Gen Z is rewriting the office rulebook, one auto-reply at a time.
Out-of-office emails used to sound like they were written by a robot in a blazer. But Gen Z? They’re making them fun, sarcastic, and weirdly refreshing. These replies ditch the stiff formalities and go straight for laughs, honesty, and sometimes mild existential crises—just enough to make you miss them while they’re away.
If you’re tired of the “I will be out of the office until…” snoozefest, steal one of these responses and let your inbox reflect your personality while you disappear for a bit.
1. I’m out of office and currently pretending I don’t exist.
Hi! I’m currently away, ignoring everything that involves email, Slack, or adulting in general. I’ll be back on [insert date] with a probably-overwhelming inbox and mild regret. Until then, feel free to scream into the void or contact someone else who’s better at being a functioning human. If this is urgent, it probably shouldn’t be, but go ahead and reach out to [colleague’s name]. Otherwise, I’ll get back to you once I’ve emotionally recovered from taking time off like a normal person. Thanks for your patience, or at least your forced understanding.
2. Out of office, probably in a forest with zero bears.
I’m currently away and blissfully unaware of your email, likely lost somewhere without cell service, Wi-Fi, or a single functioning brain cell dedicated to work. If I don’t respond, it’s not personal—it’s just that I’m in vacation mode and my only priority is surviving the outdoors and avoiding poison ivy. I’ll be back on [insert date], hopefully not sunburned or eaten by a bear. Until then, direct anything important to [colleague’s name], who didn’t make the questionable decision to camp. Talk soon-ish!
3. I’m away doing absolutely nothing, on purpose.
Right now, I’m fully committed to the fine art of being unproductive. I’m out of office until [insert date], aggressively relaxing and not checking email. If your message is urgent, try asking yourself if it really is—or email [colleague’s name], who still remembers how calendars and deadlines work. Otherwise, I’ll respond once I’ve returned to civilization with at least some of my dignity intact. Please enjoy this automated response as proof that it’s okay to pause. Or at least fake it convincingly.
4. Currently recharging my socially anxious battery.
I’m taking a break, mentally rebooting, and pretending I’m the kind of person who unplugs gracefully. I’ll be back on [insert date] and ready to awkwardly small talk again. Until then, you can reach out to [colleague’s name] if you need actual help—or just scream into the digital abyss with the rest of us. I may be sipping iced coffee in bed or watching documentaries I won’t remember, but either way, I’m OOO and off-limits for now. Catch you later, hopefully slightly more stable than before.
5. Out of office. Probably overspending on iced lattes.
Hi there! I’m out and about doing Important Non-Work Things™ like roaming bookstores, rewatching comfort shows, and pretending money grows on trees. I’ll return on [insert date], slightly poorer but emotionally richer. If your message can wait, awesome. If not, go ahead and ping [colleague’s name], who is infinitely more reliable this week. Just know I’ll get back to you when I’ve stopped pretending to be a 90s rom-com character with no real responsibilities.
6. I’m away, but my inner critic is still on the clock.
Currently taking PTO, which stands for Pretending To be Okay. I’ll be back on [insert date], slightly tanned and still haunted by emails I haven’t read yet. This auto-reply is my passive-aggressive boundary, so please respect it. Urgent matters? Go ahead and email [colleague’s name]. Non-urgent ones? Sit with them. Reflect. Meditate. Or just wait. Thanks for understanding my brief escape from corporate chaos.
7. OOO until [insert date], and yes, I packed 11 books I won’t read.
I’m away right now, bravely facing the anxiety of relaxation. My out-of-office vibes are strong, my inbox is ignored, and my phone is on Do Not Disturb unless I accidentally bump it. If your email requires immediate attention, kindly reach out to [colleague’s name], who actually knows what’s going on. I’ll reply once I’ve returned, possibly more rested, but definitely more confused about how vacation days disappear faster than PTO accrues.
8. On a break, like Ross and Rachel. But more committed.
I’m currently OOO until [insert date], taking a break that’s long overdue but still feels slightly illegal. Don’t worry, I’ll be back soon enough to resume panicking over unread notifications. In the meantime, contact [colleague’s name] for work-related things or just sit with your feelings until I return. Either way, I hope this auto-reply brings you the same level of closure that Friends never did.
9. Not here. Not reading. Not sorry.
Away on vacation and ignoring work with Olympic-level skill. I’ll be back on [insert date], probably with post-trip existential dread and a mountain of unread emails. Please don’t take this personally—this break is the emotional equivalent of turning my phone off during a group chat. Urgent issues? Try [colleague’s name]. Everything else will be triaged once I remember how to type full sentences again.
10. This inbox is on vacation and so is my will to work.
Currently out of office until [insert date], pretending my real job is being a coastal grandmother with too many cardigans and opinions about olive oil. I won’t be responding to emails, but I will be journaling about you—just kidding. Maybe. For anything pressing, reach out to [colleague’s name]. For everything else, expect a reply when I return slightly more moisturized and marginally less cynical. Thanks for your patience—or at least your accidental tolerance.