Heading out on maternity leave is such a special time, and setting up your out-of-office message is a small but important step in preparing for your baby’s arrival.
It’s your chance to let colleagues and clients know you’re stepping away while ensuring everything runs smoothly in your absence.
The perfect OOO message strikes a balance between professionalism and warmth, letting everyone know you’re excited for this new chapter.
We’ve compiled a comprehensive list to help you craft the ideal message, ensuring peace of mind as you focus on your growing family.
Classic & Professional OOO Messages
When you need to keep things straightforward and professional, these messages get the job done efficiently.
They ensure that essential information is communicated clearly without unnecessary detail.
These options are perfect for maintaining a polished image even when you’re out of the office.
1. “I am currently out of the office on maternity leave and will return on [Date]. – This is a standard and clear message that provides your return date for easy planning.
2. “Thank you for your email. I am currently on maternity leave and have limited access to email. – This acknowledges receipt while managing expectations about your response time.
3. “I am out of the office on maternity leave until [Date]. For urgent matters, please contact [Colleague’s Name] at [Colleague’s Email/Phone]. – This is crucial for ensuring business continuity and directing urgent inquiries appropriately.
4. “Please note: I am on maternity leave and will respond to your message upon my return on [Date]. – A concise option that sets a clear expectation for when a response can be anticipated.
5. “I am currently on maternity leave and will be away from my desk for the next [Number] weeks. – This provides a general timeframe if a specific return date isn’t yet firm or needs to be kept private.
6. “Wishing you a productive week! I am currently on maternity leave and will be checking email intermittently. – This offers a slightly more personal touch while still indicating you’re unavailable for regular duties.
7. “Your email is important to me. I am currently on maternity leave and will respond upon my return on or after [Date]. – This reassures the sender that their message is valued, even with a delayed response.
8. “I am out of the office on maternity leave. My colleague, [Colleague’s Name], will be covering my responsibilities. You can reach them at [Colleague’s Email]. – This clearly designates a point person for work-related issues.
9. “Due to my maternity leave, my response time will be significantly delayed. Please contact [Department Email/General Inquiry Address] for immediate assistance. – This is helpful for directing general inquiries to a team or shared inbox.
10. “I am on maternity leave and will have limited access to email during this time. – A simple and effective way to convey your unavailability and manage expectations.
11. “Thank you for your message. I am currently on maternity leave and will be back in the office on [Date]. – A polite and professional acknowledgement with a clear return date.
12. “I am out of office on maternity leave until [Date]. For any urgent requests, please redirect your email to [Colleague’s Name] at [Colleague’s Email]. – A direct instruction for urgent matters to ensure they are handled promptly.
13. “My maternity leave has begun, and I will be offline until [Date]. – A straightforward announcement of your leave and return timeframe.
14. “Please note that I am currently on maternity leave. I will review your email upon my return on [Date]. – This confirms receipt and sets a clear expectation for when you’ll get back to them.
15. “I am unavailable due to maternity leave until [Date]. For immediate assistance, please reach out to [Colleague’s Name] at [Colleague’s Phone Number]. – Providing a phone number can be helpful for even more urgent situations.
These classic messages provide a solid foundation for your out-of-office notification.
Warm & Personal OOO Messages
Adding a touch of personal warmth can make your out-of-office message feel more human and relatable.
It’s a lovely way to share a bit of your excitement while still being professional.
These options are perfect for workplaces with a more casual or close-knit culture.
16. “Hello from my maternity leave! I’m currently focused on my new arrival and will return on [Date]. – This is a cheerful and direct way to announce your leave and its purpose.
17. “I’m currently on maternity leave, enjoying some precious moments with my little one. I’ll be back on [Date]. – This adds a personal touch about what you’ll be doing during your leave.
18. “Thank you for your email! I’m out on maternity leave and will respond upon my return on [Date]. Wishing you all the best! – This includes a warm closing that extends good wishes.
19. “Exciting news! I’m on maternity leave and will be back in the office around [Date]. For anything urgent, please reach out to [Colleague’s Name]. – This shares your excitement and provides an alternative contact.
20. “I’m currently on maternity leave, celebrating the arrival of my baby. I’ll be back on [Date] and look forward to catching up then! – This expresses joy about the baby and anticipation for your return.
21. “Taking some time to bond with my new baby! I’m on maternity leave until [Date]. For immediate needs, please contact [Colleague’s Name]. – This highlights the importance of family bonding time.
22. “Warm greetings! I’m currently on maternity leave and will be back on [Date]. I appreciate your patience during this special time. – This conveys warmth and gratitude for understanding.
