August 2, 2019 | Rachel Wagner If you enjoyed this, please share:Got a vacation coming up? You know the importance of good office etiquette when you’re at work. But, office etiquette still rules when you’re out of the office on vacation. Yes, you have a lot on your packing and to-do list before heading off for that week on the beach, cabin in the mountains or traipsing the Great Wall of China. But, don’t forget the out-of-office items to keep things running smoothly with your team and direct reports when you’re away. These 4 tips for out of office etiquette will keep you in the good graces of your coworkers and clients alike. Communicate your absence to clients. Send an email with the dates you’ll be away and who will cover for you. Introduce your replacement in the email with complete title and contact information. The client will appreciate knowing if you can be reached by email while you’re away or if they should communicate directly with your replacement. Be sure to copy (cc) your replacement in the email. Update your Outlook calendar before you leave. Note your days off so others who are trying to plan meetings that may involve you will know that you’re away. This will help eliminate projects or your input on decisions being delayed and causing frustration by all parties. Schedule a detailed automatic out-of-office email reply. There’s nothing worse than emails piling up in your Inbox not being responded to. Busy professionals expect timely responses and you don’t want to keep people hanging. Write an automatic response that both internal and external contacts will receive that includes the following: The dates you’ll be out of the office and what day you’ll return Whether you’ll be responding to emails while you’re away…or not Who can be contacted, if necessary, in your absence Provide name, title, email and phone numbers for the alternate contact and/or for emergencies Change the voice mail recording on your office and mobile phone. Keep it brief but include when you’ll return to the office and alternate contact information for someone who can assist in your absence. Out of office etiquette is essential for your professionalism. In addition, it shows respect and consideration for clients, coworkers and direct reports. Now, go ahead and traipse the Great Wall of China or sip a tropical drink under your beach cabana. And…rest assured that you left things in good order with your office team. You may also like to read Communications Etiquette: Responding to Work Emails, Phone Calls and Texts. Rachel Wagner is a licensed business etiquette consultant, trainer and speaker. Her Oklahoma-based business etiquette firm, Rachel Wagner Etiquette and Protocol, provides business etiquette training and professional development for a variety of industries in Oklahoma and nationally. For more information, you may visit her website www.EtiquetteTrainer.com. Photos source: Rachel Wagner