Heading out of the office for a well-deserved break? Whether it’s a vacation, a personal appointment, or just a much-needed mental health day, letting people know you’re unavailable is key.
But a simple “I’m out” can feel a bit blunt. Crafting an out-of-office message that’s both informative and reflects your personality can make all the difference.
We’ve gathered a fantastic collection of messages to suit every situation and style. From the professional to the downright funny, you’re sure to find the perfect fit.
So, let’s dive in and make sure your absence is communicated with a touch of warmth and clarity!
Professional & Direct Messages
Sometimes, you just need to get straight to the point. These messages are perfect for when clarity and efficiency are paramount.
They convey essential information without unnecessary fluff, ensuring your colleagues and clients know what to expect.
These are your go-to options for maintaining a professional image even when you’re not at your desk.
1. “Thank you for your email. I am currently out of the office and will respond to your message upon my return on [Date]. – This is a classic, clear, and concise message that sets expectations for a response time.
2. “I am out of the office on leave from [Start Date] to [End Date]. For urgent matters, please contact [Colleague’s Name] at [Colleague’s Email/Phone]. – This provides an alternative contact for immediate needs, ensuring business continuity.
3. “My apologies, but I will be unavailable until [Date]. I will review and respond to emails as soon as possible after my return. – This acknowledges receipt of the email and politely informs the sender about the delay.
4. “I am currently away from my desk and will have limited access to email. I will respond to your message upon my return on [Date]. – This is useful if you might check emails sporadically but can’t commit to timely responses.
5. “Thank you for reaching out. I am out of the office on [Reason for leave, e.g., vacation, conference] until [Date]. – Briefly stating the reason can add a touch of context without oversharing.
6. “I am currently on approved leave and will not be monitoring my email. I will return on [Date] and will address your message then. – This clearly states you won’t be checking emails, managing expectations effectively.
7. “Your email is important to me. I am out of the office until [Date] and will respond in the order it was received upon my return. – This reassures the sender while still setting a clear timeframe for a response.
8. “Please note that I am out of the office from [Start Date] to [End Date]. For immediate assistance, please reach out to [Department/Team Name] at [Email/Phone]. – This is a good option for directing inquiries to a general point of contact.
9. “I am currently attending a company-wide event and will be back in the office on [Date]. Your patience is appreciated. – This is specific and professional, suitable for business-related absences.
10. “I am out of the office on a personal leave of absence and will return on [Date]. I will respond to all messages at that time. – “Personal leave of absence” is a professional way to indicate a non-work-related absence.
11. “Thank you for your message. I am currently out of office on a training course and will resume normal email access on [Date]. – This is a professional reason for absence that also implies professional development.
12. “I am currently on paternity/maternity leave and will return on [Date]. For urgent matters, please contact [Colleague’s Name]. – A specific and common reason for extended leave, handled professionally.
13. “I am out of the office for a family emergency and will respond as soon as I am able. I anticipate returning on [Date]. – This conveys a serious but private reason for absence while providing an estimated return date.
14. “Your email has been received. I am currently out of the office on sick leave and will respond upon my return on [Date]. – Clearly states the reason for absence without going into detail.
15. “I am out of the office on sabbatical and will be back on [Date]. I will have limited email access during this time. – Sabbaticals are typically for extended periods of rest or research, and this message manages expectations.
16. “Thank you for your email. I am currently on a business trip and will respond to your message upon my return to the office on [Date]. – This is a common and professional reason for being out of office.
17. “I am out of office for an extended period and will return on [Date]. For any urgent requests, please direct them to [Colleague’s Name] at [Colleague’s Email]. – “Extended period” signals a longer absence, and the urgent contact is crucial.
18. “I am currently on leave and will not be checking email. I will respond to your message upon my return on [Date]. – This is a firm statement that no email will be monitored.
19. “Your email is important. I am out of the office until [Date]. For immediate needs, please contact [Colleague’s Name] or visit our support page at [Link]. – Offering a support page can be a great alternative for common queries.
20. “I am out of the office on a planned leave of absence. I will return on [Date] and will address your message then. – “Planned leave of absence” sounds organized and professional.
These direct messages ensure that important work doesn’t stall while you’re away.
Friendly & Casual Messages
For workplaces with a more relaxed vibe, these messages add a touch of personality. They can make your absence feel less like a disruption and more like a temporary pause.
Injecting a bit of warmth can make your colleagues feel more connected, even when you’re not around.
These are perfect for when you want to maintain a friendly rapport with your contacts.
