Public Officers’ Most Creative Out-of-Office Messages

Winning Entry:

See Tze Sam, Building and Construction Authority

Sailing away from the desk and the screen,
Eager to explore, to wander and dream,
Away from the emails, the meetings, the calls,
Seeking adventure, where the wild wind calls,
If you need assistance, worry not, my friend,
Contact [colleague's name], they'll help you to mend.

Congratulations, Tze Sam! You win Klook vouchers worth S$100 for your poetic out-of-office (OOO) message. Sail on and enjoy your well-deserved reward!

Other Entries:

Delicia Tan, Attorney-General’s Chambers

On a long (but not long enough) leave from (date) to (date).

Jeeva Dharsini, Ministry of Defence

The bad news is that I’m out of office.
The good news is that I’m out of office.

Li Huimin, Republic Polytechnic

HO HO HO, I'm OOO

Mohd Sophian Bin Salim, National Library Board

I can't respond to my emails today. My cat ate my mouse.

Derrick Ong, Sentosa Development Corporation

Hi there,

You might have heard that reservist is a chill vacation for National Servicemen like us who have completed seven to eight cycles of training. But do not let these rumours get to you. During reservist, we are being trained to fight for our land. We are there to make sure that you are well protected. But fret not, I will be back by (date).

This is an important mission for our country. However, as I have no idea what my training plan is, nor can I foresee when your email comes in, I can’t say if I'll be in an ops brief, exploring the jungle and out on a mission, or in camp polishing my rifle and getting myself ready to come back to work, when I receive your email.

Of course, your email is as important for the success of our mission at the workplace, and being us (the government), there's an expected level of service. Here’s how to determine the best way to contact me:

For VERY URGENT stuff (e.g. the island is on fire): Contact me via mobile/ WhatsApp, and I will reply ASAP.

For important stuff (e.g. the system is down): Drop an email to xxx@xx.gov.sg. He is my cover when I'm gone.

For regular stuff (e.g. the system needs an upgrade): I will get back to your email when I have access to my mailbox. Do note that I might have more than 300 unread emails. If your inquiry somehow falls in between the important and regular categories, drop me another email when I'm back on (date), and I will get back to you as soon as I can.

For non-important stuff (e.g. where should we go for lunch): Why are you emailing me this?

Thank you for your kind understanding and may your day be as interesting as mine!

Text by Yoganeetha Sivakumar

Photos by Nicholas Koh