To joke or not to joke?: How to write a good out-of-office message

As the holiday season reaches its peak, many people are setting up out-of-office messages on their emails to inform colleagues and clients of their temporary absence. A well-crafted out-of-office message can help manage expectations, reduce stress, and even reflect one's professional brand. The key is to strike the right balance between being informative, polite, and engaging.

A good out-of-office message should clearly state the dates of absence, provide an alternative contact for urgent matters, and offer a brief explanation of who will be handling emails in one's stead. What's equally important is the tone - it should be professional, yet friendly. A dash of humor can be effective in setting a lighthearted tone, but it's essential to consider the audience and the company culture to avoid coming across as insensitive or unprofessional.

As we head into the new year, it's worth taking a moment to review and update out-of-office messages to ensure they are effective and reflective of one's professional image. What to watch next is how companies adapt their communication strategies to accommodate the increasing trend of remote work and extended holiday breaks. Will we see a shift towards more automated response systems, or a greater emphasis on personalization in out-of-office messages?

Originally reported by bbc.co.uk. NewsSuite adds analysis for general news readers.