MLK Day away message 2025

Martin Luther King Jr. Day, observed every third Monday of January, is a tribute to the remarkable civil rights leader who advocated for equality, justice, and kindness. It’s not just a federal holiday; it’s an opportunity to reflect and honor Dr. King’s legacy. For many, it’s also a day to step away from work to volunteer, participate in community events, or spend time with loved ones. Whether you’re setting up an out-of-office email, a team announcement, or a simple note to colleagues and clients, crafting a thoughtful message for MLK Day can leave a lasting impression. To help you get started, we’ve compiled over 100 professional and empathetic away messages for a variety of situations.

Why an MLK Day Message Matters

Writing a thoughtful away message for Martin Luther King Jr. Day does more than announce that you’re out of the office—it shows respect for the significance of this day. It can also emphasize your values, strengthen client relationships, and foster connections.

Whether you’re a business owner, an organization representative, or an employee, sharing a meaningful message acknowledges the historical and cultural importance of this day, while also expressing gratitude and understanding toward those who may interact with it differently.

General MLK Day Away Messages

Professional & Neutral Messages

1. “Our office is closed today in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. We will resume normal business hours on [Date]. Thank you for your patience.”
2. “Thank you for reaching out. We are closed today in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day and will respond to all inquiries upon our return on [20 January 2025].”
3. “Today, we honor the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. I’m currently out of the office and will be back on [Date]. I’ll respond to your email as soon as possible.”

Short & Simple Messages

4. “Out of the office for MLK Day. Back on [20 January 2025]!”
5. “Our team is unavailable today in observance of MLK Day. We’ll be back tomorrow!”
6. “Closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. We’ll resume operations on [20 January 2025].”

Warm & Personal Messages

7. “Happy MLK Day! I’m away from work today as we honor the vision and values of Martin Luther King Jr. I’ll respond to your message promptly upon my return.”
8. “Today is about unity, reflection, and action. Our office is closed for MLK Day, but we look forward to assisting you starting [Date].”
9. “Thank you for your understanding as we take this day to celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. I’ll get back to you on [20 January 2025].”

Messages for Remote Workers

Acknowledging Remote Employment

10. “While I’m not in a traditional office today, I’m stepping away from work to observe MLK Day and honor Dr. King’s enduring impact. I’ll check in on [20 January 2025].”
11. “Celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Out of my home office but back online [20 January 2025].”
12. “Today, I step away from my desk at home to reflect on the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. I’ll reply to emails on [20 January 2025].”

Flexible Time-Off Messages

13. “Thank you for your patience—I’m taking the day off in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day but will respond as soon as I return!”
14. “Out today for MLK Day. I’ll be checking my inbox for emergencies but expect delayed responses.”

MLK Day Away Messages for Teams

Business-Wide Announcements

15. “Our entire team is offline today in honor of MLK Day. We’ll be back to assist you on [20 January 2025].”
16. “Please note all offices are closed today as we join the nation in celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Normal business operations will resume on [20 January 2025].”

Internal Team Messages

17. “Team, our office is closed today. Enjoy meaningful time off in honor of MLK Day, and we’ll regroup tomorrow.”
18. “To our valued team, thank you for taking this opportunity to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s vision. See you [20 January 2025]!”

Example for Slack/Team Platforms

19. “Hey @Team – Out of Office today for MLK Day. Expect calm workspaces and delayed responses!”

Service-Oriented Businesses

If you operate a business that regularly interacts with customers or clients, consider these more service-specific approaches.

Customer-Facing Notes

20. “Today, we pause operations to honor MLK Day. Your inquiries are important to us, and we’ll get back to you on [Date].”
21. “We’re closed today to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day and will reopen tomorrow. Thank you for understanding.”

Retail & Hospitality Settings

22. “On this holiday, we reflect on justice and equality. Our store is open with reduced hours, so check our website for details!”
23. “Taking a moment to honor the dream. We’re open until [Time], but support teams will return tomorrow.”

Creative and Informative MLK Day Messages

If you’re feeling creative, consider coupling your away message with a small fact or quote about Martin Luther King Jr.’s impact.

24. “We close today to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who showed us the power of dreams. ‘The time is always right to do what is right.’ Back [20 January 2025].”
25. “Observing MLK Day—a day to further the causes of equality and justice. We’ll be back to serve you tomorrow!”
26. “Today’s a reminder of progress earned and progress still to be made. We’re away honoring MLK Day but will connect again [20 January 2025].”