Introduction
Every professional needs an out-of-office voicemail message at some point, whether for a short break, a holiday, or an extended leave. The way you communicate your absence can make a huge difference in how your customers, clients, or partners perceive your professionalism.
A well-written out-of-office voicemail greeting reassures callers, sets expectations, and keeps communication lines open even while you’re away. In this guide, we’ll cover:
- What makes a great out-of-office voicemail
- How to record a professional out-of-office phone greeting
- Ready-to-use out-of-office voicemail templates for vacations, holidays, business trips, and extended absences
- Best practices for tone, structure, and delivery
- 50+ copy-and-use out-of-office voicemail examples for every situation
Whether you’re crafting a simple out-of-office phone message, or a formal business voicemail greeting, this article gives you all the tools to sound polished, confident, and approachable.
Why You Need an Out-Of-Office Voicemail Message?
When someone calls and gets silence, confusion, or a generic “leave a message after the tone,” it damages your professional image. A thoughtful out-of-office voicemail greeting prevents that.
Here’s why having a professional out-of-office voicemail matters:
- Sets expectations: Callers know when you’ll be back.
- Reduces frustration: They understand you’re not ignoring them.
- Builds trust: It shows responsibility and respect for others’ time.
- Keeps communication flowing: You can redirect callers smartly to colleagues or alternate numbers.
- Reinforces brand professionalism: Your voicemail tone reflects your company’s values.
Even if you’re gone for just a few days, your out-of-office voicemail is a simple yet powerful customer service touchpoint.
What to Include in a Professional Out-of-Office Voicemail?
A great out-of-office voice message is short, clear, and helpful. Include:
- Your name and company: “Hi, you’ve reached Sarah from XYZ…”
- Reason for absence: “I’m currently out of the office…”
- Dates: “…from October 12 to October 20.”
- Availability info: “I’ll have limited access to voicemail.”
- Alternate contact: “For urgent matters, please contact John at 555-1234.”
- A polite closing: “Thanks for your call, I’ll get back to you soon.”
Now let’s explore message styles and ready-to-use out of office voicemail templates for various scenarios.
Short & Simple Out-of-Office Voicemail Message Examples
If you’ll be gone briefly, maybe for a day or two, then a concise out-of-office phone greeting is ideal. These are to the point and still sound professional.
Examples:
“Hi, you’ve reached [Name]. I’m out of the office today and will return on [Date]. Please leave your name, number, and message, and I’ll get back to you when I return.”
“Hello, this is [Name] at [Company]. I’m away from the office until [Date]. For urgent matters, contact [Backup Name] at [Phone]. Thank you.”
“Hi there! I’m currently out of the office and will be back on [Date]. Please leave a message and I’ll return your call promptly.”
“You’ve reached [Name]. I’m out until [Date] and won’t be checking voicemail regularly. Please contact [Backup Contact] for immediate help.”
“Hello, I’m away from my desk today. I’ll be back on [Date]. Please leave your details and I’ll follow up soon.”
“Hi, this is [Name]. I’m out of office for the day and will return tomorrow. Thank you for your call.”
“Hello, this is [Name]. I’m currently unavailable. Please leave your contact info and I’ll call back once I’m back in office.”
“Hi! You’ve reached [Name]. I’m away until [Date]. I’ll respond as soon as I return. Thanks!”
“Hey there, I’m out of the office and will be back [Date]. Please leave a message.”
“Hi, this is [Name]. I’m currently out of office and will return on [Date]. For urgent inquiries, contact [Backup Contact].”
These short out-of-office voicemail message examples are perfect when you just need something quick, direct, and courteous.
Vacation Out-of-Office Voicemail Message Examples
When you’re taking a well-earned break, your out-of-office vacation voicemail message can be friendly yet professional. Make sure it mentions when you’ll return and whether you’ll monitor messages.
Examples:
“Hi, you’ve reached [Name] at [Company]. I’m on vacation until [Date] and will not be checking messages during this time. Please contact [Backup Name] at [Phone] for assistance.”
