# Manage PTO requests and emoji approvals with Slack and Gemini: n8n workflow

> Started by an event in a connected app, and works across Google Calendar, Google Sheets and Slack.

Source: https://millionrounds.com/workflow/manage-pto-requests-and-emoji-approvals-with-slack-and-gemin (Millionrounds; every figure on the page links to its filing or article)

[Automation library](https://millionrounds.com/workflows) · [Scheduling](https://millionrounds.com/workflows?category=Scheduling#library)

# Manage PTO requests and emoji approvals with Slack and Gemini

Started by an event in a connected app, and works across Google Calendar, Google Sheets and Slack. 18 steps, 4 branches: a working afternoon to understand properly.

Medium

[Download free](https://millionrounds.com/login?next=%2Fapp%2Fworkflow%2Fmanage-pto-requests-and-emoji-approvals-with-slack-and-gemin)

**18 steps** Medium: a working afternoon

**4** Branches: places the flow splits

**0** Loops or waits

**3** Services it connects to

## The flow

Starts it 1 Logic 7 Service 10

The steps in the order they run, from what starts it.

- 1 **When App Mentioned** Slack trigger *Starts it*
- 2 **Route by Event Type** If *Logic*
- 3 **Prepare Request Config** Set *Logic*
- 4 **If Reaction Added** If *Logic*
- 5 **Extract Dates with Gemini** Http Request *Service*
- 6 **Fetch Thread Replies** Slack *Service*
- 7 **Parse Date Output** Set *Logic*
- 8 **Prepare Reaction Config** Set *Logic*
- 9 **Check Calendar Conflicts** Google Calendar *Service*
- 10 **Check Reaction Criteria** If *Logic*
- 11 **If Calendar Conflict** If *Logic*
- 12 **Lookup Request in Sheets** Google Sheets *Service*
- 13 **Warn Requester of Conflict** Slack *Service*
- 14 **Post Request to HR Channel** Slack *Service*
- 15 **Block Time in Calendar** Google Calendar *Service*
- 16 **Log Pending Request in Sheets** Google Sheets *Service*
- 17 **Update Status in Sheets** Google Sheets *Service*
- 18 **Notify Employee of Approval** Slack *Service*

## How it's built

- **Starts on:** An event in a connected app
- **Steps:** 18, with 4 branches
- **Size:** Medium: a working afternoon
- **Connects to:** Google Calendar, Google Sheets, Slack
- **Model:** None. This is plumbing, not judgement

## Questions

What does it need to run?

An n8n account, plus your own Google Calendar, Google Sheets and Slack accounts. You connect your own accounts after importing it; none are included.

What starts it?

It starts on an event in a connected app.

Does it use AI?

No. Every step is fixed logic or a call to a service, so it does the same thing every time.

How long does it take to set up?

Plan an afternoon. 18 steps is enough that you should read each one before running it.

How do I import it?

Copy the workflow, open a new workflow in n8n and paste. The steps appear on the canvas, ready for your own accounts.

**Before you run it**

Nothing here has been tested by us. It is somebody's working automation, read and described from its own steps. Treat the connections it wants as a list of accounts it will touch, and read the 18 steps before you point it at anything that matters.

## Run it in n8n

- **Create your n8n account** Free to start. n8n is where the workflow runs. [Create an n8n account ↗](https://millionrounds.com/n8n)
- **Download the workflow** Free with a Millionrounds account. [Download free](https://millionrounds.com/login?next=%2Fapp%2Fworkflow%2Fmanage-pto-requests-and-emoji-approvals-with-slack-and-gemin)
- **Paste it into n8n** Open a new workflow in n8n and paste. Then connect your own accounts.

Stored with the author's traces removed: canvas notes, instance identifiers, saved credential names and any live document they had left behind.

## Connects to

Each opens the other workflows that use it.

[Google Calendar](https://millionrounds.com/workflows?service=Google+Calendar#library)[Google Sheets](https://millionrounds.com/workflows?service=Google+Sheets#library)[Slack](https://millionrounds.com/workflows?service=Slack#library)

## Workflows like it

Also scheduling, with the same services where possible, closest in size first.

- [**Auto-schedule Instagram & Facebook posts from Google Sheets** 18 steps · Google Drive, Google Sheets](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/auto-schedule-instagram-and-facebook-posts-from-google-sheet)
- [**Automate Everhour time-off sync to Google Calendar** 18 steps · Google Calendar](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/automate-everhour-time-off-sync-to-google-calendar)
- [**Book paid legal appointments with Stripe and Google Calendar** 18 steps · Gmail, Google Calendar](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/book-paid-legal-appointments-with-stripe-and-google-calendar)
- [**Record and confirm WhatsApp (Twilio) appointments** 18 steps · Google Sheets](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/record-and-confirm-whatsapp-twilio-appointments)
- [**Smart irrigation scheduler with Google Sheets and Slack** 18 steps · Google Sheets, Slack](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/smart-irrigation-scheduler-with-google-sheets-and-slack)
- [**Sync Calendly bookings with Google Calendar and Airtable CRM** 18 steps · Airtable, Google Calendar](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/sync-calendly-bookings-with-google-calendar-and-airtable-crm)