For one day out, write: "I'm out of the office today, [date], and back tomorrow. For anything urgent, please contact [name] at [email]. I'll reply when I'm back." Name the day, your return and one backup; the reason is optional. Six versions for common reasons are below.
Updated 2026 · Reviewed and rewritten for clarity
One-day out of office messages should be one short paragraph: the date you are out, when you are back, and one person to contact for urgent matters. Skip apologies and long explanations. For a single day, "personal day" is a complete reason.
| Reason | Short version |
|---|---|
| Sick day | "Out sick today, back tomorrow. Urgent: [name] at [email]." |
| Personal day | "Out today on a personal day, back tomorrow." |
| Conference or training | "At [event] today with limited email; back tomorrow." |
| Family event | "Out today for a family commitment, back tomorrow." |
| Teams or Slack status | "Out today, back [day]. Urgent: [name]." |
'Hi, I'm out sick today, back tomorrow. For urgent matters, please contact [backup] at [email]. Otherwise I'll respond first thing tomorrow.'
'Hi, I'm offline today on a personal day, back tomorrow. For urgent matters: [backup] at [email]. For non-urgent, I'll respond tomorrow.'
'Hi, I'm at [conference name] today and have limited email access. For urgent matters: [backup] at [email]. I'll respond to non-urgent emails when I return tomorrow.'
'Hi, I'm in training/CE today and will be back online tomorrow. For urgent matters: [backup]. Otherwise I'll respond first thing tomorrow.'
'Hi, I'm at a family event today and will respond tomorrow. For urgent: [backup] at [email].'
'Hi, I'm taking a wellness day today, back tomorrow. For urgent matters, [backup] at [email] is happy to help. For non-urgent, I'll respond tomorrow.'
(Alternatively: just say 'personal day', both are valid. Some founders are public about mental health days; some prefer privacy. Either is professional.)
Only out for part of the day? Use a half day out of office message instead. To schedule the reply the night before, see setting up out of office in Outlook or in Gmail.
Yes if clients or colleagues expect a same-day reply. It stops people waiting and sends urgent matters to your backup.
No. "Out of the office today" or "personal day" is enough. Add a reason only if it helps the reader, such as a conference.
"I'm out today and back tomorrow. For anything urgent, please contact [name] at [email]."
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