“Hello, this is [Name]. I’m away on vacation through [Date]. If your matter is urgent, please reach [Backup Contact]. Otherwise, leave a message and I’ll reply when I return.”
“Hey there! I’m currently out of office enjoying some time off. I’ll be back on [Date]. For urgent issues, call [Backup Name].”
“Hi, you’ve reached [Name]. I’m on holiday until [Date]. I’ll return calls when I’m back. Thanks for your patience!”
“Hello, this is [Name]. I’m away from work for vacation until [Date]. Please leave a detailed message, and I’ll respond upon my return.”
“Hi! You’ve reached [Name]. I’m on vacation and won’t be available until [Date]. Please reach [Backup] if you need immediate help.”
“Hi there, I’m out of office on vacation. I’ll be back [Date]. Leave your contact info and I’ll return your call after that.”
“Hello, this is [Name]. I’m away on a family vacation until [Date]. For assistance, contact [Backup Contact / Department].”
“Hi, you’ve reached [Name]. I’m taking some time off until [Date]. I’ll reply to your message once I return.”
“Hello! I’m out of office for vacation through [Date]. For urgent requests, please contact [Backup].”
These vacation voicemail message examples help maintain professionalism while letting your callers know you’re off the clock.
Holiday Out-of-Office Voicemail Message Templates
Holidays are one of the most common reasons for a temporary voicemail change. Make your out-of-office voicemail message for holidays polite, warm, and timely.
Examples:
“Happy Holidays! You’ve reached [Name] at [Company]. Our offices are closed for the holidays and will reopen on [Date]. Please leave a message, and we’ll return your call then.”
“Season’s greetings! This is [Name]. I’m currently out of the office for the holidays and will return on [Date]. Thank you for your understanding.”
“Hello, this is [Name] at [Company]. We’re currently closed for the holiday break. Please leave your name, number, and message, and we’ll get back to you on [Date].”
“Hi, you’ve reached [Name]. Our office is closed for the [Holiday] and will reopen [Date]. Please leave a message.”
“Hello! I’m out of office for the holiday season. I’ll return on [Date]. Have a wonderful holiday!”
“Hi, this is [Name]. We’re on a short holiday break until [Date]. Leave your details and I’ll respond once we reopen.”
“Happy Holidays! I’m out of the office until [Date]. Please contact [Backup Name] for urgent matters.”
“Hi, you’ve reached [Name]. Our business is closed for [Holiday]. We’ll resume normal operations on [Date].”
“Season’s greetings! I’m currently out for the holidays and will be back [Date]. Thank you for reaching out.”
“Hello, and happy holidays! I’ll be out of the office through [Date]. For urgent needs, contact [Backup Contact].”
These out-of-office voicemail message examples for holidays balance friendliness and professionalism perfectly.
6. Extended Absence Voicemail Greeting Samples
If you’re taking an extended leave, such as maternity leave, medical leave, or sabbatical, your extended absence greeting should be clear about your duration and provide alternate support.
Examples:
“Hi, this is [Name]. I’m currently out on extended leave until [Date]. Please contact [Backup Name / Department] for assistance.”
“Hello, you’ve reached [Name]. I’m on leave and won’t be returning until [Date]. Please direct urgent matters to [Backup].”
“Hi, this is [Name]. I’m on maternity leave through [Date]. Please reach [Backup Contact] for immediate help.”
“Hello, this is [Name]. I’m currently on extended leave. If you require assistance, contact [Backup Name] at [Email/Phone].”
“Hi there, I’m away from the office for an extended period. Please contact [Department] for ongoing projects.”
“Hello, you’ve reached [Name]. I’ll be out until [Date] and will not be checking voicemail. Please contact [Backup Contact] instead.”
“Hi, I’m currently on medical leave and unavailable until [Date]. Contact [Backup] for any urgent issues.”
“This is [Name]. I’m on sabbatical until [Date]. Please leave a message, or contact [Backup Contact] if it’s urgent.”
“Hi, this is [Name]. I’m out of office on long-term leave. Please contact [Backup] at [Email].”
