150+ Out of Office Message for Leave Samples
Out of Office Messages for Leave: 150+ Professional Auto‑Reply Examples
When you're away from work — whether for a day or several weeks — a clear out of office message (OOO) is more than just a formality. It sets the tone for how your absence is handled, manages expectations, prevents follow-up frustration, and helps work continue smoothly. Whether you're on annual leave, out sick, or attending a wedding, your auto-reply is the first impression others get during that time.
In this guide, you’ll find 150+ professional out-of-office message examples for leave, covering everything from vacations and sick days to native-place visits, holidays, weddings, business trips, and situations where you have partial availability. We’ve also included very short one-liners, detailed auto-replies, and internal vs. external message variations for different audiences.
Each template is designed to be polite, globally understandable, and easy to customize — so you can stay focused on your time off, while others stay informed.
How to Write a Professional Out of Office Message for Leave
A good out-of-office message should be clear, brief, and helpful. Whether it’s going to a colleague, client, or external contact, it should set the right expectations while directing them to someone who can help in your absence.
Here are the core elements to include in an out of office auto-reply:
- Start and end dates of your leave, including your time zone if you work with international teams.
- A general or specific reason for your leave (e.g., "on leave" or "on annual leave/business travel").
- Your availability status: are you checking emails occasionally or are you completely offline?
- Alternate contact person or team (include email/phone).
- Return date and what to do for urgent requests.
Example Fill‑In Templates
1. Generic & Polite (Internal/External):
Hi, I’m currently out of office on leave from [Start Date] to [End Date]. I will not be checking emails during this time. For urgent matters, please contact [Colleague Name] at [Email]. I’ll respond after I return on [Return Date].
2. Partially Available:
Thank you for your message. I’m on leave until [End Date] but will check emails occasionally. For anything urgent, please reach out to [Alternate Contact] at [Email].
3. Short Auto-Reply (Minimalist):
Out of office until [End Date]. Limited email access. Contact [Name] at [Email] for urgent queries.
These templates can be adapted for specific situations, such as vacations, festivals, or medical leave — just update the reason, dates, and backup contact.
150+ WhatsApp leave message examples for every reason – short, polite, and easy to copy-paste.
Annual Leave Out of Office Message Examples (≈30 messages)
Short Annual Leave Out of Office Messages (10)
- I’m currently on annual leave until 15 Jan and will respond to your email once I return.
- Thank you for your message. I’m on annual leave until 22 Jan with no access to email.
- I’m out of office on annual leave until 10 Jan. I’ll get back to you once I return.
- I’m currently away on annual leave until 5 Feb and will reply when I return.
- Thank you for your email. I’m on annual leave until 18 Jan and not checking emails.
- I am on annual leave until 12 Jan. Your message will be responded to upon my return.
- Currently on annual leave until 25 Jan — I will respond to emails after that date.
- I am out of office on annual leave until 30 Jan. I’ll get back to you soon after.
- I’m away from the office on annual leave until 9 Feb. I appreciate your patience.
- Thank you for your message. I’m on annual leave and will return on 1 Feb.
Detailed Annual Leave Messages with Backup Contact (10)
- I’m currently on annual leave until 15 Jan. For urgent matters, please contact [Colleague Name] at [email/phone].
- Thank you for your message. I am on annual leave until 20 Jan. Please reach out to [Name] at [email] for urgent assistance.
- I’m away from the office until 18 Jan. During my absence, [Name] is available at [email/phone] for immediate help.
- I’ll be on annual leave until 25 Jan. For anything urgent, contact my colleague [Name] at [email].
- I am currently on annual leave and will return on 30 Jan. Please contact [Name] at [phone/email] for any urgent matters.
- Thanks for reaching out. I’m on annual leave until 12 Feb. For support, contact [Colleague Name] at [email].
- I’m out of the office on annual leave until 5 Feb. If your query can’t wait, contact [Name] at [phone].
- I’m away until 22 Jan on annual leave. Please reach out to [Team Member] at [email] for urgent needs.
- I am on annual leave and will return on 8 Feb. Urgent matters can be addressed to [Name], who is covering for me.
- Currently on annual leave until 28 Jan — for any pressing issues, [Name] is handling my responsibilities during this time.
Internal vs External Annual Leave Replies (10)
Internal (5)
- I’m on annual leave until 20 Jan. Please reach out to [Team Lead] for updates on [Project Name].
- Currently on leave until 15 Jan — [Colleague Name] has context on [Project] and can assist in my absence.
