A short rant about email auto-replies.

“I will have limited access to email” is a phrase often used in out-of-office replies. I accept the statement, but I suspect that it’s rarely true.

Yes, there are times when we go off the grid. Into the woods. On a spaceship. Into a fallout shelter. Places without a signal, without Wi-Fi, and without Internet.

But these cases are atypical. When we say “access to email will be limited” what we usually mean is something like:

• I’m taking personal time and I won’t be checking business email.

• Responding to work emails while I’m travelling is a challenge. I might not reply until I return.

• I’m out-of-office, so I’m only replying to critical, time-sensitive messages.

I received a “limited email access” auto-reply yesterday. And more than likely, what the sender meant was, “We’ve been working remotely because of the COVID-19 pandemic. These are new challenges and we don’t have all the answers. We also don’t have a solid plan, and as a result my reply will likely be delayed.”

It wouldn’t have been the best marketing tactic, but I’d have respected the candor.

Amidst so much change and uncertainty, now is not the time for a canned auto-reply. Now is the time for leadership and clarity in communication.