We’ve certainly come a long way since the honeymoon days of You’ve Got Mail, the 1998 Meg Ryan romcom in which each new electronic missive set Tom Hanks’ heart fluttering (and vice versa). These days, in tech circles, you’ll hear tales of folk who’ve set their email servers up to automatically delete unread emails after a week – before going on holiday for a full fortnight. Others have reduced the OOO to a single word in the subject line: “Nope.”
My employer uses Outlook and it has an option to display all OOO messages when you add the person into the To/CC/BCC fields of an email, prior to sending it. It’s pretty great and actually saves an email sometimes because I can see who I should contact and just go to them.
.
I still will get urgent messages from coworkers with multiple follow-ups during my OOO period. Then an angry call or email when I return that the response time was too long. When I check with Jane about the status she says she was never contacted about the issue. I always push back “Why didn’t you contact Jane?” but I think a lot of people in my organization like to shift blame when they are behind on their deadlines. If it was really so urgent, why did you wait a week just to get an answer from me?
One of my reports ***NEVER*** sets their out of office. I have gotten pushback with, “Oh I just check my email while I’m out and forward if it’s important,” (NOT THEIR PLACE, PLUS THEY ARE HOURLY AND LEGALLY SHOULD NOT DO THAT). I have tried to remind which, I think ONCE over the last 6-7 years has worked. I should NOT have to remind someone of this. The one time they actually did it was a NIGHTMARE. Instead of Googling how to do it, they expected me to tell them how.
Hollywood star turned gin distiller Ryan Reynolds showed last summer how the OOO can become a marketing tool. “Thank you for your email and interest in Aviation American Gin! I’m away from my desk at the moment but will respond the moment they give me a desk,” began his first attempt. A few months later, along came another: “This is only my 2nd OUT OF OFFICE REPLY. From what I’m told, it should be short, sweet and NEVER overly personal or emotional.” After TV host Jimmy Fallon asked him to read one out on The Tonight Show, the resulting influx – around 20,000 emails in a single day – to [email protected] melted the small brand’s servers. Fortunately, it also reportedly piqued the interest of retailers and restaurants, keen to start carrying the tipple.
I can see how it would be annoying to some people, but at least it has a bit of personality to it. Maybe I’m just tired of sending so many rote emails in business speak, but I do find it kind of refreshing if only because it’s a different kind of artificiality than I’m used to.
The question last week about “thanks in advance” had me wondering about your thoughts on this person’s manager’s out-of-office reply in this video. I found it to be super condescending and way too much. What do you think? Would be interested in readers’ out-of-office messages.
3. Delayed response templates. If you are working, but can't reply to emails easily, make this clear in your out of office message. This will easily set a sender's response expectations.
Job SearchFinding a JobResumesResume ExamplesCover LettersNetworkingInterviewingJob OfferView all in Job Search >Career PathsExploring CareersCareers in Data and AnalyticsCareers in FinanceCareers in MarketingCareers in SalesCareers in Software EngineeringCareer StoriesCareer ChangeTraining and DevelopmentView all in Career Paths >Succeeding at WorkWork and COVID-19ProductivityGetting AheadWork RelationshipsWork-Life BalanceWorking ParentsRemote WorkMoneyChanging JobsManagementBreak RoomView all in Succeeding at Work >Diversity and InclusionAnti-Racism at WorkLGBTQ at WorkDisability and WorkGender and WorkView all in Diversity and Inclusion >MoreVideosJob Search VideosCareer Advice VideosCareer Story VideosCompany Spotlight VideosIndustry Spotlight VideosEmployer Resources
For any requests you might have, feel free to reach out our [Title] [Name] at [email / phone].
An out of office message shows your professionalism by informing others of your unavailability. Such messages generally include an apology for the inconvenience, a reason for not replying right away, the time the receiver can expect a response and an alternative person they can contact if there is something urgent.
We're talking about engagement here. Do you have a webinar clients can watch in case they miss your face or want to hear your voice? Do you have a special going for new clients or referrals? Do you have a hot new blog post you wrote just before stepping out? Tell your people to click on that!
If you still need to reach me, you can email [email protected]. Or you can email my assistant at [email protected]. They can point you in the right direction.
I no longer work at this company due to the misalignment with advertised company values and actual practice.
If you already have an account, click here to log in. By signing up, you agree to InHerSight's Terms and Privacy Policy
I’ll be sure to reply to your message when I wade through my inbox upon my return. If your message is time-sensitive, please send an email to [Contact Name] at [contact email].
Stay in touch with Orega and receive the latest news, helpful tips and exclusive offers straight to your inbox. Services Serviced Offices Virtual Offices Meeting Rooms Additional IT Services Business Telephony Administration The 'Perfect Move-In' Blog Coronavirus Update Careers LinkedIn YouTube Facebook Instagram Twitter Acceptable Use Policy Terms Of Use Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Visitor Policy FAQ's Risk Assessment T&C's