To not reply to FYI work emails?

[PurpleTreeFrog]

I don't just mean emails that have the letters "FYI" somewhere, I mean emails that are literally just info or actions, not necessarily requiring any real response other than a "thanks for this"...

I asked because I got told off recently for not replying to emails of this kind! I felt that it's a waste of time, and just clogs up peoples inboxes with thank yous... particularly when I only work part time so by the time I see the email a couple of days have passed and the information is often old news...

AIBU/rude not to reply? Do you expect a "Thanks, will take a look at this" or "thanks, will do this by Friday"? Or is it unnecessary?

If you're asked to do something reply as a courtesy so they know you'll do it. Otherwise...delete

If i want a response I ask a question. If there is no question i don't expect an answer.

Like you I'm annoyed by pointless emails clogging up my inbox. I would suggest to the person that commented that they wanted a response that they should be clear about that in their email.

If you have been given actions or info specific to your job then yes you should reply.

If it's some interesting info to the team or department then not necessary.

But little if I ask someone to do something I assume they will do it. If I am not sure if they can or will then I will ask. I would only expect a response if my assumption was wrong.

My manager does this. Everything I send she responds with

Dear Cogito

Many thanks

Kind regards

Manager

(With names obvs). It drives my up the wall. It clogs up my mailbox and means I have to trawl through hundreds of emails from her to check what I actually need to read.

If people expect an answer, they'll ask a question.

You are right to not clog up inboxes.

So yanbu

YANBU

I don't reply to FYI emails

cogitosum Oh god, that is word for word what my manager does. I think he's expecting the same back from me. He's such a nice bloke but I think these emails are usually unnecessary!

I read this thinking you meant emails which you were copied in on but have nothing to do except read it. I definitely wouldn't reply to that and might think anyone who did needing to take on a bit more actual work

If I have an action to do though I would reply to say "yes, on it" in a more worky way

God, I do this all the time, as basically a big part of my job is following up with people!

I wouldn't expect a response unless the person I am emailing has a question.

OP and Cogito, why don't you suggest to your respective managers that you will send them info only emails with a received or read request? Tell them this will save them time and they can then not be paranoid about a possible scenario where you think they've been informed of something but the email
lost. Then you can easily delete or file all the delivery confirmations away from the useful replies