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Email etiquette to boss: formal or informal? [closed]
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What should the email formality be towards one's boss? For example, is there a need to leave a "Thank you," or "Sincerely", at the end of each email? I feel that doing
Thank you/All the best/Best regards
[name]
at the end of every email is sort of superficial, and that its value decreases over time. I generally don't do this with co-workers or friends, but have been with my supervisors. Is this appropriate?
Context: Software engineering job, Silicon Valley/American culture
asked Dec 28 '13 at 4:40
George Newton
141126
closed as primarily opinion-based by Jim G., CMW, jcmeloni, ChrisF, The Wandering Dev Manager Dec 29 '13 at 10:43
Many good questions generate some degree of opinion based on expert experience, but answers to this question will tend to be almost entirely based on opinions, rather than facts, references, or specific expertise. If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
favorite
What should the email formality be towards one's boss? For example, is there a need to leave a "Thank you," or "Sincerely", at the end of each email? I feel that doing
Thank you/All the best/Best regards
[name]
at the end of every email is sort of superficial, and that its value decreases over time. I generally don't do this with co-workers or friends, but have been with my supervisors. Is this appropriate?
Context: Software engineering job, Silicon Valley/American culture
asked Dec 28 '13 at 4:40
George Newton
141126
closed as primarily opinion-based by Jim G., CMW, jcmeloni, ChrisF, The Wandering Dev Manager Dec 29 '13 at 10:43
Many good questions generate some degree of opinion based on expert experience, but answers to this question will tend to be almost entirely based on opinions, rather than facts, references, or specific expertise. If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.
1
Hello George and welcome to [WP.SE]. We appreciate your joining this StackExchange to find answers to your questions and I want to encourage you to ask away. This particular question will likely be closed though, because the answer is so much based on factors like company culture and personal gusto that it can't even be answered satisfyingly in context of a particular industry. It may even differ within a company. If you see a way to edit this question so that it can be answered in a more general fashion, please go ahead.
– CMW
Dec 28 '13 at 11:37
I'll dissent and say that being able to understand situational context, my answer, is still relevant to him. The particulars of an organization are irrelevant as you'll be working with new people and folks outside that company. Being able to switch formality and determine when to use one versus another is a terrific job skill.
– Eric
Dec 28 '13 at 22:20
I wish I could answer, as I don't think this is opinion-based, but is rather important. In every email you ever send, write it as though someone you never met and knows nothing about the subject will read it three years from now and decide whether to promote or hire you based on its content. Text and IM can be informal. Email needs to reflect professionalism. Remember, YOUR opinion on formality vs. context doesn't matter. It's the impression you convey that matters.
– Wesley Long
Dec 30 '13 at 13:48
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
favorite
up vote
0
down vote
favorite
What should the email formality be towards one's boss? For example, is there a need to leave a "Thank you," or "Sincerely", at the end of each email? I feel that doing
Thank you/All the best/Best regards
[name]
at the end of every email is sort of superficial, and that its value decreases over time. I generally don't do this with co-workers or friends, but have been with my supervisors. Is this appropriate?
Context: Software engineering job, Silicon Valley/American culture
asked Dec 28 '13 at 4:40
George Newton
141126
What should the email formality be towards one's boss? For example, is there a need to leave a "Thank you," or "Sincerely", at the end of each email? I feel that doing
Thank you/All the best/Best regards
[name]
at the end of every email is sort of superficial, and that its value decreases over time. I generally don't do this with co-workers or friends, but have been with my supervisors. Is this appropriate?
