Whether you're sick, away on training, or somewhere sunny, you'll need to set up an automated out of office reply, for colleagues and clients alike. Most people tend to go with the basic (boring) formula of apologising, redirecting the person to a colleague who might be able to help them, and providing the date of your return. Yawn. We've scoured the internet and gathered 10 of our favourite out of office responses, to give you a little inspiration for your own.
Whilst these funny out of office messages will help alert people you’re away, we know how difficult it can be to return after a break, when you still have hundreds of emails to sift through. Try heading back into your office and catching up with your team face to face on your return, you could even book a meeting room to run through updates you’ve missed whilst away. It will make getting back up to speed a lot less stressful for sure…
1. The guilt trip
Wherever you go on holiday, you'll probably have access to the internet at some point. You might want to acknowledge this in your out of office reply- but it's also worth forcing the sender to question if what they’re getting in touch about is really worth interrupting your holiday. Set up a heartfelt message to get them to reconsider their spamming…
I am currently out of the office on holiday.
I know I'm supposed to say that I'll have limited access to my emails and won't be able to respond until I return, but that's not true. My iPhone will be with me and I can respond if I need to. I recognise that I'll probably need to interrupt my break from time to time to deal with anything urgent that drops in.
That said, I promised my partner that I’m going to try to disconnect, to enjoy our long-awaited holiday as much as possible. So, I'm going to experiment with something new. I'm going to leave the decision in your hands:
- If your email truly is urgent and you need a response while I'm away, please resend it to interruptyourvacation@yourcompanyname.com and I'll try to respond to it promptly.
- If you think someone else at Your Company Name might be able to help you, feel free to email my assistant, XXX, and she'll try to point you in the right direction.
Otherwise, I'll respond when I return.
Warmest regards...
2. The Emoji Code
Who doesn't love a bit of decoding? Why use words, when emojis can spell out exactly what you want to say? (Said no poet, ever.) Leave a fun little interactive out of office to keep your colleagues occupied in your serviced office during your absence.
Image Source: Orega
3. Settle the Office Debate
An out of office response represents a prime opportunity to settle whatever the current office debate is, in time for your return. Whether you work in a serviced office with your team or in a co-working space with others - one thing remains a constant: a debate unites the office like nothing else. You can fight over the best crisp flavour, cats versus dogs, or which Die Hard film reigns supreme. Integrating a poll into your out of office will perk people up and add a little personality to your auto-reply.
Sorry I missed you. I'll be out of the office and slow to respond until after the break. While I have you though, help settle an argument amongst my colleagues…
- Which is the best Die Hard movie?
- Die Hard 1: The Office Christmas Party Gone Wrong.
- Die Hard 2: Airport Conspiracy.
- Die Hard 3: Samuel L. Jackson. Enough said.
- Die Hard 4: Cyberthreat.
- Die Hard 5: Don’t even think about it.
- Impossible! That’s like choosing a favourite child!
4. The Threat of Deletion
The perfect way to reduce the sheer volume of emails that you'll return to, with a little anarchy, to keep it interesting…
I’m on annual leave until dd/mm/yyyy. I will allow each sender one email over this period. If you send me multiple emails, I will randomly delete them until there’s only one remaining. Choose wisely. Please note that you have already sent me one email.
5. Honesty’s the Best Policy
If you’re the Type A personality who can't ever fully switch off from work, just be honest about it!
I'll be out of the office on holiday for the next week. I’ll probably see your message because I don't know how to relax and I’ll probably respond if I feel that I need to or can help you in any way. Otherwise, I'll get back to you when I return.
Thanks!
6. Cut to the Chase
Let's be real, the majority of the emails you’ll come back to will be spammy marketing drivel, with any legitimately important emails getting lost amongst the deluge. A gentle reminder to get in touch when you’re back in the office will allow you to cull the ‘box without worrying about missing stuff.
I'm out of the office from dd/mm to dd/mm and I will not be checking my emails. It's likely your note will be swallowed in a sea of inbox banality, never to be seen again. If you require a response, please resend your email when I’m back. For any urgent issues, please contact name@emailaddress.co.uk.
7. The Bragger
A well-deserved holiday deserves a substantial out of office message that really hammers home the fact that they're still working, while you're off on your travels. Make it nice and descriptive to really paint the picture, and turn them green with envy.
Konnichiwa,
Thanks for your email. I’m currently holidaying in Japan and won’t be able to respond until dd/mm.
Whilst I explore all this great country has to offer (sushi, Mount Fuji, cherry blossom, sake, temples, etcetera), you should direct any urgent enquiries to name@emailaddress.co.uk.
Sayōnara!
8. The Holiday Stress Head
Some people don’t ever switch off. The various highs and lows of the stress which precedes, dominates and follows a holiday has been neatly captured here, in graph form. Use your out of office to give people an insight into the way your (stress) head works while you try (and fail) to relax.
Image Source: Twitter
9. Time Maths
Maybe you're the globetrotter who’s still available on email, just in a different time zone. Should you like to give the impression that your business is in fact located in the UK, invest in one of our virtual offices. And for the people who might not know you’re always on the move, try the following…
Morning! Or, is it evening?
I’m in LA from dd/mm until dd/mm, so my email replies may be a little delayed due to the curvature of the earth, the sun, you know, science and stuff.
Thanks!
10. Make a Lasting Impression
If you're leaving your job for good, use your favourite book or film to make someone smile. Potterheads might like to memorialise Dobby’s emancipation and go for 'Master gave Dobby a sock... Dobby is a free elf'. Arnold Schwarzenegger fans are well-acquainted with the power of a 'Hasta la vista, baby'. Or channel F. Scott Fitzgerald with the iconic last line from The Great Gatsby: ‘So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past’. Classy. Whatever you go for, don’t burn any bridges - at least until they’ve given you a glowing reference!
Tickled by our out of office suggestions? Looking for more brilliant business solutions? Get in touch to find out more about our serviced office offering, we could have the perfect solution for your business, no matter the size. Get in touch today.
