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Original poster

Do your colleagues respond to your emails?

36 replies

MillyMollyMonday · 19/10/2022 06:43

Nearly posted in staff room but didn’t want to out myself.

As part of my role I have to communicate with teachers about individual children (maybe once a week per class teacher).

Thing is, I hardly ever get even a one word reply or acknowledgment.

Now, the rational side of me is thinking that they’re just busy and see it as a one way stream of communication ( I don’t reply to all info- giving emails from management for instance). However, a bit of me feels a bit irrationally insecure about the lack of response.

Has anyone else got a no reply email etiquette in their profession? Is it just a school thing or should I take it personally? 😂

OP posts:
girlmom21 · 19/10/2022 07:54

Unescorted · 19/10/2022 07:35

@girlmom21 If they are added to an email that does not need a response what is the point of them? Maybe it is a organisation cultural thing here - it is used as a short hand for this is urgent, I need to know that you have read and digested this information. Any use of them outside that is considered unnecessary and PA prioritising of your work over that of the recipient.

Because, as I said, they're sent on emails that require an action. So if someone says they weren't aware they needed to take action I can prove that I did my bit.

girlmom21 · 19/10/2022 07:55

EarringsandLipstick · 19/10/2022 07:34

need to know they're aware that action does need to be taken and then it's on them to do whatever they need to next.

A read receipt will only tell you they've opened the email & nothing about how closely they've read it or their planned action.

Very occasionally read receipts are important for something important or with legal / HR relevance but doing so routinely gets very annoying, fast. I would definitely ignore them.

I don't need to know what action they're taking - just that I've done my part and made them aware that they need to do something. If they choose not to read it that's on them.

KitchenSupper · 19/10/2022 07:56

I wouldn’t have the same expectations of teachers as I would have of someone working at their desk all day, so no, I wouldn’t expect a response

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Redqueenheart · 19/10/2022 08:13

I would say that the problem is likely to be the fact that:

  • you are sending too many emails and people have switched off
  • the emails you are sending are too long with no clear action required so again people are not reading them
  • you should send reports as attachments or as a link to a document, not as text in the body of the email. Your email should say something like ''I enclose report on x for your information'' or ''can you please read the attached report and give me feedback on x by x date''.

I would try making your messages more concise and less frequent and making it clear within a few words what action/response is required.

I can't stand organisations where some people seem to spend their entire day sending pointless emails copying several people in just for the sake of it...

sandytooth · 19/10/2022 08:15

MillyMollyMonday · 19/10/2022 06:52

@sandytooth very good question. They do actually reply to the quick question emails but the longer ones (where I’m sending a report for instance) don’t get a reply.
I always invite queries etc but try to avoid giving them a job to do by asking too many questions that need a response. Actually, I think you’ve just helped me answer my own question!

I think that's it then. People don't know you want a response or what the response should be.

sandytooth · 19/10/2022 08:16

you should send reports as attachments or as a link to a document, not as text in the body of the email. Your email should say something like ''I enclose report on x for your information'' or ''can you please read the attached report and give me feedback on x by x date''. this is great advice. A very clear last line asking for a response with the date I'm bold is very helpful to me.

Rainbowshine · 19/10/2022 09:24

As others have said, you need to change how you are using email, if you want to see a different response.

Do you use Outlook?
You can tag people when they need to action something - we use it for urgent items so it’s easy to see what you need to do.
I get 100 to 150 emails a day, and am in meetings for 70% of my time, so long emails that have no obvious action or relevance for me are skim read and flagged if I think it’s relevant.

The trouble with emails is that they benefit the sender more than the recipient.
You’ve sent it so that task is off your list and now on someone else’s.
Think about your audience (recipients) and how to make it easier for them.
Shorter emails with clear messages about if this is information or actions are necessary is crucial.

It should not be used to dump your lengthy views on others and expect them to respond with some acquiescence (looking at my nemesis colleague who does this regularly, and wonders why he isn’t being voted for in the work’s council elections as a representative).

EarringsandLipstick · 19/10/2022 18:50

I don't need to know what action they're taking - just that I've done my part and made them aware that they need to do something. If they choose not to read it that's on them.

Sending the email does that. What purpose does a read receipt serve?

You've emailed them, you don't require to know about the action, and you don't care if they read it or not - so what purpose does setting a read receipt serve?

Your action was to email & you've done that.

girlmom21 · 19/10/2022 19:03

EarringsandLipstick · 19/10/2022 18:50

I don't need to know what action they're taking - just that I've done my part and made them aware that they need to do something. If they choose not to read it that's on them.

Sending the email does that. What purpose does a read receipt serve?

You've emailed them, you don't require to know about the action, and you don't care if they read it or not - so what purpose does setting a read receipt serve?

Your action was to email & you've done that.

Because if they come back I try to say I never gave them the correct information I have proof they received it. I can prove they didn't miss the email and I communicated to them properly.

Maybe it's overkill but I've been screwed over by dicks in previous companies who'll throw everyone under the bus to protect themselves so I make sure I have evidence of everything I've done.

surreygirl1987 · 19/10/2022 19:34

I don't like read receipts either.

OP, I'm a teacher too and I get upwards of 50 emails a day. It's ridiculous. I somehow have to read and deal with them between my lessons... and planning and marking of course. There's no way I waste my time replying to an email unless it explicitly requires a reaponse. Don't take it personally. If you desperately want a reply, put something that requires them getting back to you. But please don't do it for the sake of it!!

surreygirl1987 · 19/10/2022 19:35

Because if they come back I try to say I never gave them the correct information I have proof they received it. I can prove they didn't miss the email and I communicated to them properly

Urgh. This is why I don't like read receipts... there's a sense of covering your back and already planning blame.

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