Three out-of-office message templates for maternity leave - the long absence, the uncertain return, the post-baby brain fog. Sets clear boundaries and routes urgent matters away from the new mom.
Quick answer
A maternity leave OOO message states an approximate return date (newborns don't run on calendars), names a coverage contact for urgent matters, and clearly says you won't be checking email. Don't promise periodic check-ins. Use Template 1 for standard leave, Template 2 for warm/relational tone, Template 3 for brief executive style.
→ Pro tip
One coverage email gets buried during a 3-month leave.
Different urgent matters need different responders. OutOfOfficePro routes by issue type - design questions to your designer, client crises to your account lead, finance to AR. $9.99/month; cancel anytime. 14-day free trial, no card to start so you can test it before paying.
Hello,
Thank you for your email. I am currently on maternity leave and will be away from the office until approximately [return date]. I will not be checking email during this time.
For all matters during my absence, please contact [colleague name] at [colleague email]. They have full coverage of my work and will be glad to help.
For urgent matters that require immediate routing by issue type, please go to [yourname].outofofficepro.com.
I'll catch up on email when I return.
Thank you,
[Your name]
Template 2 - Warm
Warm
Hi,
Thanks so much for reaching out! I'm out on maternity leave welcoming our new addition, and will be back in the office on or around [return date]. I'm fully offline so I can be present.
While I'm gone, [colleague name] at [colleague email] is the right contact and has full context.
For urgent things by category, [yourname].outofofficepro.com routes you to the right person automatically.
Looking forward to reconnecting when I'm back.
[Your name]
Template 3 - Brief executive style
Brief
On maternity leave through [return date]. Fully offline.
All matters: [colleague name], [colleague email].
Urgent self-routing: [yourname].outofofficepro.com.
I'll respond on return.
- [Your name]
Maternity leave OOO best practices
"Approximately" the return date. Babies don't follow calendars. Use "on or around" or "approximately" - give yourself flexibility.
State you're fully offline. No promise of "I'll check occasionally." You won't, and you shouldn't.
One human coverage contact, plus a routing URL. The colleague handles the relationship; the URL handles category-specific routing for things they can't.
No apologies. You're not "sorry to be unwell" or "sorry for the inconvenience." Maternity is not a inconvenience.
Don't share medical detail. "I'm on maternity leave" is enough. No birth story in your auto-reply.
// 12 weeks. One overworked coverage contact?
Add OutOfOfficePro so urgent matters self-route - without burdening your covering colleague.
Most maternity leaves overload one person. With OutOfOfficePro at $9.99/month, your senders pick the issue type and reach the right team member directly - design questions to your designer, finance to AR, client crises to your account lead. White-label and custom domain on Pro. 14-day free trial, no card to start so you can try it.