Out-of-office messages are a great way for professionals to let people know they’re unavailable. These messages are especially useful during medical leave, since the absence might last for a while. If you’re planning a sick day or medical leave, knowing how to craft an out-of-office message can be really helpful.
In this article, we’ll cover what a medical leave out-of-office message is, what to include in one, and share 15 examples to guide you in writing your own.
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What is an out-of-office message for medical leave?
An out-of-office message for medical leave is an automatic reply set up on email or voicemail to inform others about your absence. This is especially useful when you’re away for an extended period—or if you had to leave unexpectedly without time to notify everyone.
You can set up these messages in different ways:
- Voicemail: A recorded message for callers.
- Email: An auto-reply sent to anyone who emails you.
- Internal message: Shared via company chat or team communication tools.
Depending on your company’s policies and your preferences, you might use one or more of these methods.
What do out-of-office messages include?
When writing a medical leave message, consider adding these details:
Dates of your absence
Start by mentioning how long you’ll be away. For medical leave, this could be a longer period. If it’s an emergency and you’re unsure of your return date, simply state that your absence is indefinite.
Explanation
A brief reason for your absence helps others understand. You don’t need to share private details—just saying you’re on “medical leave” is enough. This also sets a respectful boundary.
Alternative contacts
To keep things running smoothly, include a colleague’s contact info for urgent matters. This way, people know who to reach out to in your absence.
Greetings
Adding a polite opening and closing keeps the tone professional. Some people add humor, but keeping it simple and clear is often best.
15 examples of out-of-office messages
Need inspiration? Here are 15 examples for different medical leave situations:
For short sick leave
If you’re out for a few days, try messages like these:
- “Hello! I’m out with a fever but should be back tomorrow. For urgent matters, contact [colleague’s name] at [email]. Thanks! – [Your name]”
- “Thanks for your email! I’m recovering from the flu and will return Thursday. For help before then, message [colleague’s name]. – [Your name]”
- “Hi all! I’m sick today and tomorrow. For questions, reach out to [colleague’s name] at [phone number]. Appreciate it! – [Your name]”
- “I’m unwell today and will reply by tomorrow. If urgent, resend with ‘URGENT’ in the subject line. – [Your name]”
- “Feeling under the weather today—hoping to be back tomorrow. For now, [colleague’s name] is handling my tasks. Thanks! – [Your name]”
For extended medical leave (no return date)
If you’re unsure when you’ll be back:
6. “Hi, I’m dealing with a medical emergency with no set return date. For help, contact [colleague’s name]. Thanks for understanding. – [Your name]”
7. “I’m on medical leave indefinitely. Please forward urgent requests to [colleague’s name]. – [Your name]”
8. “Team, I’m having emergency surgery and don’t know my recovery time. For help, contact [colleague’s name]. – [Your name]”
9. “I’m on medical leave and can’t respond right now. If urgent, contact [colleague’s name]. Otherwise, I’ll reply when I return. – [Your name]”
10. “I’m out for a medical issue with no return date yet. For urgent matters, message [colleague’s name]. Thanks! – [Your name]”
For extended medical leave (with a return date)
If you know when you’ll be back:
11. “Team, my medical leave starts tomorrow. I’ll return next month. Until then, contact [colleague’s name]. Thanks! – [Your name]”
12. “I’m on medical leave but will be back on the 20th. For immediate help, email [colleague’s name]. – [Your name]”
13. “I’m on leave and will return early next week. If urgent, mark your email ‘URGENT.’ Thanks for your patience! – [Your name]”
14. “You’ve reached [your name]. I’ll be back Feb. 22nd. For help, contact [colleague’s name] at [phone]. – [Your name]”
15. “I’m on medical leave for two weeks after surgery. Need anything before 5 p.m. today? Otherwise, contact [colleague’s name]. – [Your name]”