At work, a polite “do not disturb” message should set a clear boundary while telling people when or how to contact you instead. Phrases such as “I’m in focus time right now,” “please check back after 2 p.m.,” and “please message me and I’ll reply when I’m free” are firm without being abrupt.
Set a Boundary Without Sounding Abrupt
- Please do not disturb
- Please hold non-urgent questions until later
- I’m in focus time right now
- I’m working without interruptions until [time]
- Please message me and I’ll reply when I’m free
- I’m heads-down on a deadline
- I’m unavailable for drop-ins at the moment
- Please check back after [time]
- I’m in a focused work session
- Can we catch up later?
- Unless it’s urgent, please hold this until [time]
- I’m not available right now, but I’ll get back to you
Please do not disturb
Direct and appropriate for a door sign or status when interruptions genuinely need to stop.
Example: Please do not disturb until 11:00 unless it’s urgent.
Please hold non-urgent questions until later
Clear and courteous when you can postpone routine interruptions.
Example: Please hold non-urgent questions until after the client call.
I’m in focus time right now
Natural workplace wording for a protected period of concentrated work.
Example: I’m in focus time right now, but I’ll be available after lunch.
I’m working without interruptions until [time]
Sets a clear expectation and gives colleagues a specific point when you will be available again.
Example: I’m working without interruptions until 2 p.m.; I’ll check messages after that.
Please message me and I’ll reply when I’m free
Useful when people can still send a request without expecting an immediate answer.
Example: Please message me and I’ll reply when I’m free this afternoon.
I’m heads-down on a deadline
Informal workplace language for a period when you need to concentrate on urgent work.
Example: I’m heads-down on a deadline until noon, so I may be slow to respond.
I’m unavailable for drop-ins at the moment
Specific and polite when the problem is unscheduled in-person interruptions.
Example: I’m unavailable for drop-ins at the moment, but you can book time with me this afternoon.
Please check back after [time]
Simple and practical for a door sign, desk notice, or status message.
Example: Please check back after 3 p.m. unless the matter is urgent.
I’m in a focused work session
Professional and neutral when you want to explain why you are temporarily unavailable.
Example: I’m in a focused work session until the meeting at one.
Can we catch up later?
A polite spoken response when someone approaches at a bad time.
Example: I need to finish this before ten—can we catch up later?
Unless it’s urgent, please hold this until [time]
Makes the boundary clear while leaving an exception for genuinely urgent matters.
Example: Unless it’s urgent, please hold this until after my 11 a.m. deadline.
I’m not available right now, but I’ll get back to you
Firm but reassuring when you cannot engage immediately.
Example: I’m not available right now, but I’ll get back to you this afternoon.
Give People a Next Step
A boundary is easier to respect when it includes an alternative: say when you will be free, ask colleagues to leave a message, or explain what counts as urgent. “Do not disturb” on its own is clear, but “please message me and I’ll reply after 2 p.m.” is often more useful.