A related problem. When someone needs to say 'no' to something, but instead of just saying it, they pass the buck. For example, they get an email about a collaboration, and instead of just saying they not interested, they reply, "I'm not up for it, but maybe Kate would be." But they have not checked with Kate (who normally just as busy and disinterested). If it's a 'no' from you, just say it. There is no need to make it someone else's problem to say no as well. The exception is you have checked and know the other person is in fact interested!
I see what you're saying, Laura, and as a general rule don't disagree. However, I will put my expected out of office days in my email signature block well in advance of when I plan to be out. It's not uncommon for me to announce that I'm on vacation, etc. because people in my industry (lawyers) don't take care of themselves and I want to try to normalize that you can (and should!) take time away from work.
I recently had a colleague's email returned with an OOO letting me know that she had an unexpected death in the family- which was helpful. It let me know that if I needed something I should schedule my email for a time when she'd be back or deal with it another way. And since there were some things that I could take off her plate without too much hassle to myself, I was able to do that. I was glad I had that information. If it had just been an out of office I might have just kept on trucking along with business as usual rather than trying to give her space during a difficult time.
I have a colleague who describes in detail when he checks email which boils down to: “by the light of the full moon, when mercury is in alignment…” and it drives me bananas. No one expects an immediate response in our field, just take the time you need. I tend to do email for an hour at the end of the day and when I’m on the bus but don’t make a big show and dance of it.
A related problem. When someone needs to say 'no' to something, but instead of just saying it, they pass the buck. For example, they get an email about a collaboration, and instead of just saying they not interested, they reply, "I'm not up for it, but maybe Kate would be." But they have not checked with Kate (who normally just as busy and disinterested). If it's a 'no' from you, just say it. There is no need to make it someone else's problem to say no as well. The exception is you have checked and know the other person is in fact interested!
agree, just say no if the answer is no - I think people are trying to be nice but they're often just moving the "no" to someone else...
I see what you're saying, Laura, and as a general rule don't disagree. However, I will put my expected out of office days in my email signature block well in advance of when I plan to be out. It's not uncommon for me to announce that I'm on vacation, etc. because people in my industry (lawyers) don't take care of themselves and I want to try to normalize that you can (and should!) take time away from work.
I recently had a colleague's email returned with an OOO letting me know that she had an unexpected death in the family- which was helpful. It let me know that if I needed something I should schedule my email for a time when she'd be back or deal with it another way. And since there were some things that I could take off her plate without too much hassle to myself, I was able to do that. I was glad I had that information. If it had just been an out of office I might have just kept on trucking along with business as usual rather than trying to give her space during a difficult time.
I have a colleague who describes in detail when he checks email which boils down to: “by the light of the full moon, when mercury is in alignment…” and it drives me bananas. No one expects an immediate response in our field, just take the time you need. I tend to do email for an hour at the end of the day and when I’m on the bus but don’t make a big show and dance of it.
Thank you Laura. It was benign but I learned from your letter.
Someone once said “‘No period’ is a complete sentence.”
Yep, no need for lengthy explanations.
Many thanks. I made the mistake that you described yesterday.
I'm sure it was fine - lots of people do it!