Top tips to manage your Holiday inbox

We all take a well-deserved break from work but does the thought of returning to an overflowing inbox put you off taking that break?

At Emailogic we suggest that you do a little bit of planning before you go on leave.

Here are some top tips:

·       Devise a company Holiday Out of Office template – you may wish to use a different template for internal and external emails

·       Agree with a colleague that you can put their contact details on your OOO message whilst you are away

·       Make sure your message includes details of when you will be leaving and when you will return

·       You may want to include wording such as: ‘I will not be checking my inbox immediately on my return, so if it is urgent or important, please resend after my return date’.

·       Set up rules to manage messages when you are out of the office – for example, emails from your clients or managers are automatically forwarded to a specific person/ filed in a folder.

·       You may want to set up a ‘Holiday inbox’ folder and create a rule for all your emails to arrive there whilst you are away. Then you can check it at an appropriate time.

·       Finally – call your key contacts before you go away and let them know the dates you will be away. Ask them if they have any requirements before you leave and also give them the contact details of your colleague who can help them whilst you are away.

·       Do not forget to turn your Out of Office message off when you get back!

Emailogic suggests the following basic template:

Thank you for your email. 

I am currently out of the office – from [time/date until time/date]. 

I will respond when I return. If your email is urgent, please call [NAME] on [direct line/ switchboard).

Please note – I will not be checking my emails immediately on my return. If it is important, please resend your email after my return date.

Your Signature

Have a great holiday – and come back to an empty inbox! Find out more: email etiquette training