Emails to Never Send Your Boss – Our Top 4

We are now in the age where face to face communication is going by the way side in favor of texting and emailing. While it is handy, there are just some emails you should never, ever send.

When You’re On Vacation

Even over the weekend, Glen and I are in “vacation mode” and we really try not to deal with work. Being that he’s the Chief Operator for his radio station, sometimes the phone rings and he has to deal with it, but if we’re really on vacation where we packed a suit case and are off the grid, the phone calls get forwarded and the laptop stays at home. When we respond to emails while on vacation, it could set a precedent. Adam Rich, co-founder of Thrillist Media Group said that while tempting, do not respond. Finding a work/life balance is so important, so when you’re out of the office or on vacation, act like it. Set your out of office replies and don’t look at your email until you come back. If you absolutely, positively cannot be totally unavailable, set aside an hour or two of time to respond to emails and calls, but stick to the set time, otherwise you may as well just be at work.

The Forward

I know the woman in the middle of stampeding bunnies video is hilarious, but please don’t send it to the whole office. We don’t have time; and especially don’t send it to your boss. Including the head honcho on emails like that could make your boss think that you don’t have enough to do, or if you do have enough to do, could be seen as not making good use of self directed time. Share it on your Facebook page instead. Off work hours, of course.

The Novel

Oh. My Goodness. Just get to the point! Long, rambling emails? Ain’t nobody got time for that! They aren’t going to read it and chances are you’re just going to get pulled into the boss’s office to explain what you meant. Most of the time, if you have to write a lengthy email, it could have been better said in person anyway. Hootsuite Communications Director Rob Hilsen says that if you can’t say what you need to say in three sentences, rethink sending the email and instead ask for a few moments of time to talk about it.

“I Quit!”

As tempting as it is to send the email and leave in a blizzard of papers cussing and swearing with your middle finger out the window, don’t do it. Cynthia Shapiro, author of Career Confidential says that emails that just say, “I’m miserable! I can’t take it anymore! I’m OUT!” are pretty severe and with no intonation on a screen, can be even more blown out of proportion. If you are close to walking out, send them and email and have a chat with your boss and come up with a few possible solutions and if that’s not feasible, then instead of crafting a nasty gram, craft a resignation letter, but before you jump ship, make sure you have a ship to jump to.