I still have at least two weeks left of work but I am curious about other working moms "out of office" messages.
What have others done in the past or what are you planning to do?
Is it better to be vague? - "I'm out of the office on extended leave. If you need assistance please contact ______."
Or give more information? - reason I'm out, when I will return, that I will be checking emails intermittently, etc.
I'm leaning towards a vague approach, everyone I work closely with knows the situation. And I'm not sure I want to put personal business on blast for any random person to see. Thoughts??
Re: Out of Office Message
What have others in your company done? Does your boss have an opinion?
I like saying maternity leave, because they know it's a long time and that someone would be taking my responsibilities during that time. But I also only get messages from internal people, so I wouldn't be broadcasting that to many people.
So ready to make that my message!
Thursday is my last day. Our work emails "disappear" after 30 days so I need to make sure folks aren't just waiting for me to reply when I get back. Here's my OOF message:
Thank you for your message. I am currently out of the office and will return in May 2014. During my absence, my emails will not be returned nor retained.
Please contact the XXXXX Department at PHONE NUMBER for assistance. You may also email SOMEONE for SUCH AND SUCH matters and SOMEONE ELSE for SUCH AND SUCH inquiries.
Thank you,
Mom to Lily and Colin!
I am permitted to work - and by "work" I mean check in on projects and things I have that other people will be overseeing in my absence.
I will not commit to answering emails just because, as I mentioned earlier, everyone who needs to know the situation already knows and I will be in touch with them over the course of my leve. It's not necessary for random people to know I may or may not answer their emails.
Agree with the vague approach, with enough specifics to understand that you're unreachable (or how limited your interaction will be). My leave starts next Monday, I scheduled my OOO today to say:
I am away on leave beginning x day and ending June 2014. I will not have have access to bank systems (voice or email) during that time. Please contact person 1 or person 2 in my absence. Their contact information is included below.
Kind Regards,
Me
Person 1 contact info
Person 2 contact info