Set your personal email out of office message to reflect when you will return and if it is an emergency who they can reach.
This message is really long. I’d probably just hit delete and try to get in touch with someone else.
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Thanks for the email!. I’m currently out of my office and will be back at 11th of May. I will have very limited or no access to my email.
When Amy Spurling, cofounder of the company perks software company Compt, went on vacation, she ended her message with a clear direction about who to contact: “If you need immediate help, please contact [name and email address]. I will be responding to all emails on my return.”
Unfortunately, I’m going to have to return your message. As it’s the holiday season, I’m currently away from the office. When I return, I’ll give your email a good solid read and find that your request is exactly what I needed after all! But until then, I’m going to keep it in the inbox so it doesn’t get damaged and revisit it after the holidays are over.
Thank you for your mail, I am currently out of the office on annual leave, returning October 12th. If your inquiry is urgent, please reach out to (YOUR COLLEAGUE’SNAME);[email protected] for sales/channel-related issues or (YOUR COLLEAGUE’SNAME);[email protected] for technical related questions.
We promise the world will not end while our offices are closed and encourage you cherish this time with your families and friends!
If you depend on iCloud emails, you can set the vacation response right from your iCloud Email Settings. Log in to www.icloud.com and select the Mail. Once you open the mail app on the browser, click on the Settings icon from the left bottom of the sidebar.
Thanks for your email. I’m currently out of the office, returning on [date]. I’ll respond to your message then.
Careful. Holiday revelry and debauchery ahead. Proceed with caution (if you dare).
The only thing that isn’t boilerplate in mine is the inclusion of “But what if I have a word emergency?” before the who to contact stuff. I removed it at one point and people asked me to put it back in because it made them smile. And yep, we’re writers so the only emergencies we deal with are ones related to words.
Related PostsFirst Grown Up Job Guide: Preparing for annual leaveHow to Survive the First Day Back at the Office After a HolidayHow to take guilt free annual leaveThe Perfect OOO Templates for Christmas Break
Yep. When I was at an on-call job and sometimes had to check email while I was off it was a little more tailored; I would specify whether I had access to email or not, and give more detailed info on who to contact for what if I didn’t. Nowadays this is fine. And fine for me on the other end as well. I just need the relevant info, it’s not remotely a big deal if someone’s out.
“There is something especially cruel about advocating for your boundaries while disrespecting other peoples.”
The funny and charming email template below keeps the confidence of your colleagues with a list of things anyone who works in an office is thankful for. Of course, feel free to customize this list according to the quirks of your own workplace. Thanksgiving is the perfect time to reveal them.
Oh man, I mostly loved my European colleagues, but the “we were gone for a month, why haven’t you done more?” made me so, so stabby. That or the whole “hey, you really need to work harder to get this done by June 25th because none of us are going to be around to take care of our part by July 1.” So, I’m working 65 hour weeks for a month so you don’t have to spend 8 hours of your vacation working? Sounds fair.
Note: If you don't see Automatic Replies, use Rules and Alerts to set up your out-of-office message.