Out of Office Message Examples, Templates & Setup Guides

Need a quick and professional out-of-office message? Our free Out of Office Message Generator creates customized replies in seconds, ensuring you stay connected and organized, even when you’re away. Simply input your details and generate the perfect message for any occasion.


👤 Your Details
Please enter your name.
🏢 Industry / Role Preset

Select your field — we'll auto-fill appropriate disclaimers, tone, and urgency language.

💼General
⚖️Legal
🏥Healthcare
📈Sales
⚙️Engineering
💹Finance
🎓Education
🎨Marketing
🎧Customer Support
🏛️Executive
📅 Absence Period
✈️ Absence Details
📞 Contacts & Coverage
Who is handling your calendar and meeting requests while you're away?
✍️ Message Style
How to use
  1. Fill in your details — only your name is required.
  2. Pick an industry preset to auto-load relevant tone, disclaimers, and urgency language.
  3. Set your absence period with start + return dates and your time zone.
  4. Add alternative contacts and meeting coverage as needed.
  5. Click Generate and use Regenerate for a fresh variation.
  6. Copy the message and paste it into Gmail, Outlook, or any email client's auto-reply settings.

Essential Out of Office Message Categories

What is an Out of Office Message?

When you’re away from the office, an out-of-office message lets contacts know you’re unreachable by email. This automatic reply informs them of your return date and, optionally, the reason for your absence.

A good out-of-office message includes:

  • Your return date: When they can expect a response.
  • (Optional) Absence reason: Provides context.
  • Contact information for a colleague: Who can assist with urgent matters.

This keeps everyone informed and avoids delays.

Professional Out of Office Message Templates

Still unsure how to craft a professional out-of-office message? Below, we’ve included examples for the most common reasons professionals take time away from work.

ReasonOOO Message
VacationThank you for your email. I am currently out of the office on vacation and will not be checking emails until [date]. For urgent matters, please contact [alternative contact] at [contact information]. Otherwise, I will respond to your email upon my return.
Business tripI am currently out of the office on a business trip and have limited access to email. I will be back in the office on [date]. For immediate assistance, please contact [alternative contact] at [contact information].
Conference attendanceI am currently attending a conference and will not be checking emails regularly. I will return to the office on [date]. For urgent matters, please contact [alternative contact] at [contact information].
Medical leaveI am currently on medical leave and will not be checking emails. I expect to return to the office on [date]. For urgent matters, please contact [alternative contact] at [contact information].
Maternity/Paternity leaveI am currently on maternity/paternity leave and will not be checking emails. I will return to the office on [date]. For any urgent matters, please contact [alternative contact] at [contact information].
BereavementI am currently out of the office due to a family bereavement and will not be checking emails. I will return on [date]. For immediate assistance, please contact [alternative contact] at [contact information].
Jury dutyI am currently serving on jury duty and will not be checking emails. I expect to return to the office on [date]. For urgent matters, please contact [alternative contact] at [contact information].
Training or workshopI am currently attending a training/workshop and will not be checking emails regularly. I will be back in the office on [date]. For immediate assistance, please contact [alternative contact] at [contact information].
Company offsiteI am currently attending a company offsite and will have limited access to email. I will return to the office on [date]. For urgent matters, please contact [alternative contact] at [contact information].
SabbaticalI am currently on a sabbatical and will not be checking emails. I will return to the office on [date]. For any inquiries, please contact [alternative contact] at [contact information].
Personal dayI am out of the office today on a personal day and will not be checking emails. I will respond to your message tomorrow.
Sick dayI am out of the office today due to illness and will not be checking emails. I will respond to your message as soon as I am able.
Moving dayI am out of the office today for moving day and will not be checking emails. I will respond to your message tomorrow.
Family emergencyI am currently out of the office due to a family emergency and will not be checking emails. I will return on [date]. For immediate assistance, please contact [alternative contact] at [contact information].
Mental health dayI am taking a mental health day today and will not be checking emails. I will respond to your message tomorrow.
VolunteeringI am out of the office today volunteering and will not be checking emails. I will respond to your message tomorrow.
Religious holidayI am out of the office today observing a religious holiday and will not be checking emails. I will respond to your message tomorrow.
Public holidayOur office is closed today for the public holiday. I will respond to your email when we reopen on [date].
Remote work with limited availabilityI am working remotely today with limited availability. I will respond to your email as soon as possible.
Technical issuesI am currently experiencing technical issues and may not be able to check emails promptly. I will respond as soon as the issue is resolved.
Power outageDue to a power outage, I am unable to access my email. I will respond as soon as power is restored.
Internet outageDue to an internet outage, I am unable to access my email. I will respond as soon as the connection is restored.
Company-wide shutdownOur company is currently on a shutdown period, and I will not be checking emails. We will resume operations on [date].
End-of-year breakI am currently out of the office for the end-of-year break and will not be checking emails. I will return on [date]. For urgent matters, please contact [alternative contact] at [contact information].
Summer hoursDuring the summer, our office operates on reduced hours. I will respond to your email during our next business hours.
Winter breakI am currently out of the office for the winter break and will not be checking emails. I will return on [date]. For urgent matters, please contact [alternative contact] at [contact information].
Spring breakI am currently out of the office for spring break and will not be checking emails. I will return on [date]. For urgent matters, please contact [alternative contact] at [contact information].
National holidayOur office is closed today for the national holiday. I will respond to your email when we reopen on [date].
Cultural festivalI am out of the office today celebrating a cultural festival and will not be checking emails. I will respond to your message tomorrow.
Unplanned absenceI am unexpectedly out of the office today and will not be checking emails. I will respond to your message as soon as possible.
One Day AbsenceThank you for your message or inquiry. I will be out of the office today and will not be checking email. I will be returning on May 5th. If you require any assistance or have concerns prior to my return, you may reach me at [phone number]. I appreciate your patience and understanding.
Annual LeaveThank you for your email. I am currently on annual leave until [Return Date] and will have limited access to my email. For urgent queries, please contact [Colleague Name] at [Colleague Email]. I look forward to connecting with you upon my return.
Client MeetingThank you for your email. I am currently in back-to-back client meetings and will be out of the office until [Return Date]. For urgent matters, please contact [Colleague Name] at [Colleague Email]. I will get back to you as soon as I can. Thank you for your understanding.

Why Is An Out of Office Message Important?

An out-of-office message lets contacts know why your response will be delayed and how their needs can be addressed while you’re away. This simple courtesy:

  • Maintains professional relationships
  • Sets clear expectations about response times
  • Provides alternative contacts for urgent matters
  • Reduces stress when you return to work

People use out-of-office messages for vacations, conferences, meetings, sick leave, parental leave, and other absences—whether for a few hours or several months.