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Original poster

Colleague emailing during annual leave...

62 replies

Greenartywitch · 09/05/2025 10:12

I had two days off this week and noticed today that one of my colleagues emailed me (work email) something in the line of ''I know you are on annual leave but would you be able to send me a copy of X''.

Why was the point of that? I am on leave and I don't log into my work emails on my days off.

I am also pissed off because I made a point in our weekly team meeting on the day before my leave that I would be away for two days and to ask for anything urgent before I signed off that day.

That (male, middle aged) colleague has form in asking things at the last minute and also seem to think that his needs should be prioritised and I must say I am really starting to have enough of this.

How would you reply to his request/email?

The wider issue is that the organisation has chosen to have only one person (myself) looking after an entire function and to make the role part-time so it is not uncommon that requests cannot be answered immediately anyway...

OP posts:
CRbear · 09/05/2025 10:14

pretend you haven’t seen it

…and don’t look at your emails on annual leave again. Kindly, you brought this one on yourself!

Nomoreidea · 09/05/2025 10:14

"Hi Mike, didn't see your email as I was on annual leave. Regards, Jen"
(I originally wrote this with a "sorry" but then took it out!)

BoIIocks · 09/05/2025 10:15

I’d go back in about two days’ time with-

“Hi Jeff.

I was on leave so only seeing this now as I’m getting through my inbox.

Assume you got sorted. (No question mark)”

PullTheBricksDown · 09/05/2025 10:15

How did you know about the email if you haven't logged in? I'd ignore it till you are back at work. You made the situation very clear so he'll have to wait.

icelollycraving · 09/05/2025 10:16

Have you got out of office on?

BlueskyCherrytrees · 09/05/2025 10:16

If you are now back at work I would reply with whatever data he wanted and a polite note “for future reference I don’t check my emails while on annual leave or non working days”.

MrsSkylerWhite · 09/05/2025 10:17

Ignore.

Brefugee · 09/05/2025 10:17

did you have an OOO on? With someone to contact if you aren't there and it's really urgent?
Ignore it. Just pretend you didn't see it (why did you see it anyway?) and carry on as normal at work.

As a reply to this, i would just put a line in about i was on annual leave as advised. Nothing more relating to this instance.

For last minute requests? give a realistic time when you can answer and that is it. If there are prioritising issues, ask your direct boss what to prioritise. Maybe emphasise that timely requests don't become urgent.

Original poster
Greenartywitch · 09/05/2025 10:18

elollycraving · Today 10:16Have you got out of office on?

Absolutely! I always make sure the out of office is on and as mentioned I reminded everyone that I would be off for two days on my last day.

PullTheBricksDown · Today 10:15

How did you know about the email if you haven't logged in?

I was on leave yesterday and the day before.

OP posts:
Nomoreidea · 09/05/2025 10:18

I don't think OP did look at the email while she was off, she's back at work today

SJM1988 · 09/05/2025 10:19

I don't check my emails on annual leave (I don't get paid enough to). I clearly have an out of office that states I will not be checking emails and they need to wait until my return. I still get requests to do stuff when I am off (I never know until I am back). I just action whatever they want when back.
Just reply, 'sorry I was on annual leave. Here you go'. And leave it at that. (I usually only put sorry to be polite and dont mean it

SummerIce · 09/05/2025 10:21

Just ignore it. He would have got your out of office so just respond when you return.

Him leaving it until last minute is on him.

Edit to add that I just realised you’re back at work now. I would just respond saying “apologies, I was on annual leave so have only just picked up your email. Here you go. Kind regards, etc etc”.

No need for a big explanation or to make it an issue.

Original poster
Greenartywitch · 09/05/2025 10:21

Thank you everyone for the comments so far. That's really helpful.

OP posts:
RachelRosing · 09/05/2025 10:23

Sorry - I really don't know why you would need to post about this.

helpfulperson · 09/05/2025 10:26

I would respond something along the lines of 'just seen this as I was on AL. Do you still need?'

rosemarble · 09/05/2025 10:46

He already has his answer - in the form of your OOO and that he didn't receive a copy of X from you.

I'd reply. Dear fuckwit colleague, I'm back at work today, do you still need X?" or if you know he already has X then "I see you have X, so I'll file this as done".

tigger1001 · 09/05/2025 10:47

RachelRosing · 09/05/2025 10:23

Sorry - I really don't know why you would need to post about this.

Why does anyone need to post about anything?

ItGhoul · 09/05/2025 10:48

'Hi Colleague - I didn't see your email as I was on leave, but assume you managed to get the document you needed. Just so you know, I never log in while I'm on leave, so in future if you need anything while I'm off, ask another member of the team and they'll try to help.'

BlondiePortz · 09/05/2025 10:49

So why are you checking your emails to see it? I don't care when people 3mail i read it when I want too so don't see the issue?

rosemarble · 09/05/2025 10:54

BlondiePortz · 09/05/2025 10:49

So why are you checking your emails to see it? I don't care when people 3mail i read it when I want too so don't see the issue?

She didn't; she saw it on her return to work.

UpJacksArseAndRoundTheCorner · 09/05/2025 10:57

Just completely ignore it.

Hamandpineapplepizza · 09/05/2025 10:58

Nomoreidea · 09/05/2025 10:14

"Hi Mike, didn't see your email as I was on annual leave. Regards, Jen"
(I originally wrote this with a "sorry" but then took it out!)

These words are perfect. And yes, no apology is needed

BlondiePortz · 09/05/2025 11:01

rosemarble · 09/05/2025 10:54

She didn't; she saw it on her return to work.

Show quote history

Then just say you were on annual leave

Notchangingnameagain · 09/05/2025 11:02

Why did you check your work email whilst on annual leave to then get upset that someone emailed you while on annual leave?

Hamandpineapplepizza · 09/05/2025 11:03

Notchangingnameagain · 09/05/2025 11:02

Why did you check your work email whilst on annual leave to then get upset that someone emailed you while on annual leave?

I assumed op saw the email once she was back at work?