21. “Hey there! I’m currently out of the office, soaking up some much-needed R&R until [Date]. I’ll get back to you when I return! – This uses casual language to convey a positive and relaxed absence.
22. “Aloha! I’m out of the office on a little adventure until [Date]. I’ll be sure to reply to your message when I’m back. – “Aloha” and “adventure” add a fun, vacation-like feel.
23. “Greetings! I’m off on a brief escape from [Start Date] to [End Date]. Catch you on the flip side! – “Escape” and “catch you on the flip side” are lighthearted and memorable.
24. “Woohoo! I’m out of the office until [Date] enjoying some downtime. I’ll respond to your email upon my return. – An enthusiastic message that signals a happy break.
25. “Hi! I’m currently out of the office, likely with my feet up, until [Date]. I’ll be in touch when I’m back. – Relatable and casual, suggesting a comfortable break.
26. “Sending you good vibes from afar! I’m out of office until [Date] and will reply when I’m back in the swing of things. – “Good vibes” and “swing of things” create a friendly, approachable tone.
27. “Out of office and off the grid (mostly!) until [Date]. I’ll get back to you as soon as I resurface. – A humorous take on being unavailable, implying a significant break.
28. “Hello! I’m currently out of the office on a little break until [Date]. Your message is important, and I’ll get back to you upon my return. – Simple, friendly, and reassuring.
29. “Be back soon! I’m out of the office until [Date]. If it’s super urgent, please ping [Colleague’s Name]. – “Be back soon” is optimistic, and “ping” is casual for contacting someone.
30. “Hi! I’m out of the office until [Date] and will be responding to emails when I return. Thanks for your patience! – A straightforward but warm message that expresses gratitude.
31. “I’m currently out of the office, probably enjoying some fresh air, until [Date]. I’ll get back to you then! – Suggests a healthy and enjoyable reason for absence.
32. “Greetings! I’m out of the office on a short break until [Date]. Looking forward to catching up when I’m back! – Expresses a positive outlook on returning to work.
33. “Off duty until [Date]! I’ll be sure to respond to your message once I’m back in action. – “Off duty” and “back in action” are playful phrases for a break and return.
34. “Hello! I’m taking some time off until [Date]. I’ll be sure to get back to you as soon as I’m back at my desk. – Polite and clear, with a focus on returning to work.
35. “I’m out of the office on a digital detox until [Date]. I’ll get back to you with a full inbox response upon my return! – Humorous and relatable in today’s connected world.
36. “Taking a breather until [Date]! I’ll be sure to reply to your email when I’m back and refreshed. – “Taking a breather” and “refreshed” convey a sense of rejuvenation.
37. “Hi! I’m out of the office until [Date]. For urgent matters, please reach out to [Colleague’s Name] – they’re awesome! – A compliment to the colleague adds a nice touch.
38. “Currently out of the office, exploring new horizons until [Date]. I’ll respond to your message when I return. – “Exploring new horizons” adds a sense of personal growth or adventure.
39. “Beep beep! I’m out of the office until [Date]. I’ll get back to you as soon as I’m back on the road. – A playful way to say you’re away and will return.
40. “Hello! I’m out of the office until [Date]. Thanks for your understanding, and I’ll be in touch soon! – Simple, polite, and appreciative.
These casual messages can help maintain a friendly atmosphere even when you’re not physically present.
Humorous & Witty Messages
Why not inject some laughter into your out-of-office replies? These messages are designed to bring a smile to the reader’s face while still conveying the necessary information.
A touch of humor can make your absence memorable for all the right reasons.
Use these when you want to show off your personality and lighten the mood.
41. “I’m currently out of the office, possibly wrestling a bear or attending a llama-grooming convention, until [Date]. I’ll respond when I’m safely back. – Absurd and funny, it guarantees a chuckle.
42. “I’m out of the office until [Date]. I’ve instructed my email to auto-reply with a picture of a cat if you try to contact me before then. (Just kidding… mostly.) – Playful and self-aware, it uses a common internet trope.
43. “My email is currently on vacation without me, so I’m also out of the office until [Date]. I’ll get back to you when we’re both back. – Personifies the email for a witty effect.
44. “I’m currently out of the office, pursuing my dream of becoming a professional napper, until [Date]. I’ll respond once I’ve been sufficiently recharged. – Relatable and humorous, playing on the desire for rest.
45. “I’ve been sent to the cornfield until [Date]. I’ll get back to you when I’ve escaped. – A classic humorous reference to being sent away.
