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Should Your Out-of-Office Message Be Funny or Professional?

Each summer, inboxes everywhere fill with out-of-office replies — and lately, they’re getting a lot more creative. Gone are the days when automated responses simply said, “I’m away until Monday.” Today, many professionals are choosing to add personality, humour, and even memes to their messages.

But it raises an interesting question: should out-of-office emails be funny? Or should they remain strictly professional?

Let’s explore what the internet — and our own Link Spaces community — thinks.

The Rise of the Funny Out-of-Office Email

Traditionally, an out-of-office message was short, polite, and practical:

“I’m away until [date]. For anything urgent, please contact [colleague].”

Now, especially among Gen Z professionals, things are changing. Funny out-of-office messages have become a workplace trend — with witty lines, clever wordplay, and even short videos making their way into inboxes.

Some of our favourite examples include:

  • “Right email. Wrong timing.”

  • “Knock knock. Who’s there? Not me.”

  • “If found, contact someone else.”

  • “I’m out of the office and probably chilling on the beach. Enjoy your work week.”

These playful messages not only make people smile but also reflect a shift in modern workplace culture — one that values personality, authenticity, and humour.

What Do Professionals Think?

According to a LinkedIn News Europe poll, 38% of professionals believe it’s acceptable to keep things light-hearted and fun in out-of-office replies, while 37% prefer a balanced tone. Only 25% felt messages should remain strictly professional.

The general consensus?

  • External emails (to clients or partners) should stay polished and aligned with the company’s tone.

  • Internal emails (to colleagues) can be more relaxed and humorous.

At Link Spaces, we ran our own poll on Instagram and found a similar split:

  • 50% said professional externally, funny internally.

  • 50% said keep it fun all around.

It seems people want their out-of-office replies to show personality — but still know when to keep it appropriate.

A Gen Z Perspective

We also asked one of our Gen Z team members for her thoughts on the trend. Her take?

“To a certain extent, it should remain professional because you never know who might be contacting you. But if it’s an internal colleague, it could be fun — I’d definitely have a giggle!”

Her comment reflects what many young professionals believe: workplace communication should stay respectful, but there’s room for humour when it fits the audience.

Finding the Right Balance

Whether you work in a coworking space, a corporate office, or remotely, your out-of-office message says something about your professional brand.

Here are a few tips to strike the perfect balance:

  1. Match your tone to your audience. Keep external emails professional but feel free to get creative internally.

  2. Stay on-brand. Make sure your humour aligns with your company’s values and culture.

  3. Keep it short. Even funny messages should be clear and concise.

  4. Test the waters. If in doubt, ask a colleague to proofread your OOO message before setting it live.

The Final Word: Fun Is Fine — With Boundaries

So, should out-of-office emails be funny? Yes — as long as it’s appropriate.
Humour can make your message more memorable and relatable, but professionalism should never be lost in the process.

At Link Spaces, we believe work should balance productivity and personality — and your out-of-office email is no exception. After all, communication is part of company culture, whether you’re in the office or out enjoying some well-earned time off.