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What to do when included in a chain of funny emails between bosses?
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At my office we have this culture where there's no such things like 'a wall between manager and staff' or 'strict, polite formalities between co-workers', but it doesn't mean there's no respect here.
One of my bosses sent me an email regarding my finished task and cc'ed an other manager and director (all higher-ups in my office). After a while things started getting funny and seemed to get 'out of bounds', because the bosses started to joke around. I (as a staff member) don't have any idea how to interact with them.
Should I join the email conversation or simply watch how things go and reply only when prompted to?
work-environment email work-time
edited Jun 10 '15 at 15:23
David K
20.8k1075110
asked Jun 10 '15 at 7:04
Abie Giordano
18629
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
16
down vote
favorite
At my office we have this culture where there's no such things like 'a wall between manager and staff' or 'strict, polite formalities between co-workers', but it doesn't mean there's no respect here.
One of my bosses sent me an email regarding my finished task and cc'ed an other manager and director (all higher-ups in my office). After a while things started getting funny and seemed to get 'out of bounds', because the bosses started to joke around. I (as a staff member) don't have any idea how to interact with them.
Should I join the email conversation or simply watch how things go and reply only when prompted to?
work-environment email work-time
edited Jun 10 '15 at 15:23
David K
20.8k1075110
asked Jun 10 '15 at 7:04
Abie Giordano
18629
11
Your bosses should probably learn the difference between "reply" and "reply all". ;)
– Zibbobz
Jun 10 '15 at 16:28
15
I learned very quickly that there is often a do as I say not as I do culture in many work environments when it comes to bosses engaging in "fun time" in front of employees. Barring being invited to join in I would simply observe.
– Andrew Whatever
Jun 10 '15 at 16:28
3
Depends completely on the content of the emails and where you are, the former of which you cannot share with us. So, ask a colleague instead.
– Lightness Races in Orbit
Jun 10 '15 at 20:41
@AndrewWhatever The Boss is always right.
– fredsbend
Jun 10 '15 at 21:53
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
16
down vote
favorite
up vote
16
down vote
favorite
At my office we have this culture where there's no such things like 'a wall between manager and staff' or 'strict, polite formalities between co-workers', but it doesn't mean there's no respect here.
One of my bosses sent me an email regarding my finished task and cc'ed an other manager and director (all higher-ups in my office). After a while things started getting funny and seemed to get 'out of bounds', because the bosses started to joke around. I (as a staff member) don't have any idea how to interact with them.
Should I join the email conversation or simply watch how things go and reply only when prompted to?
work-environment email work-time
edited Jun 10 '15 at 15:23
David K
20.8k1075110
asked Jun 10 '15 at 7:04
Abie Giordano
18629
At my office we have this culture where there's no such things like 'a wall between manager and staff' or 'strict, polite formalities between co-workers', but it doesn't mean there's no respect here.
One of my bosses sent me an email regarding my finished task and cc'ed an other manager and director (all higher-ups in my office). After a while things started getting funny and seemed to get 'out of bounds', because the bosses started to joke around. I (as a staff member) don't have any idea how to interact with them.
Should I join the email conversation or simply watch how things go and reply only when prompted to?
work-environment email work-time
edited Jun 10 '15 at 15:23
David K
20.8k1075110
asked Jun 10 '15 at 7:04
Abie Giordano
18629
edited Jun 10 '15 at 15:23
David K
20.8k1075110
edited Jun 10 '15 at 15:23
David K
20.8k1075110
edited Jun 10 '15 at 15:23
David K
20.8k1075110
20.8k1075110
asked Jun 10 '15 at 7:04
Abie Giordano
18629
asked Jun 10 '15 at 7:04
Abie Giordano
18629
asked Jun 10 '15 at 7:04
Abie Giordano
18629
18629
11
Your bosses should probably learn the difference between "reply" and "reply all". ;)
– Zibbobz
Jun 10 '15 at 16:28
15
I learned very quickly that there is often a do as I say not as I do culture in many work environments when it comes to bosses engaging in "fun time" in front of employees. Barring being invited to join in I would simply observe.
– Andrew Whatever
Jun 10 '15 at 16:28
3
Depends completely on the content of the emails and where you are, the former of which you cannot share with us. So, ask a colleague instead.
– Lightness Races in Orbit
Jun 10 '15 at 20:41
@AndrewWhatever The Boss is always right.
