20 Out of Office Message Examples

If you're going away for 2-3 weeks, you shouldn't be checking your emails. So creating an effective "out of office" (OOO) message is important to inform colleagues, clients, or customers that you are unavailable and to guide them on what to do next.

General Out of Office Messages

Basic OOO Message

➡️ "Thank you for your email. I am currently out of the office and will return on [Date]. I will respond to your message as soon as possible upon my return. For urgent matters, please contact [Alternative Contact Person] at [Email/Phone]."

Short and Simple

➡️ "I am out of the office until [Date]. Please reach out to [Contact Person] at [Email/Phone] for immediate assistance."

Extended Absence

➡️ "I am currently out of the office on extended leave until [Date]. During this period, I will have limited access to my email. For urgent matters, please contact [Alternative Contact Person] at [Email/Phone]. Thank you for your understanding."

Vacation Out of Office Messages

Vacation OOO

➡️ "I am on vacation and will return on [Date]. I will not be checking emails regularly, so there may be a delay in my response. For urgent issues, please contact [Contact Person] at [Email/Phone]."

Holiday Leave

➡️ "Happy holidays! I am out of the office for the holiday season and will return on [Date]. I will respond to your email as soon as possible after my return. For urgent matters, please contact [Alternative Contact Person]."

Family Vacation

➡️"I am enjoying some time off with my family and will return to the office on [Date]. During this period, I will have limited access to my email. If you need immediate assistance, please contact [Contact Person]."

Professional Out of Office Messages

Conference Attendance

➡️ "I am currently attending a conference and will return on [Date]. During this time, I may have limited access to email. For urgent matters, please contact [Alternative Contact Person] at [Email/Phone]."

Training or Workshop

➡️ "I am out of the office attending a workshop and will return on [Date]. I will have limited access to email but will respond as soon as possible. For urgent concerns, please contact [Contact Person] at [Email/Phone]."

Client Meeting

➡️ "I am currently out of the office attending client meetings and will return on [Date]. If your matter is urgent, please contact [Contact Person] at [Email/Phone]. Otherwise, I will respond to your email when I return."

Humorous Out of Office Messages

Fun Vacation Message

➡️ "Aloha! I’m currently soaking up the sun and will return on [Date]. I’ll respond to your email after I’ve shaken the sand out of my laptop. For urgent matters, please contact [Contact Person] at [Email/Phone]."

Humorous OOO

➡️ "I’m currently out of the office, and my email is enjoying a break too. I’ll be back on [Date]. If you need immediate assistance, please contact [Contact Person]. Otherwise, I’ll get back to you as soon as I return—hopefully tan and relaxed!"

Gone Fishing

➡️ "I’ve gone fishing! I’ll be out of the office until [Date]. If your matter is urgent, please contact [Alternative Contact Person] at [Email/Phone]. For all other inquiries, I’ll respond after I’ve caught the big one!"

Creative Out of Office Messages

Poetic OOO

➡️ "Roses are red, violets are blue, I’m out of the office, but I’ll get back to you! I’ll return on [Date]. For urgent matters, contact [Contact Person] at [Email/Phone]."

Quote-Inspired

➡️ "They say ‘All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy,’ so I’m out of the office until [Date] for some well-deserved play. Please reach out to [Contact Person] for urgent issues."

Thematic Message

➡️ "I’m currently on a quest for [specific vacation or activity] and will return with treasures (or just photos) on [Date]. For urgent matters, please contact [Contact Person]."

Specific Out of Office Messages

Maternity/Paternity Leave

➡️ "I am currently on maternity/paternity leave and will return on [Date]. During this time, I will not be checking emails regularly. For immediate assistance, please contact [Contact Person]."

Sick Leave

➡️ "I am currently out of the office due to illness and will return on [Date]. I will respond to your email upon my return. For urgent matters, please contact [Alternative Contact Person] at [Email/Phone]."

Jury Duty

➡️ "I am out of the office for jury duty until [Date]. I will have limited access to email during this time. Please contact [Contact Person] at [Email/Phone] for urgent issues."

OOO Messages with Detailed Instructions

Delegation with Multiple Contacts

➡️ "I am currently out of the office and will return on [Date]. For assistance with [specific issue], please contact [Person 1] at [Email/Phone]. For [another issue], please reach out to [Person 2]. I’ll respond to other inquiries as soon as I return."

Detailed OOO with Response Options

➡️ "Thank you for your email. I am currently out of the office and will return on [Date]. In the meantime:

For urgent matters, contact [Contact Person] at [Email/Phone].

For [specific service or issue], reach out to [Alternative Contact].

I will address all other emails upon my return."

FAQ

What should I include in an out of office message?

A basic OOO message should include:

The dates of your absence.

A brief explanation of your unavailability (e.g., on vacation, attending a conference).

Instructions on who to contact in your absence (name and contact information).

A promise to respond to emails upon your return.

How do I set up an out of office message in my email?

The process varies depending on your email client:

For Microsoft Outlook: Go to "File" > "Automatic Replies" (Out of Office), set your message, and choose the dates.

For Gmail: Go to "Settings" > "See all settings" > "Vacation responder," and then input your OOO message and dates.

For Apple Mail: Set up via your email provider’s web portal (e.g., iCloud settings).

Can I use humor in my out of office message?

Yes, as long as it's appropriate for your workplace. Humorous OOO messages can be memorable and engaging, but ensure they align with your company culture and audience. Avoid humor if your role is very formal or if you’re communicating with clients who expect professionalism.

Should I include personal details in my out of office message?

It’s generally best to keep personal details to a minimum. You can mention that you're on vacation or attending an event, but avoid sharing too much about your private life. Focus on providing the necessary information for professional communication.

What if I don't have an alternative contact to provide?

Answer: If there's no one else to handle inquiries in your absence, you can still set an OOO message. Let people know when you'll be back and that you’ll respond to their emails as soon as possible. You might say something like, "I will respond to your email as soon as I return on [Date]. If this matter is urgent, please mention 'Urgent' in the subject line."

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