Sick leave auto reply: 8 templates without over-sharing.
A sick leave automatic reply should say you are out, when you expect to be back and who to contact, without medical details. Pick a sample below.
A sick leave automatic reply should say you are out, when you expect to be back and who to contact, without medical details. Pick a sample below.
Sick-day auto-replies should: (1) confirm you're out, (2) give an expected return time, (3) name a backup, (4) skip details. The 8 templates below cover one-day, multi-day, contagious illness, mental health, recovery from procedure, and 'I really shouldn't be working' scenarios.
'Hi - I'm out sick today, back tomorrow. For urgent matters: [backup] at [email]. Otherwise I'll respond tomorrow.'
'Hi - I'm out sick this week and will return when I'm feeling better, likely [estimated date]. For urgent matters: [backup] at [email]. I'll respond to non-urgent emails when I'm back.'
'Hi - I'm out with a contagious illness through approximately [date]. To protect those I'd be meeting in person, I'm fully off until I'm cleared. For urgent matters: [backup]. I'll respond to non-urgent emails when I return.'
'Hi - I'm taking a mental health day today and will be back tomorrow. [Backup] is handling urgent matters: [email]. Thanks for understanding.'
(Or, if you prefer privacy: 'I'm taking a personal day' - equally valid.)
'Hi - I'm recovering from a planned medical procedure and will return [date]. [Backup] has full authority on my matters during this window: [email] / [phone]. Thanks.'
'Hi - I'm out for medical reasons and have very limited email access. [Backup name] is handling all urgent matters with full authority: [email] / [phone]. I'll respond to non-urgent emails when I'm able to return.'
'Hi - I'm offline today managing a flare-up and will be back online when I'm feeling better, likely tomorrow. For urgent matters: [backup]. Otherwise I'll respond when I return.'
'Hi - I'm out caring for a family member through [date]. [Backup] is handling urgent matters: [email]. I'll respond to non-urgent emails when I'm back.'
Out for part of the day? Use a half day out of office message. Just one day off: one-day out of office messages. Out for longer: medical leave out of office templates that keep your health private.
OutOfOfficePro means a sick day is a sick day, not a sick day with calls. 14 days free.
Start 14-day free trial →| Situation | Say | Skip |
|---|---|---|
| One day sick | "Out sick today, back tomorrow" | Symptoms or diagnosis |
| Several days | "Out sick through approximately [date]" | Exact return if unsure |
| Contagious | "Out with a contagious illness, fully off until cleared" | Specific illness |
| Mental health | "Taking a personal day" | Reason, if you prefer privacy |
Updated 2026.
Say you are out, give an expected return date, name a backup for urgent matters, and leave out medical details.
No. "Out of office" or "taking a personal day" is enough. Your employer may have its own sick leave policy to follow.
Two or three sentences. It only needs to confirm you are out, when you will be back and who to contact.