At what point do I ask them to just do it?

[new_to_kin]

2 out of my 3 recommenders haven't completed their LOR online. Initially when they asked how long they had I said until the end of March because I was just so damn happy they agreed to do it, esp after 5 years' break from study.

My work's deadline for renewal unexpectedly came up early this year and it was due March 1. I have asked for an extension, but do not want to take a years' leave until my uni is in the bag. I've had unofficial confirmation from my supervisor that it is a go ("If you apply, I will accept you") with full funding.

It's been over 2 weeks that the letter writers have had the login codes - at what point should I prod them? It's still within the original window that I gave them, but now something has come up. Would it be reasonable to ask them if they could please do it sooner rather than later now that circumstances have changed?

[see_bella]

Yes

[123student]

Yes, but I would explain how circumstances have changed and give each recommender a specific new date. You are asking them to change their schedules by 3 weeks, and they may now have to shift around the rest of their work. Surely they understand this kind of thing happens, but they may still appreciate an apologetic explanation. In my experience, some recommenders don't write their letters until close to the deadline, so changing the deadline on them is a bigger shift in their schedules than one might realize. They have plenty of work to do, too. Plus, rushing them could reduce the quality of your recommendation letter, since they now have less time to consider and compose it.