- I’m on annual leave and will return 25 Jan. Please follow up with [Team Member] for internal deliverables.
- Out of office on annual leave until 30 Jan — [Name] is handling project coordination while I’m away.
- I’m away until 10 Feb. [Name] is briefed on [task/team update] and can provide support if needed.
External (5)
- I am on annual leave until 20 Jan and unable to respond. Please contact [Name] at [email] for client matters.
- Thank you for reaching out. I’m on leave until 28 Jan. My colleague [Name] will assist during this time.
- I’ll be away from work until 5 Feb on annual leave. Kindly contact [email] for any client communications.
- I am out of office on annual leave. For assistance during my absence, contact [external support contact].
- Thank you for your email. I’m currently unavailable until 15 Jan and will respond once I return.
Vacation & Travel Out of Office Messages (≈25 Messages)
Vacation / Holiday Out of Office Messages (10)
- I’m currently on vacation leave until 18 Jan and not checking emails.
- Out of office for holiday leave — I’ll return on 25 Jan and respond then.
- I’m enjoying a short break and will be back in office on 10 Feb.
- I’m currently on vacation and will respond after 15 Jan. Thanks for your patience.
- On holiday leave until 20 Jan. I will not have access to email during this time.
- I’m away on vacation leave and returning on 22 Jan. Please contact [Backup Name] in the meantime.
- I’m out of office until 30 Jan on vacation. Please expect delays in my reply.
- Thank you for your email. I am currently on a holiday break until 5 Feb.
- Out of the office on vacation from 12 Jan to 20 Jan — I’ll respond afterward.
- I’m on a holiday break and will return to work on 1 Feb. Thanks for understanding.
Trip to Native Place / Hometown (7–8)
- I’m visiting my hometown from 8 Jan to 15 Jan; I’ll have limited email access.
- Currently out of town on a family visit and returning on 20 Jan.
- I’m on leave to visit my native place until 22 Jan. Please contact [Name] for urgent matters.
- Out of office as I’m travelling to my hometown. Back on 28 Jan.
- I’ll be away visiting my hometown until 15 Feb with limited access to mail.
- On vacation to my native place, returning 30 Jan. Thanks for your patience.
- I’m out of town with limited access to email from 18 Jan to 25 Jan.
- Thank you for reaching out. I’ll reply after I return from my native place on 20 Jan.
International Travel & Time Zone Messages (7–8)
- I’m travelling internationally until 30 Jan and may respond with a delay due to time zone differences.
- Currently abroad with limited internet access — I’ll reply post 25 Jan.
- I’m on an international vacation from 15 Jan to 28 Jan — kindly expect delayed responses.
- Out of office and travelling internationally; responses may be delayed due to time zone shifts.
- Thank you for your message. I’m currently travelling overseas and will return on 5 Feb.
- I’m currently on international leave with restricted connectivity, returning 2 Feb.
- I’m on vacation in a different time zone and will have limited access to email until 30 Jan.
- Please note, I’m abroad until 20 Jan and may not respond immediately due to travel schedule.
Sick Leave Out of Office Messages (≈20 Messages)
Short Sick Leave Auto‑Replies (8–10)
- I’m currently on sick leave with no email access until [Date]. I’ll reply upon my return.
- On sick leave until [Date]. Please contact [Colleague Name] at [Email] for urgent matters.
- I’m away due to illness and will return on [Date]. I won’t be checking email during this time.
- Out of office on sick leave. I’ll be unavailable until [Date]. Thanks for your understanding.
- Currently out on medical leave. No email access until [Date].
- I’m on short-term sick leave and will resume work on [Date]. For immediate needs, contact [Team Email].
- I’m taking time off to recover and will return on [Date]. Not checking emails during this period.
- On health leave until [Date]. Please contact [Backup Contact] for assistance.
- I’m recovering from a minor illness and away from email until [Date].
- Out sick today. Will respond to emails as soon as I’m able.
Longer Medical Leave Messages (8–10)
- I’m currently on extended medical leave with limited email access. I’ll return on [Date]. For assistance, please contact [Colleague Name] at [Email].
- Due to a health issue, I’ll be on medical leave through [Date]. Kindly reach out to [Team Email] in the meantime.
- I’m taking a health break until [Date] and will not be checking emails regularly. [Colleague Name] can assist you during this period.
- I’m away on medical leave and will return on [Date]. Email access is limited, so please contact [Backup Contact] if urgent.
- I’m on sick leave due to a medical condition. Expected return: [Date]. Thank you for your patience.
