The Philosophy of the Out-of-Office Email
Out-of-office emails can range from simple notifications to elaborate statements about work-life balance. Some individuals choose to auto-delete emails while on vacation, challenging conventional email etiquette. The article discusses various perspectives on crafting out-of-office messages and the complexities of transitioning back to work after time off.
- ▪Out-of-office messages can be a simple one-liner or a grand statement about work and life.
- ▪In 2018, Marina Koren reported on the trend of auto-deleting emails during vacations.
- ▪Lora Kelley proposed the 'goldilocks theory' for out-of-office messages, advocating for simplicity.
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The Wonder ReaderThe Philosophy of the Out-of-Office EmailThese messages can be a rote obligation or an opportunity to make a grand statement about work and life.By Isabel FattalJurgaR / GettyJune 6, 2026, 11 AM ET ShareSave This is an edition of The Wonder Reader, a newsletter in which our editors recommend a set of stories to spark your curiosity and fill you with delight. Sign up here to get it every Saturday morning.For some people, an out-of-office message is a simple one-line email. For others, it’s an opportunity to make a grand statement about the relationship between work and life. In 2018, Marina Koren reported on the emailers who auto-delete all new messages while they’re on vacation.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at The Atlantic.
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