I used to never turn my "out of office" on... Whether I was traveling for work o
By Laura Meyer · November 10, 2026 · Curated by George's Blog
I used to never turn my "out of office" on...
Whether I was traveling for work or taking a family vacation, I rarely turned one on. And when I did, it was usually some version of “I’m away, but still available. Responses may just be a little slower than usual.”
Which meant I wasn’t actually out of office.
I’ll admit it... I ruined more than a few family vacations this way. I’d check my inbox, stumble onto a fire drill, and suddenly, instead of being present with my family, my mind was consumed by work.
These days, I have a lot of fun turning on my OOO. Not just because it gives me permission to be fully present in whatever I’m doing, but because I’ve started having fun writing them. And honestly, some of the reactions to my cheeky bounce backs have been pretty entertaining.
I’ve also realized that being a good leader doesn’t mean being perpetually accessible. My husband has said for years that I make myself too accessible, and that it’s okay not to respond immediately. He was right. (Don’t tell him I said that.)
What is the best OOO you've ever received? I'm in need of some new material :)