What the heck do I say in my out of office message?

I'm at a loss, and typically so good at this sort of thing.

I really want to say:
"Thanks for your message. I am out of the office having some of my lady parts removed. Don't bother me anymore as your crap isn't important. I'll get back to you when I feel like it. Doctor says I'll be out for six weeks, but my husband says I'll be back in two, so its anyone's guess as to when I might reply. Sorry - no one is covering for me while I'm out - you're s.o.l. Figure it out for yourself, or wait until I come back to work."

But that's not professional, now, is it?

Do I say "medical leave", or is that too personal?

Do I just say, "I am out of the office until (six weeks from surgery day) or sooner. During this time, I have no access to email, but will reply to your message when I return."

AND, my boss wants me to send an "announcement" out to key people informing them of my absence. I am completely uncomfortable with this. He doesn't want me to say why, but he wants me to let people know I'll be gone. Do I say, "extended leave"?

Hi - I would keep it as impersonal as possible - with just something like I will be out of the office from ----. I wouldn't say anything about when you will be back or why you are absent-it is none of their business and you don't know so why pretend.

I like your last reply....." I will be out of the office until (six week date) and have no access until then, but will return your call when I return, and have a great day"

Personnally I LOVED your first suggestion but do agree that it's probably not that professional. :-) Wouldn't it be great to be able to leave that as it is. Actually laughed out loud when I read it Thank you. xxxx

	Quote:
Originally Posted by Blondeinabmw I'm at a loss, and typically so good at this sort of thing. {snip} AND, my boss wants me to send an "announcement" out to key people informing them of my absence. I am completely uncomfortable with this. He doesn't want me to say why, but he wants me to let people know I'll be gone. Do I say, "extended leave"?

First - I love what you really want to put down!! I could have so done pretty much the exact same thing (especially since nobody was covering while I was out either).

What I did was basically say

"I am on medical leave as of x date, with an anticipated return of y date or z date.

For issue A, please see person 1.
For issue B, please see person 2.
All other issues will be dealt with upon my return."

My boss didn't ask me to contact key people ahead of time, but I did that anyway. Mostly to let them know that if something came up that couldn't wait for my return, to please with with people 6-8. (Although I'll be honest, I waited until a day or two before my surgery to send out those notices, so I didn't have to deal with everyone coming up and asking me WHY I was going to be out.)

Most of the folks here, I didn't tell why I was going to be out (and I work in a hospital, where I had my surgery done, and most of them still don't know what I had done, because it's none of their business).

Wouldn't it be great if we could actually say what we are thinking on these messages. I LOVED yours, but yes, not very professional

I would simply say that you are on extended leave and you anticipate returning on such and such date. Since no one is covering for you while you are gone, just make sure that everyone knows it will be a few weeks before they receive ANY response.

As far as notifying key people....I would say the same thing....extended leave and you will return on such and such date. It is no one's business why you are going to be gone, so no need to include any details you are not comfortable with.

with your messages and even more so... with your surgery!!

Hi, I like your message. Lol


My messages were as follows:


You have reached (name)with(company). I am currently out if the office with no access to email until 9/4.

Then I listed my backups.

There is no reason to specify medical leave.


I notified my biggest clients and those who either need help frequently or who I knew might need me during the time I am out about 2 weeks prior. I just called it "extended absence" or "extended out if office". I gave them my backup information as well as a chance to ask me for anything before I was out.

I agree nobody has to know why you are gone. My clients respected that. Nobody asked for details. One particularly difficult (and crazy) client said she wished she could take a vacation, lol. I did not acknowledge that because she is just nuts.

Leave off the part about returning their call when you return. You don't want to return and be obligated to return 200 phone calls.

I am going to have surgery Oct. 15 and I plan on stating I am out of the office until Oct. 31 or something like that. Luckily my boss is letting me work at home once I can walk to our home office and sit there for a little while everyday. Which is great so I don't get too far behind and i won't miss any moolah!!!

loved what you wanted to say but agree not professional - but true

my vm & "out of office assistant" stated that I was out on medical loa & to contact my supervisor at ... since you cannot state this - I would say "You have reached (name) w/ (company) and I am currently out of the office on extended leave & do not have access to either phone or emails. I will answer all inquires when I return in the order received." (just like the hold message)
as for informing key people - word the email similar to your vm & don't send it until the day before & make sure your "out of office" in ON - that way you have done as the boss requested but don't have to deal w/ the problems & stress.