– fredsbend
Jun 10 '15 at 21:53
suggest improvements |Â
11
Your bosses should probably learn the difference between "reply" and "reply all". ;)
– Zibbobz
Jun 10 '15 at 16:28
15
I learned very quickly that there is often a do as I say not as I do culture in many work environments when it comes to bosses engaging in "fun time" in front of employees. Barring being invited to join in I would simply observe.
– Andrew Whatever
Jun 10 '15 at 16:28
3
Depends completely on the content of the emails and where you are, the former of which you cannot share with us. So, ask a colleague instead.
– Lightness Races in Orbit
Jun 10 '15 at 20:41
@AndrewWhatever The Boss is always right.
– fredsbend
Jun 10 '15 at 21:53
11
11
Your bosses should probably learn the difference between "reply" and "reply all". ;)
– Zibbobz
Jun 10 '15 at 16:28
Your bosses should probably learn the difference between "reply" and "reply all". ;)
– Zibbobz
Jun 10 '15 at 16:28
15
15
I learned very quickly that there is often a do as I say not as I do culture in many work environments when it comes to bosses engaging in "fun time" in front of employees. Barring being invited to join in I would simply observe.
– Andrew Whatever
Jun 10 '15 at 16:28
I learned very quickly that there is often a do as I say not as I do culture in many work environments when it comes to bosses engaging in "fun time" in front of employees. Barring being invited to join in I would simply observe.
– Andrew Whatever
Jun 10 '15 at 16:28
3
3
Depends completely on the content of the emails and where you are, the former of which you cannot share with us. So, ask a colleague instead.
– Lightness Races in Orbit
Jun 10 '15 at 20:41
Depends completely on the content of the emails and where you are, the former of which you cannot share with us. So, ask a colleague instead.
– Lightness Races in Orbit
Jun 10 '15 at 20:41
@AndrewWhatever The Boss is always right.
– fredsbend
Jun 10 '15 at 21:53
@AndrewWhatever The Boss is always right.
– fredsbend
Jun 10 '15 at 21:53
suggest improvements |Â
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
up vote
20
down vote
accepted
If you are not comfortable participating, don't participate. You shouldn't be asking us because you are the one best placed to make the determination as to whether you are welcome to participate.
I take the view that my bosses are my bosses but they are also fellow professionals. I defer to and respect their rank on work-related and business-related matters - I voice strong dissent with what they ask me to do when I disagree but the deference and respect for rank remain solidly in place. Having said that, I would participate in the joking around if I know enough of the company culture and of the management that my participation is more than welcome. Otherwise, I abstain because my participation may have a chilling effect on their banter.
If you are so uncertain that you have to ask a bunch of strangers who have no knowledge of your company culture and who therefore have no way of giving you a definite answer, then the safest course for you is to abstain from participating.
answered Jun 10 '15 at 9:57
Vietnhi Phuvan
68.9k7118254
8
Yeah, third paragraph really nails it here...
– Elysian Fields♦
Jun 10 '15 at 19:25
I'm not sure you'd get "a chilling effect" lol. Otherwise spot on yeah
– Lightness Races in Orbit
Jun 10 '15 at 20:46
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
53
down vote
As an employee I would not join the fun.
The email conversation started with work-related topics and it is probably done using company email addresses. To be safe, consider all usage of company resources to be business related, not private. This includes usage of the company email system, which normally is not allowed to be used for private conversation.
If your boss and other people higher up mix work and private topics (like exchanging funny stuff) and use company resources for that, it is their decision. Perhaps they will not get into any trouble doing this (being the boss helps here). But as an employee it is better to be safe than sorry.
edited Jun 10 '15 at 17:19
Myles
25.4k658104
6
If you feel like commenting, comment to your own boss only -- among other things, to gently remind him that this is still being copied to many others.
– keshlam
Jun 10 '15 at 13:54
4
@keshlam - only if you feel like getting in trouble with your boss. You are assuming that s/he needs to be treated like a child. And that s/he doesn't know how to use email. Not going to be received well.
