"So, you've finally done it. No more putting it off, pushing through the grind, waiting for a more opportune time once things settle down. Alas, you've mustered up the gall to cash in on your paid vacation time. Now you have several days strung together to travel, rest, or do whatever the heck your heart desires. I love that for you."
"I, for one, wish corporate peeps got more real with this messaging. Treat these notes like early-stage status updates: Share what you're really thinking, feeling, and experiencing. This year is already a mess; immigrants continue to be targeted by the federal government, unemployment numbers remain dismal, and it seems like everyone's got the flu. Why not keep it 100 for whoever reaches out in the interim?"
"I am currently out of office, taking advantage of PTO that is technically unlimited but spiritually frowned upon. I am currently out of office, taking advantage of PTO that is technically unlimited but managerially frowned upon. I am currently out of office to recharge after running on vibes, caffeine, and anxiety for six consecutive quarters. I am out of office avoiding the news for my mental health. Please do not forward any think pieces."
Out-of-office auto-replies are typically vanilla, stating absence, return date, and alternate contacts. Many people can make OOO notes more candid, using them to set boundaries, signal mental-health breaks, and acknowledge broader social stressors. Suggested candid lines include humorous admissions of unlimited-but-frowned-upon PTO, burnout from sustained anxiety and caffeine, and intentional news avoidance for mental health. The examples model frankness, mixing levity with explicit boundary-setting and authenticity. Candid OOO messages can clarify availability expectations while signaling priorities, but they may be risky in managerial or cultural contexts. Deploy candid messages with awareness of workplace norms and potential consequences.
Read at Fast Company
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