Define blackout periods

Defining Blackout Periods

Blackout periods help ensure that Fellows only log time when they’re officially in service.

With the introduction of Personal Start & End Dates and Time Off Calendars, blackout management is now easier and more accurate than ever.

How Blackout Dates Work Now

• Personal Start & End Dates

  • Each Fellow’s individual start and end dates now automatically create blackout periods before and after their term of service.

  • This means Fellows can only log hours within their authorized service dates—no manual blackout setup required.

• Time Off Calendars
  

  • If your organization uses a Time Off Calendar, any organization-wide or program-specific breaks (such as holidays, office closures, or service pauses) are automatically reflected in your Fellows’ timesheets.
    These calendar events function as blackout days, preventing Fellows from logging time on those dates.

Together, these tools keep your timesheets fully compliant and accurate without needing to mass-update blackout dates.

When You Might Still Use Manual Blackout Updates

In some cases, you may still need to manually define additional blackout dates. For example:

• Unexpected campus closures or service suspensions

• Program-specific training breaks

• Late approvals or reinstated Fellows whose service terms temporarily paused

To manually set blackout dates for multiple Fellows:

1. Log into the Fellow Impact Suite.

2. In your Mission Control, select Fellows, Staff, & Community Host Partners.

3. On the right, under Manage Fellows, choose Manage Fellow Accounts.

4. Open the More drop-down menu and select Mass-Update Blackout Dates.

5. Follow the on-screen workflow to apply the blackout period.

Best Practice

Whenever possible, rely on Personal Start & End Dates and your Time Off Calendar to automate blackout days and time off.

Use manual updates only when something unique affects a subset of Fellows.

Video Resource: Setting Mass Blackout Dates