Context: Software engineering job, Silicon Valley/American culture
asked Dec 28 '13 at 4:40
George Newton
141126
asked Dec 28 '13 at 4:40
George Newton
141126
asked Dec 28 '13 at 4:40
George Newton
141126
asked Dec 28 '13 at 4:40
George Newton
141126
141126
closed as primarily opinion-based by Jim G., CMW, jcmeloni, ChrisF, The Wandering Dev Manager Dec 29 '13 at 10:43
Many good questions generate some degree of opinion based on expert experience, but answers to this question will tend to be almost entirely based on opinions, rather than facts, references, or specific expertise. If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.
closed as primarily opinion-based by Jim G., CMW, jcmeloni, ChrisF, The Wandering Dev Manager Dec 29 '13 at 10:43
Many good questions generate some degree of opinion based on expert experience, but answers to this question will tend to be almost entirely based on opinions, rather than facts, references, or specific expertise. If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.
1
Hello George and welcome to [WP.SE]. We appreciate your joining this StackExchange to find answers to your questions and I want to encourage you to ask away. This particular question will likely be closed though, because the answer is so much based on factors like company culture and personal gusto that it can't even be answered satisfyingly in context of a particular industry. It may even differ within a company. If you see a way to edit this question so that it can be answered in a more general fashion, please go ahead.
– CMW
Dec 28 '13 at 11:37
I'll dissent and say that being able to understand situational context, my answer, is still relevant to him. The particulars of an organization are irrelevant as you'll be working with new people and folks outside that company. Being able to switch formality and determine when to use one versus another is a terrific job skill.
– Eric
Dec 28 '13 at 22:20
I wish I could answer, as I don't think this is opinion-based, but is rather important. In every email you ever send, write it as though someone you never met and knows nothing about the subject will read it three years from now and decide whether to promote or hire you based on its content. Text and IM can be informal. Email needs to reflect professionalism. Remember, YOUR opinion on formality vs. context doesn't matter. It's the impression you convey that matters.
– Wesley Long
Dec 30 '13 at 13:48
add a comment |Â
1
Hello George and welcome to [WP.SE]. We appreciate your joining this StackExchange to find answers to your questions and I want to encourage you to ask away. This particular question will likely be closed though, because the answer is so much based on factors like company culture and personal gusto that it can't even be answered satisfyingly in context of a particular industry. It may even differ within a company. If you see a way to edit this question so that it can be answered in a more general fashion, please go ahead.
– CMW
Dec 28 '13 at 11:37
I'll dissent and say that being able to understand situational context, my answer, is still relevant to him. The particulars of an organization are irrelevant as you'll be working with new people and folks outside that company. Being able to switch formality and determine when to use one versus another is a terrific job skill.
– Eric
Dec 28 '13 at 22:20
I wish I could answer, as I don't think this is opinion-based, but is rather important. In every email you ever send, write it as though someone you never met and knows nothing about the subject will read it three years from now and decide whether to promote or hire you based on its content. Text and IM can be informal. Email needs to reflect professionalism. Remember, YOUR opinion on formality vs. context doesn't matter. It's the impression you convey that matters.
– Wesley Long
Dec 30 '13 at 13:48
1
1
Hello George and welcome to [WP.SE]. We appreciate your joining this StackExchange to find answers to your questions and I want to encourage you to ask away. This particular question will likely be closed though, because the answer is so much based on factors like company culture and personal gusto that it can't even be answered satisfyingly in context of a particular industry. It may even differ within a company. If you see a way to edit this question so that it can be answered in a more general fashion, please go ahead.
– CMW
Dec 28 '13 at 11:37
Hello George and welcome to [WP.SE]. We appreciate your joining this StackExchange to find answers to your questions and I want to encourage you to ask away. This particular question will likely be closed though, because the answer is so much based on factors like company culture and personal gusto that it can't even be answered satisfyingly in context of a particular industry. It may even differ within a company. If you see a way to edit this question so that it can be answered in a more general fashion, please go ahead.
– CMW
Dec 28 '13 at 11:37
I'll dissent and say that being able to understand situational context, my answer, is still relevant to him. The particulars of an organization are irrelevant as you'll be working with new people and folks outside that company. Being able to switch formality and determine when to use one versus another is a terrific job skill.
