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[MSE Lawrence]

This is the discussion to link on the back of Martin's blog. Please read the blog first, as this discussion follows it.

Read Martin's "Why say 'I'm on annual leave'?" Blog.

Click reply to discuss below.

[x3ja]

I use "annual leave" because saying you're "on holiday" sounds like you're always jetting off to somewhere exotic, whereas you might just be enjoying a few long lie-ins. However, I do say "holiday" when that's what I'm doing - like when I'm off to Morocco soon - can't wait to see the sun - I've forgotten what it looks like!

[JimmyTheWig]

It differentiates from other types of leave - paternity leave, sick leave, sabbatical, etc.

[Adasta]

Because it's the type of leave which is given annually?

[lonestar1]

I say Im on Annual Leave because I rarely go on actual holidays but If I tell some of my work collegues Im just lazing around at home they may be tempted to call me at home if a problem crops up

[John Gray]

Saying I'm on annual leave is just a less offensive (and shorter) way of saying Yes, I knew perfectly well I was not going to be in at work, but I didn't make any effort to ask someone else to look at my emails - so you will just have to wait for an answer until I return. Tough!

[Amber Sunshine]

It would make more sense to use the term 'annual leave' here in Spain, where a lot of firms close in August because of the heat. So staff have to take holidays then.

[rb6ac]

My out of office uses the phrase 'annual leave' due to the fact I use the same mobile for work and personal calls. My mobile number is shown on my e-mail signature, and so I use 'annual leave' rather than say "I'm not in the office at the moment" to deter people from contacting me on the mobile. Not just clients, but colleagues too. And, as JimmyTheWig says, it differentiates from other types of leave. x

[notlongnow]

No idea. Its what it says at the top of my holiday form.

[Oblivion]

I'm happily retired now so my annual leave is ..... errm .... annual

Dave.

[OTTO]

It's a polite way of saying any combination of the following in one sentence:

"Leave me alone to enjoy my own free time"
"Do not try to contact me"
"I will not be replying to any emails, even though I may be monitoring them"
"I am on a super holiday of a lifetime, but I dont want you to know that"
"I'n not being paid to work, so get lost"

Probably about 200 other lines that could be added, but they all can be summed up in one line.

[seven-day-weekend]

I always just used to say I was on leave.

[Alfie E]

If we’re specifically talking about email auto-replies, could it be an Americanism? If your email system has default auto-replies, it’s more likely to offer “I’m on annual leave” than “I’m off on my summer hols.” Even if people are manually entering all of it, they may be copying what they’ve seen from other people’s default auto-replies. Americans do, on average, have less holiday than us, so annual leave means just that; it’s the one block of time that’s not a fixture like Thanks Giving.

[Mozette]

Originally Posted by JimmyTheWig

It differentiates from other types of leave - paternity leave, sick leave, sabbatical, etc.

Spot on! Anyway, I've been 'discouraged' from leaving my more frivolous type of autoreplies. Boring old gits that I work for. Actually now I just tend to say that I'm out, and will be back on DD:MM:CCYY. Which is really dull.

[kyh]

For me it differentiaites when I am at home relaxing with my family or out of the office at a meeting probably overseas - one is enjoyable and a break from work and the other isn't! If I am away from work but working then feel free to ring me - if I am with my family - DON'T

[before hollywood]

i only use the phrase at work, as of saturday 6pm if you email me the automated reply will state

'annual leave till 12th of september'

meaning 'get lost and do it yourself for a change, i'm abroad for the first time in 7 years'

[Jenna]

I use "annual leave" because I work for a global blue-chip company ... and out-of-office responses saying things like "I'm off on my hols so no one will reply to you for 2 weeks - hah!" are frowned upon for some reason...!

Also because it can sound arrogant (I think, anyway) to announce to the world at large that you are currently sunning yourself in some far-flung corner of the globe.

And last but not least - I am a woman working in an office full of men. I dress smartly at work and like to be thought of as a professional and responsible person ... and I don't want to conjure up images of me in a bikini (need I say more? lol).

Interesting one though!

[frugalpam]

Not a phrase I use - my auto reply at work says 'I'm on holiday', and I hope they're jealous when they read it

[bramblejam]

It's a kind of office-ese. These days employers are getting more prescriptive about these things and generally give you the wording. I generally put "I am out of the office ..." as I don't want people to think I'm away and burgle me.

bramble

[iieee]

Originally Posted by x3ja

I use "annual leave" because saying you're "on holiday" sounds like you're always jetting off to somewhere exotic, whereas you might just be enjoying a few long lie-ins. However, I do say "holiday" when that's what I'm doing - like when I'm off to Morocco soon - can't wait to see the sun - I've forgotten what it looks like!

Ditto above. I guess I'm just pedantic.