23. “Hello! I’m out on maternity leave, cherishing this new chapter. I’ll be back around [Date]. – A simple, heartfelt message about embracing this new phase.
24. “Thank you for your message. I’m on maternity leave and will respond upon my return on [Date]. Hope you’re having a wonderful week! – This adds a friendly, personal closing.
25. “I’m currently on maternity leave, soaking up every moment with my little one. I’ll be back in the office on [Date]. – This paints a lovely picture of your time away.
26. “Wishing you well! I’m on maternity leave until [Date]. For urgent matters, please connect with [Colleague’s Name]. – A kind opening and clear instructions for urgent needs.
27. “Hello from maternity leave! I’m out of office until [Date] and will respond to emails upon my return. – A direct and warm announcement of your leave.
28. “I’m taking time for maternity leave and will be back on [Date]. Thank you for your understanding! – A straightforward message expressing gratitude for support.
29. “Excited for this new adventure! I’m on maternity leave and will return on [Date]. Please contact [Colleague’s Name] for urgent matters. – This conveys enthusiasm and provides necessary contact information.
30. “Hello! I’m currently on maternity leave, enjoying time with my family. I’ll be back on [Date]. – A simple message focusing on family time.
These personal touches can make your absence feel less like a void and more like a celebrated transition.
Humorous & Lighthearted OOO Messages
If your workplace culture allows for a bit of fun, a humorous out-of-office message can bring a smile to your colleagues’ faces.
It’s a great way to show personality and lighten the mood during your absence.
Just ensure it still conveys the necessary information about your leave and return.
31. “I’m currently out of the office on maternity leave, trading spreadsheets for sleepless nights. I’ll be back on [Date]. – This humorously contrasts work life with new parenthood.
32. “Gone on maternity leave to figure out this whole ‘baby’ thing. Estimated return date: [Date]. For emergencies, please consult a fortune teller. – A lighthearted jab at the unpredictable nature of life with a newborn.
33. “Alert: My inbox is currently unsupervised! I’m on maternity leave until [Date]. Please direct urgent matters to [Colleague’s Name], who is braver than I am. – This playfully suggests your colleagues are taking on a challenge.
34. “I’ve officially gone on maternity leave! My brain is currently running on baby coos and caffeine. I’ll be back on [Date]. – This uses relatable new parent experiences for a chuckle.
35. “Currently on maternity leave. My productivity levels are at an all-time low, but my cuteness levels are through the roof (the baby’s, not mine… yet). Back on [Date]. – A self-deprecating and sweet joke about the baby’s impact.
36. “Out of office on maternity leave. If you need me, I’ll be in the land of tiny socks and lullabies. Back on [Date]. – This paints a whimsical picture of your maternity leave activities.
37. “My maternity leave has commenced! I’m currently engaged in advanced-level baby cuddling. I’ll return on [Date]. – This frames your leave as a skilled, albeit new, profession.
38. “I’m on maternity leave, attempting to keep a tiny human alive. Wish me luck! I’ll be back on [Date]. – A humorous and honest take on the challenges of new parenthood.
39. “Your email has reached its destination, but I am currently out of the office on maternity leave. Please hold while I learn to decipher baby cries. Back [Date]. – This playfully suggests a steep learning curve.
40. “I’m on maternity leave, and my main focus is on nap schedules (mine and the baby’s). I’ll be back on [Date]. – This uses a universally understood challenge of new parents.
41. “Out of office on maternity leave. My inbox is on vacation too. I’ll be back to tackle it on [Date]. – This humorously extends the “out of office” concept to your inbox.
42. “Currently on maternity leave, mastering the art of the diaper change. I’ll be back to mastering work emails on [Date]. – A funny comparison of two very different skill sets.
43. “Maternity leave mode: Activated! I’m off duty until [Date]. Please direct urgent inquiries to [Colleague’s Name] before I forget how to use a keyboard. – This humorously exaggerates your potential temporary amnesia.
44. “I’m on maternity leave, so my responses may be delayed by tiny human interruptions. Back on [Date]. – A relatable and funny explanation for potential delays.
45. “Out of office on maternity leave. I’m currently accepting applications for ‘Best Baby Advice.’ I’ll return on [Date] to review them. – A playful invitation for well-wishes and advice.
A little humor can go a long way in making your absence feel friendly and approachable.
Messages with Specific Instructions for Colleagues
Sometimes, you need to provide very clear directions for your colleagues and clients to ensure a seamless workflow.
These messages focus on guiding others to the right resources or people during your maternity leave.
Clarity is key when ensuring that critical tasks continue without interruption.
