Oct 14 2008
Email Etiquette and the Lack Thereof
It is all too true that people who work from home face some unique and difficult challenges. Family tend to forget that we need space, quiet and time to concentrate as well as get away from the all too frequent distractions.
One friend asks about talking to friends and family who flood their email address with junk emails/jokes/chain letters and the assorted cutsie pictures we all get at one time or another. Some of them are harmless but when you are trying to get work done and have to weed through pages of emails each day, it can become tiresome.
My suggestion is to send a very nicely worded email to the effect that because of personal time contraints, you are unable to read these chain emails, and would she be so kind as to remove your name from the list. However, you would love to hear specific news about how your friend is doing and what is going on in her family and her life, because you always have time - or will find time - for your friend (or family member).
She may be miffed at first, but this works and I have done this myself without any major ramifications. Tomorrow, we talk about another friend’s question on salary comparisons at the office. See you then.
For those who don’t want to risk miffing anyone, most email accounts have this excellent tool, called a filter….so you can send emails from friends/family to the friends/family folder straightaway, and then browse through it later. Leaving your inbox open for your work-related correspondence.
Great advice! Looking forward to reading more!
Miragi