Because of this, typical out-of-office replies will often split the difference between our hopes and fears and say something like: “I’m out of the office and can be reached but if you need assistance right away, please contact x person.”
Our office will remain closed from [date] to [date] for the New Year celebrations. We assure you that all your emails will be responded as soon as we are back to the office. Happy New Year!
.
I have a colleague that does this with their voicemail. Almost always forgets to change the message once they’re back in so if you call, say, on Thursday, June 3, and you get their voicemail, you will hear how the person is out of the office from May 24 to 26 and who to call while the person is away.
As a result, our text-based work communication has morphed into a series of strange, stilted, passive aggressive, and performatively upbeat exchanges. Much of the actual text of work email exchanges is ornamental filler language filled with exclamation points and phrases like “just looping back on this” that mask burnout, frustrated obligation, and sometimes outright contempt (the absolute best example of this is a wonderful 2015 post titled, “Just Checking In,” where writers Virginia Heffernan and Paul Ford write fake emails in this vein to see who can cause the other the most panic).
I’m glad I’m not the only one who thought it was funny and not annoying! I’m with Alison that it’s probably just a little wordy, but there’s no problem with the humor.
Changing it every evening is definitely too much, though. I would assume the vast majority of people sending business email understand the concept of working and non-working hours…
I know you probably don’t want to hear this, but I’m on holiday. I won’t be able to connect with you until [date]. However, there’s good news too: my colleague [Name] will help you with pleasure.
Work LifeWork LifeWhy leaders aren’t powerful without this 1 thingWork LifeThis is what’s really behind the Great ResignationWork LifeWhy people believe false information and how to combat it, according to experts
I emailed this person 3 times and never got a response. Thankfully they weren’t upset when we moved forward without their input.
For Focus Menu Apply Visit Study Request Info Give COVID-19 | Explore Future Students Current Students Parents & Families Alum Community Athletics Performances & Exhibitions Why Willamette Colleges & Schools Academic Majors & Programs Campus Life Undergraduate School of Arts & Sciences Graduate School of Law Graduate School of Management (MBA) All Graduate Programs Academic Calendar Administrative Offices Colleges & Schools Bookstore Campus Life Libraries Student Accounts Undergraduate Student Resources Law Student Affairs MBA Student Affairs Student Health Student Resources Parent & Family Resources Parents of Prospective Students Tuition, Aid & Scholarships Academic Calendar Visit Campus Campus Safety Student Health Why Willamette Alum Hub Events/Programs WU Stream Alum Awards WU Stream Contact Us Update Info Events Hallie Ford Museum of Art Arts at Willamette News Media Resources Athletics Home Ticket Information Facilities Recruiting Athletics News Bearcat Store Arts Calendar Music Performances Theatre Performances Hallie Ford Museum of Art Exhibits Student Art Exhibits Grace Goudy Distinguished Artists Series Theatre33 Visiting Artists Willamette University | People Willamette People Apply Visit Study Give COVID-19 My Willamette Explore Future Students Why Willamette Colleges & Schools Academic Majors & Programs Campus Life Undergraduate School of Arts & Sciences Graduate School of Law Graduate School of Management (MBA) All Graduate Programs Academic Calendar Administrative Offices Bookstore Campus Life Libraries Student Accounts Undergraduate Student Resources Law Student Affairs MBA Student Affairs Student Health Student Resources Parent & Family Resources Parents of Prospective Students Tuition, Aid & Scholarships Academic Calendar Visit Campus Campus Safety Student Health Why Willamette Athletics Home Ticket Information Facilities Recruiting Athletics News Bearcat Store Arts Calendar Music Performances Theatre Performances Hallie Ford Museum of Art Exhibits Student Art Exhibits Grace Goudy Distinguished Artists Series Theatre33 Visiting Artists
This is hilarious. I always read those kinds of efficiency hacks and think “wow, I wish I had the kind of job that let me set hard, weird boundaries for myself that inconvenience everyone else,” and now I learn that I apparently could have just asserted it without it being appropriate at all.
If you're going to be away on medical leave for an illness or a medical procedure and you're going to be gone for a while recovering, you should add this in your out of office email (if you feel comfortable with it). The reason is so your contacts can accord you the needed privacy to heal. This is entirely optional though, if you don't feel comfortable including it, you can leave it out. Hello, Thank you for reaching out. I am currently out of the office on medical leave from September 7 to August 1. I'll be checking my emails intermittently, but in case of an emergency, please send an email to [email protected] or call her on 123-456-7890. Thank you for understanding. Jaden Kruger 7. Temporary Out-of-Office Email for Holidays
This message is automated because I won’t be in the office until [DATE]. I will get back to you as soon as possible when I’m back at the office.
Also, IMO, it’s putting the burden of knowing and managing your schedule on the other person. You expect them to be paying enough attention to you to remember when you come back and to resend their request. That’s not reasonable.
New York JobsSan Francisco JobsSeattle JobsEngineering JobsMarketing JobsInformation Technology Jobs
I say this as someone who used to have a chronic problem keeping up with my personal voicemails. But I got voicemail transcription set up so I can read them now, because just ignoring important phone calls has consequences. I can’t imagine trying to just duck them in a professional job where I had a phone number, and therefore an expectation that people can call me!
In my much, MUCH younger days, I printed out a photo of a cruise ship with an arrow and “I am here” pasted on it and taped it to my monitor…