Taking a much-needed vacation is a joy for any working professional seeking time to rest and recharge. While you may love what you do, there’s nothing like a well-deserved break to rediscover what matters most.
However, one necessary–but challenging–step you must take before you can sign off and detach yourself from the office for your vacation: preparing your out-of-office message. Vacation auto-replies must outline important information about your break while showing your personality and fitting your work environment.
Instead of sitting in front of your screen struggling to come up with out-of-office emails, consider some of our favorite out-of-office message templates to set up your next vacation effortlessly. From professional to casual and humorous ideas, here are some replies you can copy and paste for your next scheduled break.
Knowing Your Audience and What to Include
You must know who you’re writing for before creating the perfect out-of-office message/vacation auto-reply template. Different styles will suit different audiences–for instance, if you’re writing a reply for your higher-ups and want to keep things professional, you’ll need to tailor your message differently than if you’re writing to colleagues, you’re friendly with.
Before choosing from the templates below, remember to always include the following details in your out-of-office email:
- Start date of your vacation
- The date you’ll be returning to work
- The name and contact information of a coworker that people can reach out to in your absence
- Any details essential to how the recipient performs their job and daily responsibilities
The Classic Professional Style
If you’re writing for a strictly-professional audience, consider the following classic template:
I am out of the office from [start date] until [return date]. For urgent matters and immediate assistance, please direct your questions to [Coworker’s Name] at [Coworker’s email]. I will review all of your messages upon my return and respond accordingly. I look forward to reconnecting soon.
Keeping it Casual
For a simple out-of-office message that doesn’t sound too professional, use the following template:
Thank you for your email! I am out of the office until [return date] and cannot access my email. While I’m out exploring new adventures, feel free to hit up [Coworker’s name] at [Coworker’s email or phone] with all of your questions! They’ll ensure everything goes smoothly in my absence and that all major questions make their way to me. Until then, I’m back to exploring and relaxing. Cheers!
Simple and Concise
Would you prefer to keep your out-of-office message/vacation auto-reply short and to the point? Here’s a quick reply you can copy and paste to let your coworkers know about your absence:
Hello, I am out of the office until [return date.] Please contact [Coworker’s name] at [Coworker’s email] for assistance.
Make it Light and Humorous
The beauty of out-of-office emails is that you can take them in any direction you want if it fits your work environment. If you’re going for a casual and lighthearted tone, consider the following humorous out-of-office message:
Greetings! You’ve stumbled across my auto-reply email, which can only mean one thing: I’m out of the office, harnessing my inner couch potato and basking in the glory of a well-deserved break. Rest assured, you won’t be alone while I sit on the couch binging shows and snacking from [Start date] to [Return date]. Feel free to direct all your questions to [Coworker’s name] at [Coworker’s email] during this time for any pressing matters. For now, I’m back to the small screen. See you back in action soon!
For Family Vacations
Are you taking time off work to spend with your family? Let your colleagues know in your out-of-office message for a personal twist on the classic auto-reply:
Thank you for your email. I am away from [Start date] to [Return date], spending some much-needed vacation time with my family. While rides and adventures await, my email will be left unattended. Please connect with [Coworker’s name] during my absence at [Coworker’s email]. They will be able to help you with everything you need! Now, it’s time to return to my family and see where our journey takes us next. I will respond to all messages upon my return. Until then, work hard!
Keep it Mysterious
If you want to keep your out-of-office message on the humorous side without giving too much away, keep it mysterious with the following template:
You’ve stumbled upon a mystery waiting to be solved. As you read this, I’m venturing into unknown realms beyond the office walls. From [Start date] to [Return date], I will be out of the office, immersed in a secret adventure. During my absence, my inbox will be protected by a trusted ally who ensures your messages are received and understood. Should you need immediate assistance, I’ll give you a clue: contact [Coworker’s name] at [Coworker’s email] to learn more. Where am I? What will I be doing? That’s for me to know. Good luck guessing until my return!
Brag About It
Let’s face it: when you take a vacation from work, you’re the envy of the office. If you’re writing for an audience that can take a workplace joke, don’t be afraid to point out the obvious and gloat a little in your out-of-office email:
You’ve come across my out-of-office email, which means I’m thankfully free! From [Start date] to [Return date], I’ll be away from work, leaving chaos behind for pure relaxation. Try not to miss me too much while I sip drinks by the pool and kick back on the couch. Though things might not feel the same in my absence, rest assured that I have a reliable person you can count on during this difficult time. Reach out to [Coworker’s name] at [Coworker’s email] for all your pressing questions while I continue indulging in glorious laziness. It’ll be your turn eventually!
Find More Travel Tips and Resources
Looking forward to a smooth and relaxing break from work? There’s more to your trip than planning an out-of-office email. Find more travel tips and resources to plan your next vacation from our blog today!