- Out of office due to illness. I’ll have limited access until [Date]. Please contact [Alternate Contact] if it’s time-sensitive.
- I am currently recovering and will return on [Date]. Email responses may be delayed.
- On health leave through [Date]. I appreciate your understanding and will respond when I return.
- I’m on medical leave and checking emails infrequently. For immediate help, contact [Team Email].
- I’m currently on extended sick leave. Back in office from [Date]. Appreciate your understanding.
Wedding & Honeymoon Out of Office Messages (≈20 Messages)
Wedding Out of Office Messages (10)
- I’m currently out of office for my wedding leave from [Start Date] to [End Date]. I’ll respond after [Return Date].
- Thank you for your message. I’m away for my wedding until [Date]. For urgent matters, please contact [Colleague Name].
- I’m on leave for my wedding and will return on [Date]. No email access during this time.
- I’ll be out of office celebrating my wedding from [Date] to [Date]. Please connect with [Team Email] in my absence.
- Out of office for my wedding celebration. I’ll be back on [Date] and respond as soon as possible.
- I’m currently out of office getting married! I’ll return on [Date]. Thanks for your kind wishes.
- I’m away from [Date] for wedding leave. Kindly reach out to [Backup Contact] during this period.
- Currently celebrating my wedding and not checking emails. Back on [Date].
- On wedding leave through [Date]. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
- I’ll be unavailable for wedding leave and returning on [Date]. Please contact [Name] for urgent needs.
Honeymoon / Extended Marriage Leave Messages (10)
- I’m currently on extended wedding leave and will return on [Date]. No email access during this time.
- Away on honeymoon until [Date]. For urgent work matters, contact [Colleague Name] at [Email].
- I’ll be on marriage leave from [Start Date] to [End Date]. Please reach out to [Team Email] for assistance.
- I’m out of office for my wedding and honeymoon until [Date]. I will not be checking emails.
- Currently out for personal leave following my wedding. I’ll return on [Date]. For time-sensitive issues, contact [Backup Name].
- On extended marriage leave, returning [Date]. No email access during this period. Thank you!
- Thank you for reaching out. I’m currently on leave post-wedding and will respond after [Date].
- I’m away on marriage leave until [Date]. Please connect with [Colleague] for urgent support.
- On honeymoon leave through [Date]. Email access is limited.
- Wedding leave ongoing until [Date]. Please expect a delay in replies.
Festival & Public Holiday Out of Office Messages (≈20 Messages)
Generic Public Holiday Auto‑Replies (8–10)
- Our office is closed for public holidays and will reopen on [Date]. Responses will be delayed.
- Thank you for your message. I’m currently out of office for the holidays, returning [Date].
- I’m away for public holidays until [Date]. I’ll reply upon my return.
- Our team is observing a public holiday from [Start Date] to [End Date].
- Out of office for a public holiday. I’ll be back online on [Date].
- I’m currently unavailable due to national holidays. Please expect a delay in response until [Date].
- On leave for official holidays. I will return and respond after [Date].
- I’m away for the holiday break. I’ll respond to your email on or after [Date].
- Thank you for writing. We’re closed for a public holiday and will reply after [Date].
- Currently observing a long weekend/public holiday. I’ll be back on [Date].
Specific Festival Messages (8–10)
- Wishing you a joyful Diwali! I’m out of office and will return on [Date].
- Happy Eid! I’m currently on leave for the festival and will respond after [Date].
- Our office is closed for Lunar New Year celebrations. I’ll return on [Date].
- I’m on festival leave for Holi and will be back on [Date].
- Merry Christmas! I'm out of office for the holiday season, returning [Date].
- Celebrating Pongal with family — out of office till [Date].
- Observing Onam festival. I’ll respond after [Date].
- Wishing you a peaceful holiday. I’ll be back post-Thanksgiving on [Date].
- I'm currently away for Navratri festivities. Will return on [Date].
- Our office is closed for Baisakhi. I’ll resume emails after [Date].
Business Trip & Conference Out of Office Messages (≈20 Messages)
Client Visit / On‑Site Project Out of Office (7–8)
- I’m currently at a client site for a project and will return to the office on [Date].
- Out on a client visit until [Date]. Please contact [Name] at [Email] in the meantime.
- I’m on-site with a client and may have limited access to email. Back on [Date].
- I’m away on business travel for a client project and will return on [Date].
- On a client location visit through [Date]. Checking emails intermittently.
- I’m out of office for an on-site project visit. Please expect delays in response until [Date].
- Currently working from a client location with limited availability. Back on [Date].