46. “I’m out of the office on a quest for the perfect cup of coffee until [Date]. I’ll reply once my caffeine levels are optimal. – A lighthearted take on a personal pursuit.
47. “Warning: I am currently out of the office and have left my ‘work’ brain at home. I’ll be back on [Date] with it. – Humorous and acknowledges the mental shift required for a break.
48. “I’m currently out of the office, possibly building a fort out of office supplies, until [Date]. I’ll respond when my architectural masterpiece is complete. – Whimsical and imaginative, perfect for a creative workplace.
49. “I’m out of the office until [Date]. My keyboard is currently gathering dust, and my inbox is plotting its revenge. I’ll be back to tame it soon. – Exaggerated and funny, painting a dramatic picture of absence.
50. “I’m currently out of the office, attending a seminar on ‘Advanced Procrastination Techniques,’ until [Date]. I’ll get back to you when I’ve mastered the art. – Self-deprecating humor that is often appreciated.
51. “I’m out of the office, possibly communing with nature or just staring at a wall, until [Date]. I’ll respond when I’ve achieved enlightenment (or just gotten bored). – Offers a humorous contrast between potential activities.
52. “My email is currently in a witness protection program until [Date]. I’ll be back to receive messages then. – A creative and funny way to say you’re unavailable.
53. “I’m out of the office until [Date]. If you need me, whisper my name into the wind; I might hear you… or I might not. – Playful and slightly dramatic, suggesting a complete disconnect.
54. “I’m currently out of the office, attempting to teach my dog to code, until [Date]. I’ll respond when I have a breakthrough (or give up). – Absurd and amusing, good for a lighthearted environment.
55. “I’m out of the office until [Date]. My inbox is currently on strike, and I’m here to negotiate its return. I’ll get back to you when peace is restored. – A funny analogy for dealing with a backlog.
56. “I’m out of the office, possibly running away to join the circus, until [Date]. I’ll respond when I’ve found my clown car. – Outlandish and entertaining.
57. “I’m currently out of the office, trying to solve the mystery of the missing office snacks, until [Date]. I’ll get back to you once the culprit is apprehended. – A relatable office mystery for a humorous twist.
58. “I’ve temporarily misplaced my ability to respond to emails until [Date]. I’m sending out a search party and will get back to you when it’s found. – Humorous and direct about the lack of response capability.
59. “I’m out of the office, attending a top-secret mission (shhh!), until [Date]. I’ll debrief you on my return. – Creates intrigue and a sense of adventure.
60. “I’m out of the office until [Date]. My out-of-office message is on vacation too. Please try again later. – A meta-joke about the out-of-office message itself.
These witty messages are sure to leave a lasting, positive impression.
Short & Sweet Messages
Sometimes, brevity is best. These messages are designed to be quick, to the point, and easy to understand.
They are perfect for those who prefer minimal text or when you’re in a rush to set up your auto-reply.
These are your go-to for efficiency and clarity without any fuss.
61. “Out of office. Back [Date]. – Ultra-concise, perfect for when you need to be brief.
62. “Away until [Date]. Will reply then. – Simple and direct, sets a clear expectation.
63. “On leave. Return [Date]. – Professional and to the point.
64. “Unavailable until [Date]. – Clearly states current status.
65. “Out of office. Contact [Colleague] for urgent matters. – Provides an alternative for immediate needs.
66. “On vacation. Back [Date]. – Friendly and informative.
67. “Away. Will respond upon return. – Assures a response will be given.
68. “Out until [Date]. Thanks! – Polite and concise.
69. “Leave. Return [Date]. – Very brief, suitable for internal communications.
70. “Out of office. See you [Date]. – Casual and friendly.
71. “Away. Back soon. – Implies a short absence.
72. “On break. Will reply later. – Simple and reassuring.
73. “Out of office. Urgents to [Colleague]. – Efficiently handles urgent requests.
74. “Leave until [Date]. – Direct and informative.
75. “Away from desk. Back [Date]. – Specifies the absence from the immediate workspace.
76. “Out. Will respond when back. – Very basic, gets the message across.
77. “On leave until [Date]. – Clear and professional.
78. “Out of office. Be back soon. – Optimistic and concise.
79. “Away. Will get back to you. – Promises a follow-up.
80. “On vacation until [Date]. – Simple and clear vacation notice.
These concise messages ensure your status is communicated effectively with minimal effort.
Messages with Specific Instructions
Sometimes, your absence requires more than just a date. These messages include specific instructions for colleagues or clients to follow.
