Out of Office Message Examples to Copy

Out of office message examples for vacation, sick days, leave and focus time, plus short messages for stepping away from chat. Copy, edit and send.

A good out of office message answers three questions: when you are away, when you will be back, and who to contact if something cannot wait. Keep it short and factual. You do not need to apologize or explain why you are away. Below are out of office examples you can copy, plus short messages for stepping away from chat during the day.

What should an out of office message include?

The dates you are away. Include the day you are back, not just the day you leave.
Whether you will reply. Say if you will answer messages when you return, or if people should resend anything important.
Who to contact instead. Give a name and email for anything urgent, if there is someone.
Nothing extra. Leave out long apologies and details about where you are.

Clear, literal information helps every reader. Someone who takes words literally knows exactly when to expect a reply. Someone who worries about tone is not left wondering if they did something wrong.

Out of office message examples

1. Simple out of office message

Thank you for your email. I'm out of the office from Monday, December 22 to Friday, January 2, and will be back on Monday, January 5. I'll reply to messages when I return.

For anything urgent, please contact Jordan Lee at jordan@example.com.

2. Vacation out of office message

Hi, thanks for your message. I'm on vacation until Monday, August 18, with no access to email. I'll reply when I'm back.

If it can't wait, please contact Sam Patel at sam@example.com.

3. Sick day out of office message

Thanks for your email. I'm out sick today and will reply when I'm back. For anything urgent, please contact Alex Chen at alex@example.com.

You do not need to share more than this. "Out sick" is enough.

4. Out of office for a holiday

Thanks for reaching out. Our office is closed for the holiday on Thursday, November 26 and Friday, November 27. I'll reply when I'm back on Monday, November 30.

5. Parental leave or longer absence

Thank you for your email. I'm on leave until March 2. I won't be checking email during this time, and messages won't be forwarded.

For project questions, please contact Morgan Diaz at morgan@example.com. For anything else, please resend your message after March 2.

Why it works: it is clear that email will not be read, so people know to resend anything important.

6. Conference or work travel

Thanks for your message. I'm at a conference until Thursday, May 14, with limited access to email. I'll reply by Monday, May 18. For anything urgent, please contact Riley Brooks at riley@example.com.

7. Focus time or limited availability

Thanks for your email. I'm working on a deadline this week and checking messages once a day, at around 4pm. I'll reply within one working day. If something is urgent, please call me at the number in my signature.

Why it works: it sets a clear, predictable expectation, which reduces follow-ups and worry on both sides.

8. Out of office for a client-facing role

Hello, and thank you for contacting us. I'm out of the office until Wednesday, July 9. Your message has been received, and I'll reply when I'm back.

For order questions, please contact our support team at support@example.com, available Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm Eastern.

9. Out of office with no backup

Thanks for your message. I'm out of the office until Tuesday, April 7, and will reply when I return. If your message is time-sensitive, please include the deadline in your subject line and I'll prioritize it when I'm back.

How do you say you are stepping away during the day?

Not every absence needs an auto-reply. For short breaks, a quick chat message or status update is enough. The key is the same: say when you will be back.

Stepping away for a short time:

Stepping away for 30 minutes. Back at 2:30.

Taking a focus block:

Heads-down on the report until 3pm. I'll check messages after that. If something's urgent, call me.

Logging off for the day:

Logging off for today. I'll pick up any messages tomorrow at 9.

Needing a break during a hard conversation:

I'd like to take a short break and come back to this at 4pm, so I can give it proper thought.

Unexpected absence:

Something's come up and I need to step away for the rest of the day. I'll reply to everything tomorrow morning. Jordan can help with anything urgent.

These are short on purpose. A clear return time stops people from guessing, and saves them from sending "are you there?" messages.

Try it: one message, two readings

The message as written:
"Gotta run, talk later."

How it could be misread:
One reader may wonder if they said something wrong. Another may wait for a reply that day, when "later" meant tomorrow.

A version that works for both people:
"I need to step away now. I'll pick this up tomorrow morning. Nothing's wrong, I just have to leave early today."

What should you avoid in an out of office message?

Instead of	Try	Why
"I'll be back soon."	"I'll be back on Monday, January 5."	A real date sets clear expectations.
"Sorry for any inconvenience!"	(Leave it out.)	Being away is normal and needs no apology.
"I'll have limited access to email."	"I'll check email once a day" or "I won't check email."	Says what will actually happen.
Listing several people to contact	One name for urgent matters	Easier for the reader.
Long explanations of where you are	"I'm out of the office."	Short is clear and private.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should an out of office message say?

When you are away, when you are back, whether you will reply to messages, and who to contact for anything urgent. Keep it to two or three short sentences.

Do I need to say why I'm out of the office?

No. "I'm out of the office" is complete on its own. You can say "on vacation" or "out sick" if you like, but you do not have to.

How do I write a professional out of office message?

Use full dates, give one contact for urgent matters, and say whether you will reply on your return. Avoid jokes and long apologies, especially if clients or people outside your team will see it.

What is a good out of office message for a sick day?

"I'm out sick today and will reply when I'm back. For anything urgent, please contact [name] at [email]." Nothing more is needed.

How do I tell my team I'm stepping away for a while?

Send a short message with when you will be back, for example: "Stepping away for 30 minutes. Back at 2:30." If you will be gone longer, say who can help in the meantime.

BRYGE AI's Step Away Notice mode helps you write a short, clear message about being away that does not feel abrupt. Try it free.