Work email etiquette

If I received e-mails without any text, I think I would be suggesting some training in manners and communication.

My mortgage broker does this, I find it rather hilarious and charming. I think it's just because people are busy. Why spend more time than you need to say what you need?

Unfortunately email isn't really fit for purpose for a lot of types of communication, but it's the tool that we've all had foisted on us and people end up trying to make it work for them. I don't see why they shouldn't and I wouldn't find this rude. It's quick to write and quick to read and everyone can crack on.

If the workplace culture where you are is unpleasant perhaps that is the root issue here, rather than a desire to send the briefest of messages. And, sending longer messages also wouldn't change that...it's more fundamental!

I had one today with the subject, "No need to open [short piece of info]"

I haven't opened it, but assume it's blank.

We’re also encouraged to do this with EOM at the end.
Long emails drive me mad. We have several people in one of my teams who can’t write a concise email to the point I’ve suggested we need to offer training on concise communications.

Really don't see the problem with this, although I would say please. I can't stand all the stock phrases like 'hope you are well' etc for internal emails. There's just no need in the vast majority of cases.

Rude and i would ignore it. If it is a quick message you can message me on teams. Please is nice too

Maybe people are faster typists or use autotext.

Adding pleasantries into every email would be redundant, but if I'm emailing someone I've not seen/spoken to for a week/month/whatever then yes I will open with something more human than "oi you, do this for me".

Love subject only messages with EOM and the use of NNTR (no need to reply). Respecting my time is always appreciated and never rude! Helps to have email guide that everyone subscribes to mind...www.thensomehow.com/the-email-charter-10-rules-to-reverse-email-overload/

I can't help thinking that if people have time to type

"Dear X, I hope this email finds you well...

With best wishes,

Thepeopleversuswork"

they can't be very busy/can't be sending many emails.

I get literally hundreds of emails a day, two thirds of which are from my colleagues, many of whom I've known for a decade. I wouldn't be able to get any work done if I were putting this sort of window-dressing on every email.

I am always polite and always say please and thank you to people and obviously if its external and to someone you don't know you make it more formal than if its Sue from accounts. But there's just no need to make every email sound like it's drafted by a Victorian parish priest.

I would at least put "as subject" so they kniw there's nothing more - but if it were really just a one-liner, I'd send an IM instead. The fact you don't IM such suff makes me wonder if you have a messaging tool where you work.

I don't tend to put "how are you?" and stuff - that is irrelevant filler. The ones I actually care about, I'd have already asked on IM.

In any case, it doesn't really matter what we think - your boss thinks it's rude. I'd therefore putsime minimal words in the message.

I spend my life sending and responding to emails (I am first point of contact for clients querie, as well as our large European sales team and our UK finance team) and I would never, ever dream of sending a blank email.

Even if I am just redirecting a query I always manage a "Hi there, please can you deal with the query below" or if I'm copying people in for info I will always acknowledge I'm doing this.

A totally blank email isn't professional in my opinion (or in my experience, I get a few of them and always find them incredibly rude!!)

The one-liner EOM thing actually sounds like a good idea, but you'd have to get everyone used to it - I'd never heard of it before today.

Interesting - I am several levels up in my organisation and always use the specified wording in client emails. So far they don't seem to think I am junior/less able.

I'd put 'thanks' in the body of the email. But I wouldn't mind receiving a blank one.

That's relatively common where I work. The subject is short, with the letters EOM ("end of message") at the end so you know you don't have to open it.
They do not tend to be emails to one person with an instruction, they tend to be wider and more casual eg if there is a cake sale, (which happen periodically) that has been advertised before, the subject might say "cake sale starting now in the 4th floor kitchen EOM"

I'm much politer than most of my colleagues, trust me. About 80% of my boss's emails just a subject line with an empty email.

"X document to me by lunchtime please" is a typical example.

I said upthread please and thank you are non negotiable when asking for something. But it's utterly ridiculous to say "hope you're well?" over email to someone you've just come out of an hour-long meeting with. My colleagues would laugh at me if I did that.

Yes, I think it's rude, however, it doesn't really matter what I think.

Your manager has told you he thinks it's rude. Don't do it. Doesn't matter that you disagree, it's the recipient's view that's important here. And he's your manager.

I don't think it's rude.

The 'hey' thing is popular with younger colleagues at work. No issue with it but wouldn't use it myself.

You should see the way the pupils I teach send emails! In the subject box usually or start it off with Hey Mrs...

If someone sent me a blank email with only a subject line I would think they'd accidentally pressed send before writing the email and wait for the actual email to come through.

Things like 'please could you come out of the invoice spreadsheet' would be a teams message.

@Thepeopleversuswork

I wonder if your colleagues feel the same or if you realise how you come across.

Wouldn't bother me, but I suspect it's Better to use TEAMS for comms like that; documents the history well.

if it’s this much of a brief message, can you not just send a quick teams message or whatever programme you company uses for instant messaging? I agree it’s a bit rude and also irritating and it clogs up your inbox