50+ Out of Office Messages You’ll Actually Want to Copy
“I’m Not Around… But You’ll Be Just Fine”
Most out-of-office (OOO) messages sound like they were written by a bored robot who once took a corporate writing class in 2002.
But it doesn’t have to be that way. Whether you’re heading off on a beach vacation, working remotely in the mountains, or just trying to avoid Slack for 3 days, the right OOO message can:
- Show personality
- Set expectations
- And most importantly, do not annoy the person reading it
I’ve collected 50+ out-of-office message examples that range from polite to funny, and many special scenarios like holidays or maternity leave.
Feel free to copy, tweak, or just steal the entire message!
Short Out-of-Office Messages
1. Away right now, back soon. Talk to you after [date].
2. Thanks for your message. I’m out and will reply after [date].
3. Out of office till [date]. Will respond ASAP when I’m back.
4. I’m away from email right now. Back on [date].
5. I’m currently OOO. I’ll respond shortly after [date].
Polite Out-of-Office Messages
6. Thank you for reaching out. I’m currently out of office and will return on [date]. I appreciate your patience in the meantime.
7. I hope this message finds you well. I’m currently away from my desk and will reply upon my return on [date].
8. I’m currently unavailable and will get back to you as soon as possible after [date]. Thank you for your understanding.
9. I’m out of the office at the moment. I’ll respond to your email promptly upon my return on [date].
10. Thank you for your message. I’m away right now, but I’ll be sure to respond as soon as I return.
Professional Out-of-Office Messages
11. Thanks for your email. I’m currently out of the office with limited access to email. I’ll be back on [date] and will respond as soon as possible. If it’s urgent, please contact [person you want] at [email address].
12. I’m currently out of the office and will return on [date]. For anything urgent, please reach out to [contact info]. Otherwise, I’ll respond as soon as I can. Thanks for your patience!
13. Thanks for getting in touch. I’m taking a short break and will be away from [start date] to [end date]. During this time, my response will be delayed. If you need immediate assistance, please reach out to [backup contact].
14. I’ll be out of the office until [date]. In my absence, please feel free to contact [colleague] for support: [email]. I’ll catch up on my messages once I’m back.
15. Quick note: I’m currently away and will be back on [date]. I’ll get back to your message as soon as possible after my return. For pressing matters, please reach out to [name, contact info].
Vacation-Specific Out of Office Messages
16. I’m currently out of the office on vacation (yes, real vacation—no laptop involved). I’ll be back on [date] and will reply then. Thanks for your patience!
17. Currently embracing the “off” in out of office. See you on [date]. For urgent needs, [colleague/contact info] is your best bet.
18. I’m OOO, recharging my brain cells. I’ll be back on [return date], but until then, I’m trusting my inbox not to catch fire.
19. Back on [date]. Until then, assume I’m reading fiction, not emails.
20. Thanks for your message. I’m taking a much-needed break and will be offline until [date].
Holiday Out of Office Messages
21. Season’s greetings! I’m currently out of the office enjoying the holidays. I’ll return on [date] and respond as soon as I can.
22. I’m off for the holidays and resisting all digital temptation. Back on [date].
23. I’m currently out for the holidays, baking cookies and dodging group chats. I’ll be back on [date].
24. Happy Holidays! I’m currently OOO and will reply when I return on [date]. For anything urgent, contact [backup contact info].
25. Out of the office until [date]. Wishing you joy, peace, and at least one slice of pie.
Also Read: 30 Great Excuses for Being Late to Work
Medical Leave OOO Messages
26. I’m currently on medical leave and not checking email. I’ll return on [date].
27. Away on health leave. I’ll respond after [return date]. For urgent matters, contact [colleague info].
28. I’m taking some time to rest and recover. I’ll be offline until [date]. Thank You!
29. I’m on medical leave. If this is time-sensitive, please reach out to [contact name/email].
30. Sick day today—please expect a delay in replies. I’ll be back soon.
31. Not in the office today due to illness. If urgent, you can reach [contact info].
32. Out sick—will follow up once I’m better. Thank you for your patience!
Conference/Event OOO Messages
33. I’m attending [Event Name] this week and will be offline from [date] to [date]. I’ll respond when I return, or you can contact [backup name/email] in the meantime.
34. Currently at [Industry Conference] absorbing knowledge, coffee, and too many business cards. Back online [date].
35. I’m away at [Event] and may not respond right away. If it’s urgent, contact [contact info].
36. I’m attending a conference and will return with new ideas (and emails) on [date].
37. Out of office at a conference—back soon! For now, [colleague name/email] can assist.
Also Read: How To Respond to A Declined Invitation?
