These out of office voicemail greeting examples tell callers when you will return, whether messages are monitored, and who can help while you are away.
Start with the out of office voicemail sample closest to your situation, then replace every date, phone number, and alternate contact before recording.
A direct greeting with a specific, useful return date.
“Hi, you’ve reached Alex Morgan. I’m out of the office and will return on Monday, September 14. Please leave your name, number, and a brief message, and I’ll respond as soon as possible after I return.”
Gives callers a clear alternative without making every matter sound urgent.
“Hello, you’ve reached Alex Morgan at Northstar Studio. I’m out of the office until September 14. Please leave a message for my return. If your request cannot wait, call Jordan Lee at 555-0142.”
Friendly wording that keeps personal details private.
“Hi, this is Alex. I’m away from the office on vacation and will return Tuesday, September 8. I won’t be checking voicemail regularly. Leave your name, number, and message, and I’ll call you back after I return.”
A compact message for a meeting day, event, or brief closure.
“You’ve reached Alex Morgan. I’m out of the office today and will be available again tomorrow at 9 AM. Please leave your name, number, and a short message, and I’ll return your call when I’m back.”
Sets expectations when calls and voicemail will be checked irregularly.
“Hello, you’ve reached Alex Morgan. I’m traveling for business through September 18 and have limited access to voicemail. Please leave your contact information and a brief message. I’ll respond when I’m available or after I return.”
Explains a temporary delay without oversharing the schedule.
“Hi, this is Alex at Northstar Studio. I’m attending a conference and will return Thursday, October 22. Please leave your name, number, and reason for calling. I’ll follow up when I’m back in the office.”
Tells callers exactly when normal service resumes.
“Thank you for calling Northstar Studio. Our office is closed for the holiday and will reopen Tuesday, September 8 at 9 AM. Please leave a message, and our team will return your call after the office reopens.”
Routes ongoing work to a colleague during a longer absence.
“You’ve reached Alex Morgan. I’m currently on extended leave and expect to return November 2. For assistance before then, please contact Jordan Lee at 555-0142. You may also leave a message, but responses from this mailbox will be delayed.”
An honest option when a precise return date is not yet available.
“Hello, you’ve reached Alex Morgan. I’m currently out of the office and do not yet have a confirmed return date. Please leave your name, number, and message. For time-sensitive assistance, call our main office at 555-0100.”
Works for training days, retreats, or temporary company closures.
“Thank you for calling Northstar Studio. Our entire team is out of the office for staff training and will return Friday at 9 AM. Please leave your name, number, and message, and we’ll respond when the office reopens.”
The best out of office voicemail greeting examples give callers useful availability and coverage information without sharing unnecessary personal details.
A specific date is more useful than saying you will be away “for a while.” Include the time normal availability resumes when it matters.
Tell callers whether voicemail will be checked during the absence or only after you return.
Name an alternate contact only after confirming that person can handle the calls you are routing to them.
Replace or remove the greeting as soon as you return so callers do not hear outdated availability.
Callers need to know when you are available—not your destination, itinerary, or home situation.
Do not publish a colleague’s direct number or route work to them without confirming coverage first.
State that you are unavailable, give your return date if known, explain when messages will be answered, and provide a confirmed alternate contact for genuinely time-sensitive requests.
You can, but it is not required. Saying you are out of the office gives callers the information they need while revealing less about your location and plans.
Say that your return date is not yet confirmed, explain whether the mailbox is monitored, and direct urgent business to a main office or approved colleague.
Aim for 15–30 seconds. A return date and alternate contact may make the message slightly longer, but callers should understand their next step after one listen.
Add your return date and coverage details, choose a voice, and preview the finished message.