generating a consolidated graphical user interface of a communication application implemented with at least one processor of a computer, the consolidated graphical user interface comprising a sidebar having a plurality of expandable boxes, each box providing access to a corresponding function of the communication application;

receiving, in a first expandable box of the plurality of expandable boxes, a start date and an end date specifying a future away-from-work time period for a user, the first expandable box providing access to calendar functions of the communication application;

detecting a selection of a composition graphical user interface element in a second expandable box of the plurality of expandable boxes, the second expandable box providing access to messaging functions of the communication application;

in response to detecting the selection of the composition graphical user interface element in the second expandable box, expanding the second expandable box to display a message composition field;

receiving content in the message composition field;

generating an away-from-office communication specifying the away-from-work time period and content in the message composition field;

identifying, in a third expandable box of the plurality of expandable boxes, a list of collaborators based on frequency and duration of recent interactions between the collaborators and the user via the communication application, the collaborators comprising other users of the communication application;

receiving, in the third expandable box of the plurality of expandable boxes, a selection of collaborators from the list of collaborators;

identifying, in a fourth expandable box of the plurality of expandable boxes, meetings involving the user during the away-from-work time period, the fourth expandable box comprising a meeting decline graphical user interface element;

generating, in a fifth expandable box of the plurality of expandable boxes, a first list of items for the user to complete prior to the away-from-work time period;

generating, in a sixth expandable box of the plurality of expandable boxes, a second list of items for the user to attend to upon return from the away-from-work time period for presentation to the user upon return;

displaying the consolidated graphical user interface that consolidates information comprising the start date, the end date, the selection of collaborators, the identified meetings, the first list of items, and the second list of items; and

configuring the communication application based on the information from the consolidated graphical user interface.