Out of Office Messages don’t have to be dull and forgettable. A sharp, well-crafted message tells people you’re away and leaves a positive impression. Whether you’re off on vacation, stuck at home sick, or busy at a conference, a clear Out of Office Message keeps everyone in the loop and controls email response delay like a pro.
In this article, you’ll discover how to create Out of Office Messages that are polite, friendly, and yes, even a little funny if that’s your style. From setting up an automatic email reply to sharing backup contact info, you’ll learn how to keep it professional yet personal. Whether you’re using Gmail out-of-office or Outlook automatic reply, the goal stays the same: keep coworkers, clients, and customers informed so your inbox stays manageable while you’re on holiday, sick leave, or remote work. Let’s get started and make your next OOO message one worth copying.
Short Out-of-Office Messages
1. I’m currently away. I’ll reply to emails after [return date].
2. Out of office until [return date]. Will respond once I’m back.
3. Away from my desk with limited email access until [return date].
4. Not available right now. I’ll respond after [return date].
5. I’m out of office messages and back on [return date].
6. Away for a short break. Expect my reply after [return date].
7. I’m OOO. I’ll get back to you after [return date].
Polite Out-of-Office Messages
8. Thank you for your email. I’m out until [return date].
9. I appreciate your message. I’m away and will reply soon.
10. I’m currently out of office messages. Thanks for your patience and understanding.
11. I’m away and will reply to your email after [return date].
12. Thanks for reaching out. I’m out but will respond once back.
13. I’m not available now but will respond promptly after [return date].
14. Your message is important. I’ll reply when I return on [return date].
Professional Out-of-Office Messages
15. I’m out of office messages with limited access. Back on [return date].
16. Out of office messages until [return date]. For urgent matters, contact [backup].
17. I’m currently unavailable. Please reach out of office messages to [colleague] for assistance.
18. I’ll respond after [return date]. Contact [team contact] if urgent.
19. Limited availability until [return date]. Escalate issues to [emergency contact].
20. Out of office due to leave. I’ll reply promptly after [return date].
21. I’m away attending a conference. Contact [delegated support] for help.
Polite Out-of-Office Messages
22. Thank you for your message. I’m currently away and will respond as soon as I return on [return date]. I appreciate your understanding and patience during this time.
23. I appreciate you reaching out. I’m out of the office and will reply to your email promptly after [return date]. Please expect some delay in my response.
24. I’m currently unavailable but will get back to you as soon as possible after [return date]. Thank you for your patience while I’m away from my desk.
25. Thanks for your email. I’m away right now but will respond quickly once I’m back on [return date]. I appreciate your understanding in the meantime.
26. Your message is important to me. I’m out of office messages but will reply as soon as I return on [return date]. Thank you for your patience and consideration.
27. I’m away from my desk and will respond to your email after [return date]. I appreciate your understanding and will get back to you as soon as possible.
28. Thank you for contacting me. I’m currently out of the office and will reply promptly when I return on [return date]. Your patience is greatly appreciated.
Read Also: Top 100+ Ways to Thank Someone for a Memorable Trip
Professional Out-of-Office Messages
29. I am currently out of the office with limited access to email. I will return on [return date] and respond to your message as soon as possible. For urgent matters, please contact [backup contact].
30. Out of office messages until [return date]. If your matter is urgent, please reach out to [backup contact] for immediate assistance. I will reply as soon as I am back.
31. I am currently unavailable and will respond to your email after [return date]. For urgent requests, please contact [colleague] who can assist in my absence.
32. I’ll be out of office messages until [return date]. For immediate help, please contact [colleague]. I will respond to your email as soon as I return.
33. I have limited availability until [return date]. Please direct urgent inquiries to [emergency contact]. I will reply to your email promptly after my return.
34. I’m attending a conference and will have limited access to email until [return date]. Please contact [delegated support] if your request requires immediate attention.
35. Thank you for your email. I’m currently on leave and will respond as soon as I return on [return date]. Please contact [backup contact] for urgent matters.
