We’re all used to the classic out of office messages — you’ve probably read so many of them that your eyes start to glaze over. But the working world is changing, and there’s nothing wrong with getting a little (or a lot!) creative with your out of office auto responses.
When it comes to crafting the ideal vacation responder, follow a few general rules: Keep them short, always include your return date, and if your office is open, include an emergency contact who’ll be available. But gone are the days of stilted, robotic messages. It’s time to add a bit of fun.
These templates range in tone — use your judgment: What’s appropriate at the hip marketing agency probably won’t fly at a law firm. Remember that jokes work best when they punch up, and keep them clean and work-friendly.
Enjoy your OOO time!
1. The Basic with a Twist
Hey there,
Thanks for reaching out! I’ll be out of the office from August 15 until September 1. While I’m away, please direct any urgent questions to [email]. Otherwise, I’ll be in touch once I’m back from outer space.
Thanks!
[Your name]
2. The Holiday
Hello,
Happy 4th of July! If you’re getting this message, it’s because I’m currently supervising the grill in the backyard. Our office is closed until Monday, July 7.
I’ll be in touch once the fireworks have burned out and all of the hotdogs have been eaten (July 7).
Enjoy,
[Your name]
3. The Summer Friday
Hi there,
Our office is closed on Fridays during the summer to allow our team some much-deserved relaxation. If you’re getting this message, it’s because I’m either:
- Hiking with my family
- Reorganizing my drawers until everything is in perfect and satisfying grids
- Doing an all-day cooking project
- Napping
- Reading an entire book cover-to-cover in one sitting
I’ll be in touch on Monday morning.
Have a great weekend!
[Your name]
4. The Overwhelmed Boundary-Setter
Hi,
I hope this email finds you well. I have utterly lost control of my inbox and am instituting a new rule for email: I will only check my inbox at 9:00 a.m., noon, and 3:00 p.m
If your email is urgent, rest assured I will see it within just a few hours. Please do not text me.
Thanks for your understanding,
[Your name]
5. The World Is Ending
Hello,
In the midst of *looks around and waves at the general state of the world* all that, I have taken myself on a small vacation. I will be away from my email from August 15 to September 1.
Urgent requests should go to [email]. Otherwise, you’ll hear from me when I’m back online on September 1 — hopefully reinvigorated and ready to take on this world of ours.
With hope,
[Your name]
6. The Sales Pitch
Hi!
Thanks for your email. I’m out of the office until September 1, and if you have an emergency, please contact [email].
In the meantime, why not check out our summer specials?
[Link + graphic]
And since I’m keeping you waiting, I have something extra for you: Use the code OUTOFOFFICE on any purchase from our store for an extra 10% off.
Talk to you soon!
[Your name]
7. The Brutally Honest
Hi there,
Thanks for reaching out. I’m out of the office from August 15–September 1. While I am still on Earth with service and wifi and will obviously have access to email, I won’t be responding to the vast majority of messages I receive. I am prioritizing time away from work for these two weeks, and I will be marking emails as unread so that I can deal with them when I’m back in the office.
In an emergency, please do not text me. Contact [email] — she can handle anything.
Off to zipline,
[Name]
8. The Group OOO
9. The Something Cool Consolation Prize
Hi!
I’m out of the office until September 1. I’ll be checking email periodically, but you likely won’t hear from me until I’m back. For urgent requests, contact [email].
In case you’re impatient, here’s something to entertain you while you’re waiting for a response!
I loved this article on [subject + link], I can’t stop listening to [song name + link], and this [game name + link] has me totally addicted.
Talk soon!
[Your name]
And don’t worry about copying them down, we’ve compiled them for you here.