Twenty-five polished out-of-office message examples — categorized by situation. The ones that actually work for vacation, conference, parental leave, medical, sabbatical, and more. Copy any one and customize.
Quick answer
The best OOO messages have five things in common: specific dates, realistic reply expectations, an urgent contact, appropriate tone, and under 100 words. Below: 25 examples, 5 categories — pick the one that matches your situation, fill in the blanks, send.
→ Hack for any of these messages
Add a routing URL to make any OOO actually do something.
OutOfOfficePro at $9.99/month turns "for urgent matters, contact X" into "callers self-route to the right person, automatically." Free tier covers 5 dispatches/month.
I am out of office from [start date] until [return date] and not checking email. For urgent matters, [colleague] at [email] or [yourname].outofofficepro.com.
2. The warm
Warm
Thanks for reaching out — I'm taking some time off and will be back [date]. I'm fully offline. For urgent matters, [colleague] at [email] is your best bet, and they're great. For routing by issue, [yourname].outofofficepro.com.
4. The brief
Brief
OOO [start date]–[return date]. Not checking email. Urgent: [colleague], [email] or [yourname].outofofficepro.com.
4. The firm
Firm
I am on vacation [start date]–[return date]. I will not be reachable, will not be checking email, and will not respond until I return. For genuinely urgent matters, [colleague] at [email] or [yourname].outofofficepro.com. Otherwise, no action needed — I'll respond when I'm back.
5. The minimalist
Minimalist
Out [start]–[end]. Urgent: [colleague] / [yourname].outofofficepro.com.
I'm traveling [start]–[end] with limited email access. Replies will be slower than usual. For urgent matters, [colleague] at [email] is covering. For routing by issue, [yourname].outofofficepro.com.
7. The client visit
Client visit
On the road this week visiting clients [date range]. In meetings most of the day, evening replies. Urgent: [colleague] at [email] or [yourname].outofofficepro.com.
8. The road warrior
Road warrior
Traveling [date]–[date]. Limited email. Urgent: [colleague] / [yourname].outofofficepro.com. Back [date].
9. International time-zone
International
Working remotely from [location] through [date], [X-hour] time difference. Online during [your hours]. For same-zone urgency, [colleague] at [email] or [yourname].outofofficepro.com.
10. Speaking at an event
Speaking
At [event name] [dates] — speaking, mostly offline. Urgent: [colleague] at [email] or [yourname].outofofficepro.com. Find me at [your booth/session] if you're there!
// Every "for urgent matters" line gets better with a routing URL
Replace generic coverage with active routing.
"Contact [colleague]" leaves clients guessing whether the colleague is the right person for their specific issue. OutOfOfficePro at $9.99/month routes by issue type — clients pick the urgency category, reach the right person automatically. Free tier covers 5 dispatches/month.
I'm on parental leave through approximately [date], fully offline. All matters: [colleague] at [email]. Urgent issue routing: [yourname].outofofficepro.com.
12. Medical leave
Medical
I'm currently on medical leave and not checking email. Approximately back on [date]. For all matters, [colleague] at [email] or [yourname].outofofficepro.com. Thank you for your patience.
13. Sabbatical
Sabbatical
On sabbatical from [date] through [date]. Fully offline. All matters: [colleague] at [email] or [yourname].outofofficepro.com. Replies resume after [return date].
14. Bereavement
Bereavement
I'm on bereavement leave following a death in the family. Expected return [date], though my timeline may be flexible. For matters during my absence, [colleague] at [email] or [yourname].outofofficepro.com.
15. Military
Military
On military leave from [start] until approximately [end]. Not checking email. All matters: [colleague] at [email] or [yourname].outofofficepro.com.
At [conference] [dates]. In sessions most of the day with spotty connectivity. For urgent matters, [colleague] at [email] or [yourname].outofofficepro.com.
22. Speaking + booth
Speaking
At [event] this week — speaking and running our booth. Largely offline. For anything that can't wait, [colleague] at [email] or [yourname].outofofficepro.com. Find me at [booth #] if you're there!
23. Internal offsite
Offsite
At our team offsite [dates]. Limited email — back at my desk [return date]. Urgent: [colleague] at [email] or [yourname].outofofficepro.com.
24. Court vacation
Court vacation
On court vacation [start]–[end]. Per court rules, no scheduled hearings or filing deadlines fall within this period. For urgent matters, [partner] at [email] or [yourname].outofofficepro.com.
25. Industry event with networking
Networking
At [event] meeting clients and colleagues. Available between sessions but slower than usual. For genuinely urgent: [colleague] at [email] or [yourname].outofofficepro.com.
Specific dates. Every template has concrete date placeholders, not "the next few weeks."
One coverage contact + one routing URL. Coverage handles relationships; URL handles category-specific routing for things they can't.
Honest reply expectations. "When I return" or "in the order received" — not "within 24 hours."
Brevity. All under 100 words. Most under 50.
No apology. You're allowed to take time off.
// Make any of these 25 templates 10x more useful
Add the routing URL — it's $9.99/month.
The "for urgent matters" line is what makes any OOO actually work. OutOfOfficePro is the page that URL points to — clients tap it, pick the issue, reach the right person automatically. Free tier covers 5 dispatches/month so you can test before paying.