Taking a Break

Overview

The Taking a Break feature allows Admins to temporarily pause a learner's notifications and emails when they're away for an extended period—such as maternity leave, a sabbatical, or an extended holiday.

This helps keep the learner's inbox clear while they're away and makes it easy for colleagues to see at a glance that someone is currently unavailable.

Functionality Breakdown

When a user is set to Taking a Break status, the following happens:

Notifications and Emails

• The user stops receiving all automated emails and notifications from Learn Amp

• This includes reminders for tasks, 1-to-1s, learning assignments, and system updates

Visibility

• A "Taking a Break" icon and tooltip appears next to the user's name in logs and reports

• The "Taking a Break" label is displayed on the user's profile page

• This status is visible to Admins, Managers, and other users viewing reports

Learning Activity

• Tasks, 1-to-1s, and learning assignments continue to be issued as normal

• Only the notifications about these items are paused

• When the user returns, they can catch up on any missed activity

For Managers Taking a Break

When a Manager is set to Taking a Break:

• Their Stand-in Manager is automatically activated

• The Stand-in Manager receives the manager's notifications and permissions

• 1-to-1 assessor responsibilities transfer to the Stand-in Manager

• Survey assignments are redirected appropriately

Returning to Active Status

• When the user returns, an Admin simply changes their status back to Active

• Notifications and emails resume immediately

• No learning progress or data is lost during the break

• For Managers, the Stand-in Manager is automatically deactivated

Pre-requisites

Role Requirements

To set another user as Taking a Break:

• Owner – Can set status for any user in their company

• Admin – Can set status for any user in their company

• Manager – Can set status for their direct reports only

To set yourself as Taking a Break:

• Owner

• Admin

• Manager

• Secondary Manager

Note: Learners cannot set themselves as Taking a Break—this must be done by someone with the appropriate role.

Requirements for Managers Taking a Break

If the user being set to "Taking a Break" is a Manager, the following conditions must be met:

• A Stand-in Manager must be assigned to the user

• The user cannot be actively serving as a Stand-in Manager for another user

• The chosen Stand-in Manager cannot already be on break

💡 Tip: Set up the Stand-in Manager before attempting to change the status. See Setting Up Stand-in Managers for details.

Quick Start Guide

Setting a User as Taking a Break (Admin/Owner)

1. From the sidebar, navigate to People

2. Select the user you want to update

3. Click the Manager tab in the left navigation

4. Find the Status dropdown

5. Select Taking a break

6. Click Save

The user will immediately stop receiving notifications and their status will be visible across the platform.

Setting Yourself as Taking a Break (Manager)

1. Click your profile icon and select Settings

2. Navigate to Manager Settings in the sidebar

3. Find the Status dropdown

4. Select Taking a break

5. Click Save

⚠️ Warning: Before setting yourself to Taking a Break, ensure you have assigned a Stand-in Manager.

Returning a User to Active Status

1. Navigate to the user's profile (or your own Settings)

2. Go to the Manager tab (or Manager Settings)

3. Find the Status dropdown

4. Select Active

5. Click Save

The user will immediately start receiving notifications again.

Stand-in Managers

If you have a manager who is taking a break and you need someone to temporarily cover their responsibilities, Learn Amp offers a Stand-in Manager feature.

This allows another user to receive the manager's notifications and perform managerial tasks during their absence—including:

• Access to team member profiles and activity

• 1-to-1 review completion

• Survey management

• Task oversight

For full details on how to set this up, see the related article below.

FAQs

Q: Can a learner set themselves as Taking a Break?
No—only Admins, Owners, or Managers (for their direct reports) can change a user's status. Managers can also set their own status.

Q: Why can't I set a Manager to Taking a Break?
Managers must have a Stand-in Manager assigned before they can take a break. Additionally, they cannot be on break if they're currently acting as a Stand-in Manager for someone else.

Q: Will the system still issue Tasks, 1-to-1s, and learning assignments to users who are Taking a Break?
Yes. The Taking a Break status only pauses notifications and emails—tasks and assignments are still issued as normal and will be waiting when the user returns.

Q: How long can someone remain on Taking a Break status?
There's no time limit. A user can remain on Taking a Break status for as long as needed.

Q: Will a user's learning progress be affected during their break?
No. All learning progress, completions, and data are preserved.

Q: Can I set multiple users as Taking a Break at once?
Currently, the status must be changed individually for each user. For bulk changes, contact your Learn Amp support team.

Q: What happens to overdue items when a user returns to Active status?
Any items that became overdue during the break will still show as overdue. The user can then work through these items as normal.

Q: What happens to a Manager's team when they take a break?
Their Stand-in Manager automatically receives their managerial permissions and responsibilities until they return.

Troubleshooting

Related Articles

• Setting Up Stand-in Managers

• Manager on Break (Stand-in Manager)

• Understanding Manager Types

Last Reviewed: 27/11/2025