– Eric
Dec 28 '13 at 22:20
I'll dissent and say that being able to understand situational context, my answer, is still relevant to him. The particulars of an organization are irrelevant as you'll be working with new people and folks outside that company. Being able to switch formality and determine when to use one versus another is a terrific job skill.
– Eric
Dec 28 '13 at 22:20
I wish I could answer, as I don't think this is opinion-based, but is rather important. In every email you ever send, write it as though someone you never met and knows nothing about the subject will read it three years from now and decide whether to promote or hire you based on its content. Text and IM can be informal. Email needs to reflect professionalism. Remember, YOUR opinion on formality vs. context doesn't matter. It's the impression you convey that matters.
– Wesley Long
Dec 30 '13 at 13:48
I wish I could answer, as I don't think this is opinion-based, but is rather important. In every email you ever send, write it as though someone you never met and knows nothing about the subject will read it three years from now and decide whether to promote or hire you based on its content. Text and IM can be informal. Email needs to reflect professionalism. Remember, YOUR opinion on formality vs. context doesn't matter. It's the impression you convey that matters.
– Wesley Long
Dec 30 '13 at 13:48
add a comment |Â
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
up vote
1
down vote
accepted
I think you need to display situationally appropriate formality. That is say that your ability to write at the correct formality level, and to determine what those levels are, is important.
Consider dress code standards. Regardless of what the employee dress code says, you should know that if you're alone in your office on a weekend that shorts and a t shirt, or maybe jeans and a t shirt, are fine. Conversely you'd probably show up in your boss' office on Monday to discuss a sensitive topic looking a little bit different.
As a mid-level executive I spend a lot of time looking for good candidates for management positions. You need to know when to be informal and have a beer with your colleagues, but you also need to know that how you interact with my boss (and others) reflects upon me as your mentor.
I think the formality is fine and you should keep it up. It's not overly klunky, you're not saluting people in the hallways and snapping to attention, and when they need to pick someone to interact with higher-ups your value as someone with tact will be important.
In short, there's a difference between what you should do and what you can get away with.
answered Dec 28 '13 at 15:43
Eric
1,0122915
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
In the US software industry, intra-company email is informal. I don't know anyone who pays attention to the salutation and closing. Some people omit one or both. But avoid chat shorthand, e.g. "u" for "you".
answered Dec 28 '13 at 7:38
kevin cline
15.6k43861
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
What should the email formality be towards one's boss?
I've worked in US software companies for many years. Most communication these days is very informal, and emails even more so.
My emails to everyone are pretty much the same - short, informal, to-the-point. Whenever I write an email to my boss, I address it by her first name, and virtually always end it informally.
Sometimes:
"Thanks,
-- joe"
Sometimes just:
"-- joe"
Occasionally, I'll omit both the Thanks, and my name.
(In our email system, we also have a boilerplate Signature line, so it's always obvious who sent the email)
answered Dec 28 '13 at 14:30
Joe Strazzere
224k107661930
add a comment |Â
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
1
down vote
accepted
I think you need to display situationally appropriate formality. That is say that your ability to write at the correct formality level, and to determine what those levels are, is important.
Consider dress code standards. Regardless of what the employee dress code says, you should know that if you're alone in your office on a weekend that shorts and a t shirt, or maybe jeans and a t shirt, are fine. Conversely you'd probably show up in your boss' office on Monday to discuss a sensitive topic looking a little bit different.
As a mid-level executive I spend a lot of time looking for good candidates for management positions. You need to know when to be informal and have a beer with your colleagues, but you also need to know that how you interact with my boss (and others) reflects upon me as your mentor.
I think the formality is fine and you should keep it up. It's not overly klunky, you're not saluting people in the hallways and snapping to attention, and when they need to pick someone to interact with higher-ups your value as someone with tact will be important.
In short, there's a difference between what you should do and what you can get away with.
answered Dec 28 '13 at 15:43
Eric
1,0122915
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
accepted
I think you need to display situationally appropriate formality. That is say that your ability to write at the correct formality level, and to determine what those levels are, is important.