Vacation-Specific Out of Office Messages
36. I’m currently on vacation with limited or no access to email until [return date]. Thank you for your patience, and I’ll respond promptly when I return.
37. I’m taking some time off for vacation and will not be available until [return date]. I will reply to your email as soon as possible after my return. 38. Out of office messages on vacation until [return date]. Please expect a delay in response as I disconnect and recharge during this time.
39. I’m away on holiday enjoying some time off, and will respond to your email after [return date]. Thank you for your understanding.
40. I am out of office messages for vacation until [return date]. For urgent matters, please contact [backup contact]. I will reply as soon as I’m back.
41. I’m currently taking a break on vacation and will have limited access to emails until [return date]. I appreciate your patience during this time.
42. I’m out enjoying some time off and will return on [return date]. I’ll get back to you as soon as possible once I’m back at work.
Holiday Out of Office Messages
43. I’m out of the office due to the holiday season and will reply to your message after [return date]. Thank you for your understanding.
44. I am currently away for the holidays with limited access to email until [return date]. Please expect a delayed response during this period.
45. I’m out celebrating the holiday season and will respond to your email promptly after I return on [return date]. Thanks for your patience.
46. Out of office for the holiday break until [return date]. Please expect some delay in response. For urgent needs, contact [backup contact].
47. I’m enjoying the holiday season and will reply to your message when I return on [return date]. Thank you for your patience.
48. Due to company-wide closure for the holidays, I have limited email access until [return date]. I’ll respond promptly once back in the office.
49. Thank you for your email. I’m away for the holidays and will respond after [return date]. I appreciate your understanding during this time.
Medical Leave OOO Messages
50. I’m currently on medical leave and have limited access to email until [return date]. I appreciate your patience while I focus on my recovery.
51. Out of office due to medical leave. I will respond to your messages as soon as I’m able after [return date]. Thank you for your understanding.
52. I am away on medical leave and will reply to emails once I return on [return date]. Your patience during this time is appreciated.
53. Taking time off for medical reasons. I am unable to respond promptly but will reply as soon as possible after [return date].
54. I am currently unavailable due to medical leave and will respond when I am able. For urgent matters, please contact [backup contact].
55. Out of office for medical leave until [return date]. Please contact [backup contact] if immediate assistance is needed. I will reply when possible.
56. I am on medical leave and will get back to you once I am able. Thank you for your understanding during this period.
Conference/Event OOO Messages
57. I’m attending a professional conference and will return to emails after [return date]. During this time, my availability will be limited.
58. I’m currently out of the office for an event and will respond after [return date]. Please contact [backup contact] for urgent matters.
59. I’m away attending a conference and may be slow to respond until [return date]. Thanks for your patience and understanding.
60. I’m at a work event with limited email access. I’ll reply after [return date]. Please reach out to [colleague] for immediate support.
61. Out of office for a conference until [return date]. I’ll respond to your message as soon as I’m back.
62. I’m currently attending a conference and won’t be able to respond right away. I’ll reply after [return date].
63. I’m participating in an industry event and will be unavailable until [return date]. Please expect a delay in response.
Partial Leave / Limited Availability
64. I’m on partial leave with limited availability. Responses may be delayed until after [return date].
65. I’m currently working reduced hours and may not respond immediately. Thank you for your patience.
66. I have limited availability due to partial leave. I’ll reply as soon as I can.
67. Working on a reduced schedule right now. I will respond as time permits.
68. My availability is limited during this period. I’ll respond once I’m fully back.
69. I’m partially out of the office and may not reply quickly. Thank you for understanding.
70. I’m on partial leave and checking emails occasionally. Expect response delays until [return date].
Company-Wide Closure
71. Our entire company is currently observing a scheduled closure, and I will not be available to respond to emails during this time. I’ll review and reply to your message once we reopen on [return date]. Your patience is greatly appreciated.