They help manage expectations and ensure that critical tasks are handled correctly while you’re away.
These are essential for maintaining workflow and minimizing disruption.
81. “I am out of the office until [Date]. For immediate assistance with [Specific Project/Task], please contact [Colleague’s Name] at [Colleague’s Email]. – Directs urgent needs for a specific project to the right person.
82. “Thank you for your email. I am out of the office until [Date]. Please note that I will not have access to email during this time. For urgent matters, please call [Phone Number]. – Clearly states lack of email access and provides a phone number for emergencies.
83. “I am currently on leave until [Date]. If your matter is urgent and requires immediate attention, please forward your email to [Colleague’s Email] with ‘URGENT’ in the subject line. – Provides a clear protocol for urgent emails.
84. “I will be out of the office from [Start Date] to [End Date]. Please direct all inquiries regarding [Specific Department/Product] to [Colleague’s Name] at [Colleague’s Email]. – Assigns responsibility for a specific area of work.
85. “I am out of the office until [Date]. I will be responding to emails upon my return. If you need to reach me before then, please use [Alternative Communication Method, e.g., Slack DM]. – Offers an alternative communication channel if absolutely necessary.
86. “Thank you for your message. I am out of the office until [Date]. For any critical issues related to [Key Client/Account], please contact [Colleague’s Name] directly. – Ensures key client needs are met by a designated person.
87. “I am out of office until [Date]. Please hold non-urgent requests until my return. For urgent matters, contact [Colleague’s Name] or visit our FAQ page at [Link]. – Encourages patience for non-urgent matters and provides multiple options for urgency.
88. “I am currently on a retreat and will have limited access to email until [Date]. I will respond to all messages upon my return. For immediate assistance, please contact [Colleague’s Name]. – “Retreat” implies unavailability, and the instruction is clear.
89. “Out of office until [Date]. Please do not send attachments greater than [Size Limit] as my inbox is being monitored for critical updates only. – A specific instruction to manage inbox load.
90. “I am out of the office until [Date]. For any requests that require immediate processing, please use our online portal at [Link] or contact [Colleague’s Name]. – Directs users to self-service options or another contact.
91. “I’m out of the office until [Date] and will be offline. Please escalate urgent requests to [Colleague’s Name] and mark your email ‘URGENT: [Your Name] Out of Office’. – A specific subject line instruction helps the interim contact identify relevant emails.
92. “I am out of the office until [Date]. If your request is time-sensitive and cannot wait until my return, please forward your email to [Colleague’s Name] with a brief explanation of the urgency. – Asks for a brief explanation to help prioritize urgent requests.
93. “Thank you for your email. I am out of the office until [Date]. Please note that I will be unable to respond to non-urgent emails until my return. For immediate assistance, please contact [Colleague’s Name]. – Clearly distinguishes between urgent and non-urgent.
94. “I am out of the office until [Date]. All project-related inquiries should be directed to [Project Manager’s Name] until further notice. – Assigns responsibility for all project-related items.
95. “I am out of office until [Date]. Please refrain from sending follow-up emails; I will address all messages upon my return. Urgent matters can be directed to [Colleague’s Name]. – Discourages unnecessary follow-ups while providing an urgent contact.
96. “I am out of the office until [Date]. For any technical support needs, please contact our IT department at [IT Email/Phone]. – Directs specific types of inquiries to the correct department.
97. “I will be out of the office until [Date]. Please submit all new requests through our ticketing system at [Link]. – Encourages the use of a formal system for tracking requests.
98. “I am out of the office until [Date]. If your request pertains to [Specific Topic], please reach out to [Colleague’s Name] who is covering for me. – Clearly defines the scope of coverage for a colleague.
99. “I am out of the office until [Date]. For urgent issues, please call [Phone Number]. For non-urgent matters, I will respond upon my return. – Provides a tiered approach to communication based on urgency.
100. “Thank you for your email. I am out of the office until [Date]. Please expect a delayed response. For immediate needs, contact [Colleague’s Name] or reply to this email with ‘URGENT’ in the subject line. – Offers two clear options for immediate needs.
These detailed messages ensure that while you’re away, your work is managed effectively and according to plan.
There you have it – a comprehensive list to help you craft the perfect out-of-office message.
Remember, the goal is to inform clearly while maintaining a tone that suits you and your workplace.
Whether you’re aiming for professional, friendly, or funny, we hope you found inspiration here!
Now go enjoy your leave, knowing your communications are handled!