Consider dress code standards. Regardless of what the employee dress code says, you should know that if you're alone in your office on a weekend that shorts and a t shirt, or maybe jeans and a t shirt, are fine. Conversely you'd probably show up in your boss' office on Monday to discuss a sensitive topic looking a little bit different.
As a mid-level executive I spend a lot of time looking for good candidates for management positions. You need to know when to be informal and have a beer with your colleagues, but you also need to know that how you interact with my boss (and others) reflects upon me as your mentor.
I think the formality is fine and you should keep it up. It's not overly klunky, you're not saluting people in the hallways and snapping to attention, and when they need to pick someone to interact with higher-ups your value as someone with tact will be important.
In short, there's a difference between what you should do and what you can get away with.
answered Dec 28 '13 at 15:43
Eric
1,0122915
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
accepted
up vote
1
down vote
accepted
I think you need to display situationally appropriate formality. That is say that your ability to write at the correct formality level, and to determine what those levels are, is important.
Consider dress code standards. Regardless of what the employee dress code says, you should know that if you're alone in your office on a weekend that shorts and a t shirt, or maybe jeans and a t shirt, are fine. Conversely you'd probably show up in your boss' office on Monday to discuss a sensitive topic looking a little bit different.
As a mid-level executive I spend a lot of time looking for good candidates for management positions. You need to know when to be informal and have a beer with your colleagues, but you also need to know that how you interact with my boss (and others) reflects upon me as your mentor.
I think the formality is fine and you should keep it up. It's not overly klunky, you're not saluting people in the hallways and snapping to attention, and when they need to pick someone to interact with higher-ups your value as someone with tact will be important.
In short, there's a difference between what you should do and what you can get away with.
answered Dec 28 '13 at 15:43
Eric
1,0122915
I think you need to display situationally appropriate formality. That is say that your ability to write at the correct formality level, and to determine what those levels are, is important.
Consider dress code standards. Regardless of what the employee dress code says, you should know that if you're alone in your office on a weekend that shorts and a t shirt, or maybe jeans and a t shirt, are fine. Conversely you'd probably show up in your boss' office on Monday to discuss a sensitive topic looking a little bit different.
As a mid-level executive I spend a lot of time looking for good candidates for management positions. You need to know when to be informal and have a beer with your colleagues, but you also need to know that how you interact with my boss (and others) reflects upon me as your mentor.
I think the formality is fine and you should keep it up. It's not overly klunky, you're not saluting people in the hallways and snapping to attention, and when they need to pick someone to interact with higher-ups your value as someone with tact will be important.
In short, there's a difference between what you should do and what you can get away with.
answered Dec 28 '13 at 15:43
Eric
1,0122915
answered Dec 28 '13 at 15:43
Eric
1,0122915
answered Dec 28 '13 at 15:43
Eric
1,0122915
answered Dec 28 '13 at 15:43
Eric
1,0122915
1,0122915
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
In the US software industry, intra-company email is informal. I don't know anyone who pays attention to the salutation and closing. Some people omit one or both. But avoid chat shorthand, e.g. "u" for "you".
answered Dec 28 '13 at 7:38
kevin cline
15.6k43861
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
In the US software industry, intra-company email is informal. I don't know anyone who pays attention to the salutation and closing. Some people omit one or both. But avoid chat shorthand, e.g. "u" for "you".
answered Dec 28 '13 at 7:38
kevin cline
15.6k43861
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
up vote
0
down vote
In the US software industry, intra-company email is informal. I don't know anyone who pays attention to the salutation and closing. Some people omit one or both. But avoid chat shorthand, e.g. "u" for "you".
answered Dec 28 '13 at 7:38
kevin cline
15.6k43861
In the US software industry, intra-company email is informal. I don't know anyone who pays attention to the salutation and closing. Some people omit one or both. But avoid chat shorthand, e.g. "u" for "you".
answered Dec 28 '13 at 7:38
kevin cline
15.6k43861
answered Dec 28 '13 at 7:38
kevin cline
15.6k43861
answered Dec 28 '13 at 7:38
kevin cline
15.6k43861
answered Dec 28 '13 at 7:38
kevin cline
15.6k43861
15.6k43861
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
What should the email formality be towards one's boss?
