Out-of-office emails are getting a refresh — and helping employees set work-life boundaries
The out-of-office email has undergone a transformation in recent years. What used to be a simple message stating the dates of absence and who to contact in the meantime has evolved into a platform for employees to inject some personality and assert boundaries between work and personal life.
Canadian content creator Laura Whaley has collected examples of creative out-of-office replies shared by her followers. These replies range from humorous to bold, with messages like “Until Thursday, just pretend I don’t exist” and “For any urgent matters, please take a deep breath because only a few are.”
The shift towards more personalized out-of-office replies is seen as a way for employees to push back against the expectation of constant availability in the digital age. Paola Accettola, CEO of HR consulting firm True North, applauds this trend, noting that it signals a healthy approach to work-life balance.
Renee Heath, a communications professor, believes that technology has made it easier for employees to work from home but has also blurred the boundaries between work and personal time. The updated out-of-office email is a way for employees to clearly communicate when they are not available and set boundaries.
However, not everyone is on board with this trend. Business communication trainer Chris Fenning cautions against overly sarcastic or anti-work messages, noting that professionalism should still be maintained in out-of-office replies.
Ultimately, the experts agree that while injecting some personality into out-of-office replies can be fun, it’s important to strike a balance and ensure that the message conveys professionalism and leaves a positive impression. As employees continue to navigate the challenges of work-life balance in the digital age, the out-of-office email serves as a small but significant tool for setting boundaries and asserting control over one’s time off.
