All emails (can? or is it just me) cause stress all of the time. People can turn email notifications off and check them when is convenient to them. Similarly, people can send emails when is convenient to them. What if you are working in, I don't know, Australia? What do you do then? - ThreadSky

duncanrobertson.bsky.social • 142 days ago

All emails (can? or is it just me) cause stress all of the time.

People can turn email notifications off and check them when is convenient to them.

Similarly, people can send emails when is convenient to them.

What if you are working in, I don't know, Australia? What do you do then?

Reposted from Astronomer Royal for Scotland | Catherine Heymans

Opinions on “out of hours” emails? I work strange hrs (blame the Long Covid) & send emails out of hours, not expecting replies. Our department head just asked us not to do this as it causes some people stress. Horrified to think I have been unintentionally stressing people out. Thoughts please 🙏

Comments

martymcd.bsky.social•142 days ago

Not sure what you're using but in (commercial) Microsoft, for example, you can set a 'send time' for an email if you're replying out of hours?

simonhaslam.bsky.social•142 days ago

I agree. I want to be able to send emails at a time that suits me; I don’t expect instant answers - happy to wait for the recipient’s working day

kindofnorthern.bsky.social•142 days ago

It's not practical these days to set communication hours. Most workers want flexibility and besides emails, work is never ending anyway. It's more useful to set expectations that email isn't instant messaging, that people can choose when to reply etc.

davidrafferty.bsky.social•142 days ago

I disagree with the first half of this but you’re right on the second half. Email is asynchronous. The sender sends whenever is convenient for them; the recipient responds whenever is best for *them*. With, at most, an expectation of no response outside 9-5; if you get one, that’s a bonus.

leecaluan.bsky.social•142 days ago

You can schedule emails so if you are sending emails outside the recipients working hours then you’re a bit of a dick

dunc76.bsky.social•142 days ago

thinking of adding the message about sometimes working unusual hours & not expecting reply out of hours-wld certainly never expect,but can see some others may not know. Other than being considerate of timing if more sensitive content, think it’s bit difficult trying to limit when communications sent

duncanrobertson.bsky.social•142 days ago

I think the *culture* of having to reply / answer / be woken up by pinging emails has more to do with it.

And bosses set those cultures.

simonhaslam.bsky.social•142 days ago

I don’t have any pings for email - just turn off notifications

petruscrinitus.bsky.social•142 days ago

@astroroyalscot.bsky.social

Those who work in an international/intercontinental environment are used to turning off notifications when one goes to sleep.

I do occasionally become perturbed at finding US colleagues still at work when I switch notifications back on again in the morning.

duncanrobertson.bsky.social•141 days ago

The problem with academia in particular is that we have so many 'bosses'. But that's another story.

kerryhood.bsky.social•141 days ago

I try very hard to use timed send more - for when I am sorting emails at odd hours, but also if I know someone is away, I time them for when they are back.

shinyshep.bsky.social•141 days ago

My top tip is turn off email notifications on your phone, only use it in an emergency otherwise only send and receive when you’re at your laptop during your workday hours. Unless you’re prime minister or something that’s enough.

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