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When my manager stops freaking out when an email goes unanswered for 10 minutes (or I get a new job), then I'll stop checking my email so often.
by v64 10y ago
When my manager stops freaking out when an email goes unanswered for 10 minutes (or I get a new job), then I'll stop checking my email so often.
- harryh 10y agoYour manager isn't a god. (S)he's just your boss. Tell them that you check email once an hour (or whatever interval you prefer) and respond to everything in batches. You find that allows you to better focus on your core work and that you're overall more productive that way. If (s)he asks you to change your routine just say no. Try it. It's very empowering.
- v64 10y agoSome of my team have fought this battle and lost. If you don't respond, you get a tap on the shoulder which is even more distracting. Unfortunately, the number of people who find this annoying are in the minority, so it is what it is. If it's the worst thing I have to deal with at work, I'll live.
- jsmeaton 10y agoI'd prefer the manager getting up and tapping me on the shoulder even if that is more distracting. Then at whatever review you might have (or not) say that constant interruptions have a negative affect on the work you do. Your manager sounds like a bad one.
- v64 10y agoI don't want to heap the blame entirely on him. Other people I work with also hold the opinion that emails should be responded to as soon as possible, so he has support. It's all relative, and they certainly pay me well enough for the trouble.
- adamconroy 10y agoYes, its generally much faster to have a quick conversation rather than reply to an email.
- jsmeaton 10y agoSometimes yes, sometimes no. Distraction factor also counts. My comment was probably a little arrogant though. The reason I said I'd prefer that was so that the manager would have to expend effort to get an answer immediately, to offset my own distraction. "If I have to be distracted then I'm taking you down with me" kind of thing.
- artur_makly 10y agojust offer him 2 options, either he chooses Responsiveness or Productivity. Cant have both.
- v64 10y agoHe's chosen responsiveness
- NAHWheatCracker 10y agoWorse yet, he expects both.
- BeetleB 10y agoIf you check my comment history, you'll find I say this a lot: When I last went job hunting, I would say to the interviewers: 1. I will check email 3 times a day. When I come in, around lunch, and before I leave. Is this a problem? 2. Do I need to use any kind of IM on this job? If lots of email bother you, set your standards higher. Edit: Reading other comments, I should add: I also point out that physically interrupting me in my cube is OK. Or calling me on my office phone. If it's urgent, come to me or call me. If not, send an email. People treat IM as "urgent" but then don't act as if it is. So I "ban" IM for myself.
- scholia 10y ago> I will check email 3 times a day. When I come in, around lunch, and before I leave. Is this a problem? Was going to say exactly that. Works for me too. I'm amazed more people don't do it. I use a mail client set up so I'm not aware of any incoming email until I look for it....