Out of the office? Nobody cares.
"I am currently out of the office and probably chilling on the beach. Enjoy your work week." hubspot.com hilarious out-of-office email auto replies
Ok, this blog may come off as insensitive but I have to get this off my chest. Let's have a little fun shall we? We have all received an out of office reply. Some of them are just right, some feel like they require us to send a sympathy card, and some just leave us wondering. I'm no authority on what right looks like in an out of office reply - I've left a few dumb ones in my life. Now that I've totally disqualified myself, let's get started!
There are some leadership principles weaved into this topic. The primary one is never toss your problems on the lap of another.
"Sorry I've missed your email but my step uncle in-law's parakeet has fallen ill."
"Sorry I've missed you. Your message is important to me..." First, 'sorry' is disingenuous. Second, how can you say that the message is important without actually reading it? That's like stating, "dinner was delicious," before taking a single bite.
"I'll be checking my email from time to time..." So I guess we have to wait until it is convenient for you before we hope you'll read what we took time to write?
"I'm currently out of the office." Ok, when might you return sport? Do I have to guess that?
"I'm on PTO..." Well, sorry to bother you Mr. or Mrs. entitled!
I don't even like the ones which mention a death in the family. I'm deeply sympathetic when I read news like that but I go into a tailspin contemplating what I action I should take. I guess I've always kept my problems and issues to myself or at least shared them with a trusted group of people - never on an out of office auto-reply. Don't wear your heart on your sleeve, especially on email.
Ok, I feel better, thanks. Out of office replies do have their place. For efficiency's sake, it is helpful to redirect someone to another person on your team who will respond. Of course, you should get that person's permission first and prepare him or her to screen and respond to your emails. If you are away but will be checking email, you are not out of the office. Lastly, keep it short and leave the apologies off. Example:
"I'll be out of the office from March 4th until August 31st. Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout is standing by to respond to your needs at (insert email)."
That's quite the absence isn't it? This one is short, not rude or emotional, easy to read, and helpful to the person who needs a timely response.
Remember, we are all swamped, communicating across countless channels, and have problems of our own. Don't let your out of office reply add to the pile!
I'm in the office. Holler if you need me. Click below!
Make it Personal!
Rob
Rob Campbell