I've worked in US software companies for many years. Most communication these days is very informal, and emails even more so.
My emails to everyone are pretty much the same - short, informal, to-the-point. Whenever I write an email to my boss, I address it by her first name, and virtually always end it informally.
Sometimes:
"Thanks,
-- joe"
Sometimes just:
"-- joe"
Occasionally, I'll omit both the Thanks, and my name.
(In our email system, we also have a boilerplate Signature line, so it's always obvious who sent the email)
answered Dec 28 '13 at 14:30
Joe Strazzere
224k107661930
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
What should the email formality be towards one's boss?
I've worked in US software companies for many years. Most communication these days is very informal, and emails even more so.
My emails to everyone are pretty much the same - short, informal, to-the-point. Whenever I write an email to my boss, I address it by her first name, and virtually always end it informally.
Sometimes:
"Thanks,
-- joe"
Sometimes just:
"-- joe"
Occasionally, I'll omit both the Thanks, and my name.
(In our email system, we also have a boilerplate Signature line, so it's always obvious who sent the email)
answered Dec 28 '13 at 14:30
Joe Strazzere
224k107661930
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
up vote
0
down vote
What should the email formality be towards one's boss?
I've worked in US software companies for many years. Most communication these days is very informal, and emails even more so.
My emails to everyone are pretty much the same - short, informal, to-the-point. Whenever I write an email to my boss, I address it by her first name, and virtually always end it informally.
Sometimes:
"Thanks,
-- joe"
Sometimes just:
"-- joe"
Occasionally, I'll omit both the Thanks, and my name.
(In our email system, we also have a boilerplate Signature line, so it's always obvious who sent the email)
answered Dec 28 '13 at 14:30
Joe Strazzere
224k107661930
What should the email formality be towards one's boss?
I've worked in US software companies for many years. Most communication these days is very informal, and emails even more so.
My emails to everyone are pretty much the same - short, informal, to-the-point. Whenever I write an email to my boss, I address it by her first name, and virtually always end it informally.
Sometimes:
"Thanks,
-- joe"
Sometimes just:
"-- joe"
Occasionally, I'll omit both the Thanks, and my name.
(In our email system, we also have a boilerplate Signature line, so it's always obvious who sent the email)
answered Dec 28 '13 at 14:30
Joe Strazzere
224k107661930
answered Dec 28 '13 at 14:30
Joe Strazzere
224k107661930
answered Dec 28 '13 at 14:30
Joe Strazzere
224k107661930
answered Dec 28 '13 at 14:30
Joe Strazzere
224k107661930
224k107661930
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
1
Hello George and welcome to [WP.SE]. We appreciate your joining this StackExchange to find answers to your questions and I want to encourage you to ask away. This particular question will likely be closed though, because the answer is so much based on factors like company culture and personal gusto that it can't even be answered satisfyingly in context of a particular industry. It may even differ within a company. If you see a way to edit this question so that it can be answered in a more general fashion, please go ahead.
– CMW
Dec 28 '13 at 11:37
I'll dissent and say that being able to understand situational context, my answer, is still relevant to him. The particulars of an organization are irrelevant as you'll be working with new people and folks outside that company. Being able to switch formality and determine when to use one versus another is a terrific job skill.
– Eric
Dec 28 '13 at 22:20
I wish I could answer, as I don't think this is opinion-based, but is rather important. In every email you ever send, write it as though someone you never met and knows nothing about the subject will read it three years from now and decide whether to promote or hire you based on its content. Text and IM can be informal. Email needs to reflect professionalism. Remember, YOUR opinion on formality vs. context doesn't matter. It's the impression you convey that matters.
– Wesley Long
Dec 30 '13 at 13:48