- I’m attending a client deployment and unavailable till [Date].
Conference / Training / Workshop OOO Messages (7–8)
- I’m attending a professional conference from [Date] to [Date]. I’ll reply once I return.
- Out of office for a training workshop. Please contact [Team Email] during this time.
- I’m participating in a leadership training event. Limited email access till [Date].
- Currently at a business seminar. I’ll respond after [Date].
- I’m in a training program until [Date]. Urgent issues can go to [Colleague Name].
- I’m away attending a conference. Please expect a delayed response until [Date].
- Out of office for skill development training. Back on [Date].
- I’m on a learning leave to attend a workshop. Returning [Date].
Mixed Travel + Remote Access Messages (4–5)
- I’m traveling for business with limited email access. I’ll respond as I can, and fully after [Date].
- Currently on a business trip. Checking emails once per day until [Date].
- Working remotely while traveling. For urgent issues, please contact [Colleague Name].
- I’m on a work trip with limited availability. I’ll be back in office on [Date].
- Travelling for meetings and events this week. Replies may be delayed till [Date].
Partial Availability & Limited‑Access Messages (≈15 messages)
Limited Email Access Auto‑Replies (7–8)
- I’m currently checking email infrequently due to fieldwork commitments. I’ll reply as soon as I’m able.
- I have limited email access this week due to travel. I’ll get back to you at the earliest opportunity.
- Thank you for your message. I’m working with restricted connectivity today and may be delayed in replying.
- I’m experiencing limited internet access today. Your message is important, and I’ll respond as soon as possible.
- I’ll be checking emails periodically only due to back-to-back meetings. Expect a delayed response.
- Currently away from my desk with intermittent email access. I’ll respond when I can.
- I’m checking email occasionally while attending a conference. Replies may be delayed.
- Due to a busy travel schedule, I’m reviewing emails less frequently — I’ll respond when possible.
Part‑Day Out of Office Messages (7–8)
- I’ll be unavailable in the mornings until 10 Jan. I’ll respond to messages in the afternoon.
- I’m out of office each afternoon this week due to personal obligations. Will respond by the next morning.
- I’m working a split schedule until 12 Jan, and will only be available in the afternoons.
- Please note, I’ll be unavailable during mornings due to ongoing sessions — I’ll reply after 1 PM.
- I’m currently on a reduced schedule and available only post-lunch hours until further notice.
- I’ll be offline from 2 PM daily until Friday for personal reasons. I’ll reply the following day.
- I’m attending workshops in the mornings this week — expect email responses by afternoon.
- I’m partially available today and may respond to your message later in the day.
Template Library: Fill‑in‑the‑Blank Out of Office Messages (≈10 Templates)
Use these short, professional templates to quickly set your auto-reply. Just plug in your dates, reason, and contact — and you’re good to go.
Generic Leave OOO Templates
- Hi, I’m currently out of office on leave from [Start Date] to [End Date]. I’ll have [no/limited] access to emailduring this time. For urgent matters, please contact [Name] at [Email].
- Thanks for reaching out. I’m on leave until [Date] and will respond after I return. For time-sensitive issues, contact [Colleague/Team Email].
Annual Leave Templates
- I’m on annual leave from [Start Date] to [End Date] and won’t be checking emails. For assistance, please reach out to [Alternate Contact].
- Currently on scheduled annual leave. Back on [Return Date]. Urgent matters can be directed to [Colleague Name, Email].
Sick Leave Templates
- I’m out on sick leave until [Date] and won’t be available via email. For support, contact [Backup Contact].
- On medical leave and recovering. I’ll return on [Date]. Kindly contact [Colleague Name] for any urgent help.
Vacation / Festival Leave Templates
- I’m away on vacation until [Date] with limited access to email. I’ll reply after I return. For anything urgent, contact [Team Contact].
- Out of office for [Festival Name] celebrations. I’ll be back on [Date]. Thank you for your patience.
Wedding Leave Template
- I’m currently on leave for my wedding from [Start Date] to [End Date]. I’ll be offline during this time. Please connect with [Colleague Name] for urgent queries.
Business Trip Template
- I’m attending a business trip from [Start Date] to [End Date], with limited email access. For time-sensitive matters, please reach out to [Backup Contact].
These templates are ideal for email clients, HR platforms, and internal systems — just copy, customize, and activate. Let me know if you’d like downloadable snippets or links to related message sets!
FAQ – Out of Office Messages for Leave
Do I need to mention the exact reason for my leave in the out of office message?