“Hello, you’ve reached [Name]. I’m currently on leave until [Date]. For urgent matters, reach out to [Backup Contact].”
These extended absence voicemail templates keep communication smooth even during long breaks.
Professional Business Out-of-Office Voicemail Examples
For corporate roles, clients, or B2B communication, tone matters. Use these professional out of office voicemail scripts to sound polished and reliable.
Examples:
“Hello, you’ve reached [Full Name], [Title] at [Company]. I’m currently out of the office and will return on [Date]. For immediate assistance, please contact [Alternate Contact].”
“Good day. This is [Full Name], [Title]. I’m away from the office until [Date]. Please contact [Alternate Contact] at [Phone] for urgent matters.”
“Hi, you’ve reached [Full Name]. I’m unavailable until [Date]. Please leave your name, company, and message, and I’ll return your call as soon as possible.”
“Hello, this is [Name], [Department / Role] at [Company]. I’m out of office until [Date]. For urgent queries, reach [Backup].”
“Good morning, you’ve reached [Name]. I’m currently out of the office and will return [Date]. Please contact [Backup Name / Department] in my absence.”
“Hi, you’ve reached [Full Name]. I’m attending an offsite meeting and will return [Date]. For urgent business, contact [Alternate Contact].”
“Hello, this is [Name]. I’m currently traveling for business and will return [Date]. Please leave a message or contact [Backup Contact].”
“Hi, you’ve reached [Name] with [Company]. I’m out of office on business travel until [Date]. Please leave your details, or contact [Backup Name].”
“This is [Name]. I’m currently unavailable due to meetings and travel. I’ll be back on [Date]. Please contact [Backup].”
“Hello, you’ve reached [Name]. I’m out of the office until [Date]. Please leave your details or reach [Backup Contact].”
These business out-of-office voicemail message examples are ideal for client-facing professionals.
Out-of-Office Voicemail Message Examples for Teams or Departments
Sometimes entire departments go offline, for maintenance, training, or events. In such cases, use a collective out-of-office voice message.
Examples:
“Hello, you’ve reached the [Department Name] team. We’re currently out of the office for training and will return on [Date]. Please leave a message, and we’ll respond then.”
“Hi, you’ve reached [Company Name]. Our office is closed today for a company event. We’ll reopen on [Date].”
“Hello, this is [Company / Department]. We’re currently unavailable due to team offsite meetings. Please leave your message.”
“You’ve reached [Company]. We’re closed for staff training until [Date]. We’ll get back to you soon.”
“Hi, this is [Company Name]. We’re away for our annual event and will return [Date]. Thank you for your understanding.”
Tips for Recording the Perfect Out-of-Office Voicemail
Recording a voicemail greeting for out-of-office requires a professional tone and clear audio. Follow these quick tips:
- Choose a quiet space for recording.
- Speak slowly, clearly, and warmly.
- Keep messages between 20–30 seconds.
- Test before activating.
- Re-record if background noise or errors appear.
- Update your greeting every time your return date changes.
- Always include an alternative contact or timeline.
- Use a VoIP platform like Emitrr to manage your missed calls and business greetings.
Out-of-Office Voicemail Template Script (Copy & Customize)
Here’s a quick out-of-office voicemail message script you can tailor:
“Hi, you’ve reached [Your Name] at [Company]. I’m currently out of the office from [Start Date] to [End Date] and will not be checking voicemail regularly. For urgent assistance, please contact [Backup Name] at [Backup Contact Info]. Otherwise, leave your name, number, and message, and I’ll return your call as soon as I’m back. Thank you.”
This works as a universal voicemail message template for most professional contexts. By using the templates in this guide, you’ll always sound polished, even when you’re offline.
How to Use Emitrr for Professional Out-of-Office Voicemail Greetings?
Creating and managing out-of-office voicemail greetings can be time-consuming, especially for businesses that receive dozens of calls each day. That’s where Emitrr AI helps simplify the process. Whether you’re stepping away for a short break, vacation, or holiday, Emitrr ensures your callers are greeted with the right voicemail message every time , automatically.