46. “I am currently on maternity leave and will return on [Date]. For urgent project [Project Name] matters, please contact [Colleague’s Name] at [Colleague’s Email]. – This targets specific project needs to a designated person.
47. “Thank you for your email. I am on maternity leave until [Date]. For sales inquiries, please reach out to [Sales Team Email/Contact]. – This directs specific types of inquiries to the appropriate department or individual.
48. “My maternity leave has begun. I will have limited access to email. For immediate support with [Specific Task/Responsibility], please contact [Colleague’s Name]. – This clearly outlines who to contact for a particular area of responsibility.
49. “I am out of the office on maternity leave. All client-related issues should be directed to [Client Manager’s Name] at [Client Manager’s Email]. – This ensures client needs are met by the designated point person.
50. “Please note: I am on maternity leave until [Date]. For any questions regarding [Specific Area/Topic], please contact [Colleague’s Name]. – This helps route questions about specialized knowledge to the right expert.
51. “I’m currently on maternity leave. For urgent requests related to [Department Name], please contact [Department Head’s Name]. – This provides a clear escalation path for departmental issues.
52. “Wishing you a productive week. I am on maternity leave and will return on [Date]. For urgent IT support, please submit a ticket via [IT Support Portal Link]. – This directs technical issues to the correct support channel.
53. “Thank you for your message. I am out on maternity leave. For any marketing-related inquiries, please contact [Marketing Contact Person]. – This ensures marketing communications are handled appropriately.
54. “My maternity leave is in effect until [Date]. For any urgent financial matters, please reach out to [Finance Department Contact]. – This ensures financial queries are directed to the correct team.
55. “I am currently on maternity leave and will have limited email access. For urgent operational issues, please contact [Operations Manager’s Name]. – This clearly defines who to contact for operational concerns.
56. “Gone on maternity leave! I’ll be back on [Date]. For urgent HR-related questions, please contact [HR Department Contact]. – This directs HR inquiries to the appropriate department.
57. “Please note: I am on maternity leave until [Date]. If your request is time-sensitive and relates to [Specific Task], please contact [Colleague’s Name] at [Colleague’s Phone Number]. – This provides a direct contact for urgent, specific tasks.
58. “I’m currently on maternity leave. For urgent feedback or support regarding [Product/Service Name], please contact [Product Support Lead]. – This ensures product-specific issues are handled efficiently.
59. “Out of office on maternity leave. My return date is [Date]. For any urgent administrative tasks, please contact [Administrative Assistant’s Name]. – This designates a point person for administrative needs.
60. “Maternity leave is underway. I’ll be back on [Date]. For urgent legal inquiries, please contact [Legal Department Contact]. – This directs legal matters to the appropriate department.
These specific instructions ensure that all essential business functions continue smoothly during your leave.
Short & Sweet OOO Messages
Sometimes, less is more, especially when you want a quick and effective out-of-office reply.
These concise messages convey the essential information without unnecessary words.
They are perfect for those who prefer a no-fuss approach.
61. “On maternity leave until [Date]. – The shortest possible notification, conveying your absence and return date.
62. “Maternity leave. Back [Date]. – Extremely brief, perfect for a quick update.
63. “Out of office: Maternity Leave. Return [Date]. – A clear and concise statement of your status.
64. “Maternity leave. Limited access. – Informs recipients of your absence and reduced email availability.
65. “On leave until [Date]. – A simple and direct message about your unavailability.
66. “Maternity leave. Contact [Colleague] for urgent matters. – Provides an alternative contact for immediate needs.
67. “Away on maternity leave. – A straightforward announcement of your leave.
68. “Maternity leave. Will respond upon return. – Sets expectations for a delayed response.
69. “On maternity leave until further notice. – Useful if your return date is not yet confirmed.
70. “Maternity leave. Back soon. – A friendly and brief update on your return.
71. “Out on maternity leave. – A simple and professional notification.
72. “Maternity leave. Please email [Colleague’s Email]. – Directs inquiries to a specific email address.
73. “On maternity leave. See you [Date]. – A warm and brief closing.
74. “Maternity leave. Urgent? Call [Number]. – Provides a direct contact for urgent issues.
75. “Away for maternity leave. Back [Date]. – A clear and simple message.
These short messages ensure your colleagues are informed quickly and efficiently.
Setting up your maternity leave out-of-office message is a final step in preparing for your new adventure.
We hope this guide has provided you with plenty of options to choose from.
Whether you prefer professional, personal, humorous, or concise, there’s a perfect message out there for you.
Wishing you a beautiful and blessed maternity leave!