Work email etiquette

[qwerty123454]

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

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

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.

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.

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!!)

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 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.

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/

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".

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

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.

Thanks for the replies

The first thing I want to say is that I don't do this!

My manager occasionally receives emails from people and it's just a blank email and the subject line has what the sender wants doing stated in it

He has said to me that he deletes the email if people send him one like that

Interestingly, I received an email last week from somebody in another building that I don't know, I've been in the company (180 employees) for two years and she just put a subject line but did at least say please

I thought it was rude though

My manager's manager has sent me emails before and just put text in the subject line

We don't work in the nicest environment, it's a snaky high pressured sales place and a lot of two faced, back stabbers work there. I think this sending emails with no text is rude but was unsure so wanted to get opinions

I think the vast majority agree

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.

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.

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!

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