Record or Generate a Voicemail in Seconds
With Emitrr, you can either record your own greeting or let the AI generate one for you. Simply type your preferred tone and message, for example, “friendly,” “professional,” or “vacation mode,” and the system creates a natural-sounding out-of-office voicemail message in seconds.
Example:
“Hi, you’ve reached Dr. Emily at Bright Dental. I’m currently out of the office for a conference and will return on Monday. Please leave your name and number, and our team will get back to you shortly.”
Schedule Auto-Responses and Update Greetings Instantly
Emitrr allows you to schedule voicemail updates ahead of time. So, if your team is out during holidays or weekends, the system automatically switches to the appropriate out-of-office voice greeting. You can set start and end dates for each greeting, no need to manually update them every time.
Personalize Greetings by Department or Staff
You can create different out-of-office voicemail greetings for different departments or staff members. For example, the sales team can have a “We’ll get back to you soon” message, while support might use a “Submit your issue through our text line” message. This ensures a personalized caller experience and better lead management.
Convert Missed Calls into Text Conversations
One of Emitrr’s standout features is its text-back automation. When a caller reaches your out-of-office voicemail, the system automatically sends a text acknowledgment, letting them know their message has been received. This prevents missed opportunities and keeps engagement alive even outside business hours.
Example: Caller hears: “Hi, thanks for calling. Our office is currently closed.”
Then instantly receives: “Hi! This is Emitrr AI on behalf of Bright Dental. We’re currently out of office but will reach out as soon as we’re back.”
Monitor, Track, and Improve Responses
Emitrr provides call analytics so you can track how many calls go to voicemail, how many receive text follow-ups, and how many convert into booked appointments or leads. These insights help businesses improve their out-of-office voicemail scripts and refine response timing for better customer experience.
Maintain Professionalism Year-Round
Whether it’s holidays, vacations, or after-hours closures, Emitrr helps businesses sound professional and responsive. You can choose from AI-generated out-of-office voicemail message templates, record your own, or blend both for a natural, human-like tone.
Example Templates:
“Hi there! You’ve reached [Business Name]. We’re currently out of the office for the holidays and will return on [Date]. Please leave your name and number, and we’ll get back to you soon.”
“Thanks for calling [Business Name]. Our team is currently unavailable. If this is urgent, please text us, our AI assistant will make sure your message reaches the right person.”
Watch this video to see how you can set up voicemail greetings on Emitrr easily:
Frequently Asked Questions
In an out-of-office voicemail, you should briefly state that you are unavailable, include your expected return date, and provide an alternate contact if needed. For example:
“Hi, you’ve reached [Your Name] at [Company]. I’m currently out of the office until [Date]. For urgent matters, please contact [Backup Name] at [Phone]. Otherwise, leave your message, and I’ll get back to you when I return. Thank you.”
A standard office voicemail greeting introduces yourself, explains availability, and requests a message. Example: “Hello, this is [Your Name] at [Company]. I’m currently unavailable. Please leave your name, number, and a brief message, and I’ll return your call as soon as possible. Thank you.”
A temporary voicemail greeting is a short-term message used when you’re away from the office, on vacation, or out for a meeting. It informs callers of your absence and, if necessary, redirects them to someone who can help.
To leave a professional voicemail:
1. Start with a greeting and your name.
2. State the purpose of your call clearly.
3. Keep it concise (30–45 seconds).
4. Provide your contact information.
5. Close politely, e.g., “Thank you, I look forward to hearing from you.”
If you are a business, then you can use software like Emitrr to create professional voicemail greetings. Using this tool, you can record message, use AI to greet the caller, schedule the voicemail greeting, convert voicemails to text, and even view analytics and reports on the same.
Conclusion
Whether you need a quick vacation voicemail, a formal business out of office voice greeting, or a warm holiday voicemail message, having the right words ready saves time and maintains professionalism.
Next time you step away from work, don’t leave callers guessing. Use these out of office voicemail message examples to craft clear, confident, and courteous messages that speak for you while you’re away.

4.9 (400+
reviews)