72. Thank you for your email. Due to a company-wide closure, our entire staff is currently out of the office and unable to respond. I’ll get back to you as soon as possible after operations resume on [return date].
73. I’m currently unavailable due to a company-wide shutdown. We’re all off during this period, so I won’t be checking email. I’ll respond to your message promptly after the office reopens on [return date].
74. Our business is temporarily closed for a company-wide holiday. I will not have access to my inbox during this time, but will respond to your email once normal work hours resume on [return date].
75. I’m out of the office during a company-wide closure and won’t be checking messages until we’re back in operation on [return date]. Thank you for your understanding while the entire team takes a short break.
76. We are currently closed as part of a company-wide holiday break. All staff are offline and unavailable during this time. I will return your message once we’re back at work on [return date].
77. Please note that our company is fully closed at the moment. I’m currently unable to access emails and will respond after we reopen on [return date]. Your patience and understanding are truly appreciated.
Job Transition / Resignation OOO
85. I’ve transitioned out of this role and will no longer be checking this inbox. Please contact [new contact name and email] for any work-related matters moving forward.
86. I’ve officially moved on from my position and won’t be responding to messages sent here. For assistance, reach out to [replacement contact] at [email address].
87. I’ve recently resigned from my position, so I won’t be replying to emails. Please contact [new point of contact] for continued support.
88. I’m no longer with the company. For help with anything urgent or ongoing, please email [colleague’s name] at [email address].
89. I’ve transitioned out of this role and will not be monitoring this account. Contact [team contact or support team] for help with current projects.
90. I’ve left my position, and this inbox is no longer active. For any immediate needs, please reach out to [backup contact information].
91. I’m in the middle of a job transition and will not be checking emails. Please reach out to [team or colleague] during this handover period.
Funny Out of Office Messages
92. I’m currently OOO and trying to remember how to relax. I’ll reply once I relearn what email is on [return date].
93. I’m not ignoring you—I’m just embracing the “out” in out of office. I’ll reply after [return date] (unless I join a circus first).
94. I’m away from my inbox and pretending it doesn’t exist. I’ll respond after [return date] when I return from my digital detox.
95. I’m currently OOO on a mission to find the world’s best coffee. I’ll get back to you when I return on [return date].
96. I’m out of office, probably sunburned, and not checking email. I’ll reply after [return date], assuming I survive vacation mode.
97. I’m currently unavailable while I practice my “do not disturb” skills. I’ll respond when I’m done being peacefully unreachable after [return date].
98. I’m off being a professional napper until [return date]. Emails will have to wait.
FAQ’s
When should I set my Out of Office Messages?
Always set your message before stepping away—whether it’s for a vacation, holiday, sick leave, conference, or any scheduled time when you’ll be unreachable by email.
Should Out of Office Messages include a return date?
Yes, adding a return date helps the sender understand when you’ll be back and when they can expect a response or follow-up from you.
Can Out of Office Messages mention a backup contact?
Yes, including a colleague or team contact ensures urgent messages are handled promptly while you’re away and helps maintain workflow without unnecessary delays.
How long should Out of Office Messages be?
They should be brief but informative ideally 2–4 sentences clearly stating your return date, reason for absence, and who to contact during your absence if needed.
Will people outside my company see my Out of Office Messages?
Yes, if you allow external replies in your email settings. Review your preferences in Gmail or Outlook to control who receives automatic replies.
Conclusion
Out of Office Messages You’ll Actually Want to Copy make time away stress free. These Out of Office Messages help you stay polite, professional, and clear. They set expectations and explain your email response delay. Whether you’re on vacation, sick leave, or attending a conference, the right message matters. Good Out of Office Messages save your time and your sender’s time. They show that you’re organized and respectful of others.
From funny replies to formal notes, you now have many Out of Office Messages to choose from. Use them to keep your clients, coworkers, or customers informed. Don’t forget to update your return date and include backup contact info. Out of Office Messages are simple but powerful. With the right tone and details, they keep communication smooth while you’re away. Make yours short, helpful, and human.
