Sick day
You're not well, so this takes ten seconds: when you're back and who can help. Outside your company it just says you're out of the office.
Automatic reply: Re: Quick question before you go
You
to Sam Rivera · just now
Slack or Teams status
25/100 characters, Slack's limit. Set it to clear on Thu, Oct 8.
Subject line (Gmail)
Gmail's vacation responder asks for one. Outlook writes its own: “Automatic reply: …”.
Block your calendar
Out of office: Out sick
Wed, Oct 7 · all day · shows as Out of office
Tell your team lead
Hi! Heads-up: I'll be out today, and back on Thursday, October 8. My out-of-office reply is on.
Open Settings (the gear at the top right), then Accounts › Automatic replies.
Turn on the Automatic replies toggle.
Check Send replies only during a time period. Start: now. End: Thu, Oct 8, 8:00 AM.
Optional: check Block my calendar for this period and Automatically decline new invitations for events that occur during this period.
Paste your message into the box.
Work account? Check Send replies outside your organization, then Send replies only to contacts, and paste the outside version.
Select Save.
You'll paste
Turning it on now and off the morning you're back means it switches itself off. No forgetting.
For team leads
Auto-replies tell the people emailing you. Your team lead finds out who's out from the bounce-backs. Forgot puts everyone's time off, holidays and release dates on one calendar, so a clash shows up while there's still time to plan around it.
Free for 14 days, no card. Then $9 once, no subscription. Not your call? Send it to your team lead.
Hello, Thank you for your email. I'm out sick on [start date] and expect to be back on [return date]. I will not have access to email during this time. If your matter is urgent, please contact [colleague's name] at [their email]. Otherwise, I'll respond to your message as soon as possible after I return. Thank you, [Your name]
Thank you for your message. I'm out of the office on [start date], returning on [return date]. I will not have access to email during this time. For anything urgent, please reach out to [colleague's name] at [their email]. I'll reply as soon as I can when I'm back. Kind regards, [Your name]
Hi, I'm out sick and resting up so I can get back to you properly. I'll reply when I'm back on [return date]. If it can't wait, [colleague's name] can help at [their email]. Thanks for understanding, [Your name]
Hi! Thanks for your note. I'm out sick and back on [return date]. I won't be checking email while I'm away. If it can't wait, [colleague's name] can help at [their email]. Talk soon, [Your name]
Out sick, back [return date]. Urgent? Contact [colleague's name] at [their email]. [Your name]
I'm out sick until [return date]. Urgent? Contact [colleague's name] at [their email]. [Your name]
I'm out sick. My immune system is in a meeting with a virus, and it's running long. I expect to be back on [return date]. If it can't wait, [colleague's name] is healthy and can help at [their email]. [Your name]
Hello! I'm out sick today, wrapped in a blanket and negotiating with a cup of tea. I'll be back on [return date], hopefully with my voice. If it can't wait, [colleague's name] can help at [their email]. [Your name]
Hello, Thank you for your email. I'm on medical leave and will return on [return date]. I will not have access to email during this time. If your matter is urgent, please contact [colleague's name] at [their email]. Thank you for your patience while I'm away. Best regards, [Your name]
Hi, I'm on medical leave and focusing on getting better. I'll be back on [return date] and will reply then. While I'm out, [colleague's name] is covering for me and can help at [their email]. Thank you, [Your name]
Keep the details private
"Out sick" is plenty for colleagues, and "out of the office" for everyone else. Nobody needs symptoms.
"Expect to be back"
You can't be sure when you'll be better. "I expect to be back Thursday" promises less than "I'll be back Thursday".
Turn it off when you're back
Or set an end time now, so you're not still "out sick" next week.
No. "I'm out of the office today" is enough, and it's what the generator sends people outside your company.
Tick "I don't know when I'm back" and the message says you don't have a return date yet. Update it when you know.