Notice how all your designated dates pop into the box at the bottom of the screen.  Click OK.
7. Finally, click OK.  Email notification of planned absences is not required.
8. Verify that it worked correctly on your calendar.  If it is not quite right, double click on the entry and you'll get an "Edit Entry" window permitting you to edit any setting.  Verify that this blocking was NOT added to others' calendars by opening her or his agenda (under File  >  Agenda  >  Open).