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AIBU?

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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:
CesareBorgia · 28/10/2023 18:00

Unescorted · 28/10/2023 17:58

We are encouraged to do subject line only emails with EOM at the end.... So people can read and delete without opening them.

If it's an encouraged custom in your workplace, that's fair enough - though not sure why you wouldn't use Teams or similar for one line messages.

RigorMortisRadio · 28/10/2023 18:01

I do it occasionally e.g. 'X is now ready for you to review' but I attended a training session this week called 'Work smarter not harder' and this is one of the email tips we were given.

Unescorted · 28/10/2023 18:02

@CesareBorgia It can't be deleted in our Teams.

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 28/10/2023 18:02

I used to do it when we were in the office before covid if I took a message for someone - please call xxxxxx from xxxxxxx on 01234567890. I found people wouldn't necessarily open emails and as there if nothing more to say there was no point in adding text

HalebiHabibti · 28/10/2023 18:03

I would go to the polite extreme.

Subject - the subject (ie transfer of X to Y)
Text - good morning. I hope this email finds you well. Please transfer X to Y.
Sign off - Kind regards, your name

Do this every time.

BitofaStramash · 28/10/2023 18:03

@Thepeopleversuswork

You couldn't manage a please and thank you?

ActDottie · 28/10/2023 18:04

I wouldn’t send an email like that at work - would probably delete it too if I received one

Thepeopleversuswork · 28/10/2023 18:06

BitofaStramash · 28/10/2023 18:03

@Thepeopleversuswork

You couldn't manage a please and thank you?

Please and thank you, yes, that's just basic manners.

But "how are you?" and "hope you are well?" and "best wishes" are completely OTT for brief discussions among colleagues who work closely together and have been in touch multiple times that day. Unnecessary, pointless and distracting.

Nodsmileandbiteyourtongue · 28/10/2023 18:09

I send these.

im a teacher and expected to let the office know if a pupil has arrived after the register is closed in form time.

i just send the required info

XX is now in. In the subject line.

I am in the middle of taking the class so really my attention is needed elsewhere.

I never considered it rude. Better check with the office just in case as I seem to be in the minority!

Thepeopleversuswork · 28/10/2023 18:11

HalebiHabibti · 28/10/2023 18:03

I would go to the polite extreme.

Subject - the subject (ie transfer of X to Y)
Text - good morning. I hope this email finds you well. Please transfer X to Y.
Sign off - Kind regards, your name

Do this every time.

You see I think that kind of email makes people look junior.

I've noticed that there's an inverse correlation between seniority and formal language. The more senior the person, the less they flower up their communication. "I hope this email finds you well" to me makes someone sound inexperienced and a bit cringing.

Being polite is important, but overdoing it undermines your authority.

AgnesX · 28/10/2023 18:13

I'd IM it, having asked "could you ....thankyou". Basic good manners regardless of your level and a necessity of you're senior asking a junior.

coxesorangepippin · 28/10/2023 18:14

As long as you don't reply you're welcome every time someone says thanks

Ponderingwindow · 28/10/2023 18:16

In those situations I will copy the subject into the body of the text

it is redundant,but it does feel odd to send a blank email.

Internal emails to people you email constantly do not need fluffy softeners that waste time. If someone has a genuine bit of chit chat to add that is fine, but hope you are well needs to die.

happyinherts · 28/10/2023 18:19

I really hate 'hope you are well.' The sender has no interest in the recipient's health, only wants attention to the email.

But - yes, just the subject line is incredibly rude. Where's the please or thank you? I think I'd mention it to sender or line manager as I'd not wish to work like this - colleagues with no respect for manners.

MidnightOnceMore · 28/10/2023 18:19

Unescorted · 28/10/2023 17:58

We are encouraged to do subject line only emails with EOM at the end.... So people can read and delete without opening them.

Same, it saves time.

We do it for info and with close colleagues.

I don't consider it rude, wouldn't use it with people I don't work closely with - the same group of people you might stick a post it on their screen saying e.g. Sue from Payroll called

Breadahead · 28/10/2023 18:20

Thepeopleversuswork · 28/10/2023 18:11

You see I think that kind of email makes people look junior.

I've noticed that there's an inverse correlation between seniority and formal language. The more senior the person, the less they flower up their communication. "I hope this email finds you well" to me makes someone sound inexperienced and a bit cringing.

Being polite is important, but overdoing it undermines your authority.

Show quote history

Agree.

CateringPanic · 28/10/2023 18:22

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

lljkk · 28/10/2023 18:29

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

BitofaStramash · 28/10/2023 18:49

@Thepeopleversuswork

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

Girasoli · 28/10/2023 18:58

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.

tinytemper66 · 28/10/2023 19:14

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

CesareBorgia · 28/10/2023 19:41

tinytemper66 · 28/10/2023 19:14

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

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

Honeyandwine · 28/10/2023 19:52

I don't think it's rude.

UsingChangeofName · 28/10/2023 19:52

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.

Thepeopleversuswork · 28/10/2023 19:55

BitofaStramash · 28/10/2023 18:49

@Thepeopleversuswork

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

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.