How Do I Write a Vacation Response Email?

By Michael Ferguson

When you’re going on a vacation, it’s important to set up an out-of-office message or vacation response email. This lets anyone who contacts you know that you’re away and that you won’t be able to respond to their messages immediately. Here’s how to write a great vacation response email:

Step 1: Start with a friendly greeting

When writing your vacation response email, start with a friendly greeting. You can use something like “Hello” or “Hi there” to begin.

Step 2: Let them know you’re away

The next thing you’ll want to do is let the person know that you’re away. You can say something like “Thank you for your email. Please note that I will be out of the office from [date] to [date].”

Step 3: Tell them when they can expect a response

It’s important to give people an idea of when they can expect to hear back from you. You could say something like “I will be back in the office on [date], and I will respond to your message as soon as possible after my return.”

Step 4: Provide an alternative contact

If there is someone else in your organization who can help with the person’s request, provide their contact information. This could be as simple as saying “If your matter is urgent, please contact [name and email address].”

Step 5: Thank them for their understanding

Finally, thank the person for their understanding and for reaching out to you. You could say something like “Thank you for your patience during my absence. I look forward to getting back in touch with you soon.”

  • Quick tips:
  • Keep it brief: Your vacation response email should be short and to the point.
  • Be clear: Make sure your message is clear and easy to understand.
  • Set expectations: Let people know when they can expect to hear back from you.

Sample Vacation Response Email:

Hello,

Thank you for your email. Please note that I will be out of the office from July 1st to July 10th. I will respond to your message as soon as possible after my return on July 11th.

If your matter is urgent, please contact [name and email address]. Thank you for your understanding and for reaching out to me.

Best regards,
[Your name]