Keep it private: "I'm on medical leave until [date] and not checking email. For anything urgent, please contact [name] at [email]." "Medical leave," or simply "on leave," is enough; you never have to name the condition. Three copy-paste templates are below.
Updated 2026 · Reviewed and rewritten for clarity
Quick answer
A medical leave out of office gives your expected return date (or says it is not confirmed yet) and one covering contact. It leaves out the diagnosis, apologies and promises to check in. If you would rather not say medical, "I'm currently on leave" is fine.
What to write, by situation
Situation
Line to use
Standard
"I'm on medical leave until [date]. For anything urgent, please contact [name] at [email]."
Return date unknown
"I'm on medical leave and will update this reply once my return date is set."
Without saying medical
"I'm currently on leave until [date]."
Leave out
The condition, surgery details, apologies, "I'll check email."
Template 1, Standard medical leave
Direct, professional, no medical detail. The default for most situations.
Standard
Hello,
Thank you for your email. I am currently on medical leave and will be away from the office until approximately [return date]. I am not able to check email or respond during this time.
For all urgent matters, please contact [colleague name] at [colleague email]. They are covering my responsibilities and have full context.
I will respond to non-urgent messages when I return.
Thank you for your understanding.
Best regards,
[Your name]
Template 2, Indefinite return date
For situations where the return date isn't clear yet. Sets expectations without committing to a specific timeline.
Indefinite
Hello,
I'm currently away on medical leave. My return date is not yet confirmed, but I'll update this auto-reply once I have a timeline.
For all matters during my absence, please reach out to [colleague name] at [colleague email]. They have full coverage.
Thank you for your patience.
Best,
[Your name]
Template 3, Brief
For high-volume inboxes. Keeps it short, doesn't invite questions.
Brief
On medical leave through [return date]. All matters: [colleague name], [colleague email]. Will respond on return.
— [Your name]
The privacy rule for medical leave OOO
You don't owe anyone an explanation. "Medical leave" is enough. Specifically:
Don't name the condition. "On medical leave" is professional. "Recovering from surgery" is oversharing.
Don't apologize. You're not "sorry to be unwell." Health happens.
Don't promise periodic check-ins. If you're well enough to check email, you're well enough to be working, and that's not what medical leave is for.
Do route urgent things to a real person. "Leave a message and I'll get to it" doesn't work when you're recovering. Name a coverage contact.
Do update the message if your timeline changes. If you'll be out longer than expected, change the return date in your auto-reply.
Common questions
How do I write a medical leave out of office without mentioning medical?
Say "I'm currently on leave until [date]" or "I'm out of the office until [date]." Neither needs a reason.
Is my job protected while I am on medical leave?
In the U.S., eligible employees at covered employers can take up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave a year for a serious health condition under the Family and Medical Leave Act. Ask HR what applies to you.
What if my return date changes?
Update the auto-reply with the new date, or switch to the "return date not confirmed" version.
Sources.
U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division, Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
General information, researched from the sources above; not legal, HR or tax advice.
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