Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Work email etiquette

66 replies

qwerty123454 · 28/10/2023 17:36

Do you think it's rude to send an email within your own company that contains no text?

The subject line of the email will be for example "Transfer the Merc A180 to BCA"

My manager deletes any email that gets sent to him if it only has a subject line and no text within the email

He says it's rude

I'm on the fence, I think it depends on how well you know the person that you've sent the email to

OP posts:
EmpressaurusOfCats · 28/10/2023 17:44

CesareBorgia · 28/10/2023 17:41

Unless I'm on the phone with someone and quickly emailing e.g. a document while we talk, I'll always include text.

That’s the only time I’d do it too.

BitofaStramash · 28/10/2023 17:44

Please, thank you - the bare minimum

'hope you are well' or similar sentiment s also a nice human thing to add

Doggymummar · 28/10/2023 17:43

I don't think it's rude, but I wouldn't do it myself.

LovelyGreenCushions · 28/10/2023 17:42

No. That is time efficient. No need to open the email.
That is how email used to be used- before it got all- I hope that you are well and hugs and kind regards

fluffypotatoes · 28/10/2023 17:42

Unbelievablely rude

RoomOfRequirement · 28/10/2023 17:42

It is rude af. I'd ignore those emails but I've ever actually gotten one.

Rosecoffeecup · 28/10/2023 17:42

I'm the same as you - depends what it is and who is sending. Wouldn't care if it was my manager, or my immediate team.
Something like "can you come out of the holiday tracker" or "can you call me" are fine just as a subject line

SamAndEIIa · 28/10/2023 17:42

I just don’t understand why you would do that. I’m not one who is unnecessarily formal but it is weird and a little rude.

Thepeopleversuswork · 28/10/2023 17:42

Do you mean an email where the subject header contains all the relevant info and there's no point typing in the body?

I think it's OK among people at a similar level who know each other well, trust each other and work closely together. I've done that a fair bit on particular teams where there's a rapid back and forth on a particular task/issue and a need to crack on with things without time for pleasantries. No one needs a load of "dear so and so" and "with warm regards" among people who communicate dozens of times a day.

I do think it would be rude if, for example, I sent an email like this to a very new junior team member with instructions. Or to my boss out of the blue, or to someone in a different office who I'd never met.

Context is all.

NigelHarmansNewWife · 28/10/2023 17:42

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 do think this is rude of you. There are plenty of times I have thought a manager was being precious or odd about something, but it was never something fundamental so you go with their preferences.

Puritizer · 28/10/2023 17:41

If it only needs one line, I would. But I also add “eom” to advise that it’s the end of message. It’s not very often I use this however.

CesareBorgia · 28/10/2023 17:41

Unless I'm on the phone with someone and quickly emailing e.g. a document while we talk, I'll always include text.

RunningUpThatBuilding · 28/10/2023 17:40

It's completely inappropriate and goes 100% against email etiquette.

The subject heading is to provide a summary of the main body email and to make the email easier to find (via search) for future reference. It is NOT meant or indeed designed to carry an message in its entirety.

It is the equivalent of breezing past someones desk and saying "file this under the Smith-Jones case" or suchlike then walking away. No salutation, no thanks, nothing.

I'd delete them as well!

Ffsnotaconference · 28/10/2023 17:39

Yes, I find that rely rude.

I don't know anyone at my company that would do that. From the board of directors down to administrators.

It takes seconds to wrote someone's name and say 'please can you do xyz, thanks'

No one is too busy for that.

MasterBeth · 28/10/2023 17:39

I would be politer to say please.

TeenDivided · 28/10/2023 17:37

seems rude to me.