No, it’s not necessary to specify the exact reason. A simple mention of being "on leave" or "away from the office" is sufficient and maintains professionalism.
How long should an out of office message be?
Keep it brief—2 to 4 sentences. It should clearly state your absence dates, an alternate contact if needed, and when you’ll be back.
Should I include my phone number in an auto-reply?
Only if it’s essential for urgent matters and you're comfortable being contacted. Otherwise, it’s best to direct people to a colleague or your general office contact.
Can I use different messages for internal and external contacts?
Yes, and it’s a good practice. Internal messages can include more details or project-specific notes, while external replies should remain general and professional.
How early should I set my out of office message before annual leave?
Activate your out of office auto-reply on the last working day before your leave begins. This ensures all incoming messages during your absence are covered.
Closing Thoughts
An effective out of office message helps protect your time off while ensuring your colleagues and clients know how to proceed. It reduces confusion, avoids repeated follow-ups, and shows you're organized — even when you’re away.
Choose the most relevant category (annual leave, sick leave, wedding, travel, etc.) and enter your exact dates and a backup contact to make the message truly yours.
Remember: Clear, concise auto-replies are always better than overly personal or vague ones.
Take that break — your inbox will handle itself.
Other popular leave formats
- Leave application for office
- Leave application for school
- Leave application for sick leave
- Leave application for marriage
- leave application for personal reasons
- Maternity leave application
- Leave application for sister marriage
- Casual leave application
- Leave application for 2 days
- Leave application for urgent work
- Application for sick leave to school
- One day leave application
- Half day leave application
- Leave application for fever
- Privilege leave
- Leave letter for going to temple
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Leave application Questions? Answers.
Formats of leave applications
- How to write a leave application
- Leave application for fever
- Leave application for urgent work
- Leave application for marriage
- Leave application for sick leave
- Leave application for office
- Leave application for maternity leave
- Leave application for school
- Leave application for half-day
- Privilege leave
- Medical leave application
How do I write a leave application for personal reasons without disclosing sensitive details?
Keep the application general but professional. Use phrases like:
"I am requesting leave from [start date] to [end date] due to personal reasons. I have made arrangements to manage my responsibilities in my absence."Avoid providing unnecessary details while ensuring professionalism.
How far in advance should I submit a leave application?
For planned leaves, submit your application at least 1-2 weeks in advance. This allows adequate time for approval and task delegation. For emergencies, inform the concerned authority immediately via email, phone, or in person.
How do I address last-minute leave requests due to emergencies?
- Begin with an apology for the short notice.
- Clearly state the emergency and the dates for the leave.
- Offer to handle urgent tasks remotely or delegate them.
Example:
"Due to an unforeseen family emergency, I request leave for [specific dates]. I apologize for the short notice and will ensure essential tasks are managed in my absence."
Can I take a leave of absence for maternity or paternity leave?
Yes, most employers are required to provide maternity and paternity leave to eligible employees. The specific terms of the leave, including the duration and whether it is paid or unpaid, may vary depending on the employer and the individual's situation.
Can I take a leave of absence for military service?
Yes, employees who are called to active military duty are entitled to take a leave of absence for military service. The specific terms of the leave, including the duration and whether it is paid or unpaid, may vary depending on the employer and the individual's situation.
How do I request a leave of absence from work?
To request a leave of absence, you should first check with your employer to see what their policies and procedures are for taking time off. In most cases, you will need to submit a written request for leave to your supervisor or HR department. Be sure to include the reason for your leave, the dates you plan to be out, and any other relevant information.
Can I take a leave of absence for personal reasons?
Yes, in most cases you can take a leave of absence for personal reasons. However, the specific reasons for which you are allowed to take time off will vary depending on your employer's policies and the laws in your state. For example, some employers may allow you to take time off for personal reasons such as to care for a sick family member, while others may only permit leaves for medical reasons.
What happens to my benefits while I am on leave?
Whether your benefits will continue while you are on leave will depend on the specific policies of your employer and the laws in your state. In some cases, your employer may continue to provide benefits such as health insurance and paid time off during your leave, while in other cases, you may need to pay for these benefits yourself or they may be suspended during your leave.
Do I have to pay taxes on my leave pay?
Whether you will have to pay taxes on your leave pay will depend on the specific type of leave you are taking and the laws in your country.
For example, if you are taking a leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) in the US, the pay you receive during your leave may be tax-free.
However, if you are taking a personal leave of absence without pay, you will not receive any pay and therefore will not have to pay taxes on it.
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