Partial Leave / Limited Availability
38. I’m working reduced hours this week due to personal commitments. I’ll reply as soon as I can.
39. Available part-time this week (10am–2pm daily). Expect some delays in email replies.
40. I’m partially out of office, focusing on limited projects. If urgent, please flag the subject line.
41. Working lighter hours this week. I appreciate your understanding in case of delayed responses.
42. I’m available in a limited capacity due to [brief explanation, e.g. caregiving, exams]. I’ll reply when I’m next online.
Company-Wide Closure
43. Thanks for reaching out! Our entire team is currently taking a short break and our offices are closed from [Start Date] to [End Date]. We’ll be back, rested and ready, on [Return Date].
44. We’re currently on a scheduled company-wide break and all operations are on hold from [Start Date] to [End Date]. During this time, we won’t be responding to emails. We truly appreciate your patience and promise to catch up once we’re back.
45. Just a quick note to let you know we’re temporarily closed due to a company-wide shutdown. From [Start Date] to [End Date], we’ll be off the grid — no emails, no meetings, just R&R. Feel free to leave a message; I’ll reply as soon as we’re back.
46. We’re currently away due to a scheduled company-wide closure. I’ll be back in action on [Return Date], and your message will be top priority when I return.
47. We’re taking a little breather! The whole company is offline from [Start Date] through [End Date] as part of our scheduled downtime. We’ll reconnect soon with full focus and fresh energy.
Job Transition / Resignation OOO
48. I’m no longer at [Company Name]. For help, reach out to [team or contact].
49. This inbox is no longer active. Please direct your email to [updated contact].
50. I’ve transitioned out of this role. Your best contact moving forward is [Name at Email].
51. I’ve left [Company Name]. For assistance, please reach out to [Contact Name] at [email].
52. I’m no longer with [Company]. You can connect with [new person] at [email] for help.
Funny Out of Office Messages
53. You’ve reached me during my strategic retreat to the land of “do not disturb.” I’ll be back [date] and I might bring snacks.
54. Hello, I’m currently experimenting with an advanced mindfulness technique: delayed email responses. Wait until I come back!
55. OOO until [date]. If it’s important, contact [xyz]. If it’s not, maybe use this time to reflect on your inbox choices.
56. I’m away for a bit and have left my inbox in charge. It’s a little overwhelmed, so send good vibes—I’ll be back to rescue it on [date].
57. I’m currently sorting through a top-secret operation (also known as ‘life’), and replies are running on a slight delay. Thank You!
Also Read: 100+ Laugh-Out-Loud Birthday Wishes for Boss
Conclusion
Most of us overthink our out-of-office message. We want it to sound right, feel right, and somehow cover everything in one neat sentence.
But honestly? It doesn’t have to be that complicated.
A good OOO message is just about setting clear boundaries—and maybe adding a touch of personality.
So the next time you’re about to log off, don’t stress. Just set your message and enjoy the time away. Your inbox will still be there when you get back.
FAQs
1. What exactly is an out-of-office message?
An out-of-office (OOO) message is an automatic email reply that lets people know you’re away and not immediately available to respond. It usually includes your return date and an optional backup contact.
2. Why should I set an out-of-office message?
It helps set clear expectations, maintains professional communication, and shows respect for the sender’s time—especially if they’re waiting on a response.
3. What should I include in an out-of-office message?
Here’s a quick checklist:
- Return date
- Reason (optional)
- Backup contact (if necessary)
- Friendly and professional tone
4. Can I set an out-of-office message for just one day?
Yes! Even if you’re off for a single day, a short OOO message helps manage expectations—especially if people expect quick replies from you.
5. Is it okay to be funny in an OOO reply?
Yes, as long as it matches your role and audience. Just be sure it still communicates when you’ll be back and who to contact if it’s urgent.
6. Do freelancers need out-of-office messages too?
Absolutely. It sets boundaries with clients and prevents misunderstandings about response times.
7. Should I include my phone number in my out-of-office reply?
Only if you’re okay with being contacted during your time off. If not, just refer the sender to someone else or let them know when you’ll be back.
8. Can I schedule an out-of-office message in advance?
Yes. Email platforms like Gmail, Outlook, and others let you set start and end times for automatic replies—so you don’t have to remember at the last minute.