– Pat
Jun 11 '15 at 1:13
1
No, I am assuming that the boss is as human as I am, and makes the same mistakes. Forgetting to trim reply-to lists is universal. It does no harm and causes no offense to say "hey, do you folks really still want us all tracking/participating in this discussion? If so I've got an amusing story of my own i'd like to toss in." The answer may be "sure, join the fun" or "oops, we should get back on topic" or "yeah, we should probably take it offline rather than cluttering everyone's mailbox" ... but it's not an unreasonable question to ask
– keshlam
Jun 11 '15 at 4:23
2
@keshlam Sure. Try that out some time. The bosses that I know - myself include - would not be appreciative.
– Pat
Jun 11 '15 at 6:58
Out experience differs drastically, so I guess it's a good thing we aren't working together.
– keshlam
Jun 11 '15 at 14:54
 |Â
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up vote
15
down vote
Nobody really benefits from email conversations without content, especially when everybody is CC:ing everybody. Before you know it you can't distinguish the serious mails from the clutter, and you spend your working hours cleaning up your mailbox.
Let it die down.
answered Jun 10 '15 at 7:15
Jan Doggen
11.5k145066
Most boringly correct answer here. +1
– OJFord
Jun 10 '15 at 23:15
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up vote
4
down vote
Another way to look at this is to ask yourself,
"What benefit will I receive if my joke is well received?"
"What harm will I receive if my joke is poorly received?"
Now consider this,
Written "humor" is subject to being misunderstood.
Written "humor" in email can easily be forwarded to HR and lawyers. Remember the 'e' in email is e for evidence.
Save the jokes for your friends outside of the workplace.
answered Jun 10 '15 at 18:52
Pat
1484
2
What about "humour"?
– Lightness Races in Orbit
Jun 10 '15 at 20:46
2
@LightnessRacesinOrbit Depending on location, that might be even more subject to misunderstanding. :P
– reirab
Jun 10 '15 at 22:00
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4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
20
down vote
accepted
If you are not comfortable participating, don't participate. You shouldn't be asking us because you are the one best placed to make the determination as to whether you are welcome to participate.
I take the view that my bosses are my bosses but they are also fellow professionals. I defer to and respect their rank on work-related and business-related matters - I voice strong dissent with what they ask me to do when I disagree but the deference and respect for rank remain solidly in place. Having said that, I would participate in the joking around if I know enough of the company culture and of the management that my participation is more than welcome. Otherwise, I abstain because my participation may have a chilling effect on their banter.
If you are so uncertain that you have to ask a bunch of strangers who have no knowledge of your company culture and who therefore have no way of giving you a definite answer, then the safest course for you is to abstain from participating.
answered Jun 10 '15 at 9:57
Vietnhi Phuvan
68.9k7118254
8
Yeah, third paragraph really nails it here...
– Elysian Fields♦
Jun 10 '15 at 19:25
I'm not sure you'd get "a chilling effect" lol. Otherwise spot on yeah
– Lightness Races in Orbit
Jun 10 '15 at 20:46
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
20
down vote
accepted
If you are not comfortable participating, don't participate. You shouldn't be asking us because you are the one best placed to make the determination as to whether you are welcome to participate.
I take the view that my bosses are my bosses but they are also fellow professionals. I defer to and respect their rank on work-related and business-related matters - I voice strong dissent with what they ask me to do when I disagree but the deference and respect for rank remain solidly in place. Having said that, I would participate in the joking around if I know enough of the company culture and of the management that my participation is more than welcome. Otherwise, I abstain because my participation may have a chilling effect on their banter.
If you are so uncertain that you have to ask a bunch of strangers who have no knowledge of your company culture and who therefore have no way of giving you a definite answer, then the safest course for you is to abstain from participating.
answered Jun 10 '15 at 9:57
Vietnhi Phuvan
68.9k7118254
8
Yeah, third paragraph really nails it here...
– Elysian Fields♦
Jun 10 '15 at 19:25
I'm not sure you'd get "a chilling effect" lol. Otherwise spot on yeah
– Lightness Races in Orbit
Jun 10 '15 at 20:46
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
20
down vote
accepted
up vote
20
down vote
accepted
If you are not comfortable participating, don't participate. You shouldn't be asking us because you are the one best placed to make the determination as to whether you are welcome to participate.
I take the view that my bosses are my bosses but they are also fellow professionals. I defer to and respect their rank on work-related and business-related matters - I voice strong dissent with what they ask me to do when I disagree but the deference and respect for rank remain solidly in place. Having said that, I would participate in the joking around if I know enough of the company culture and of the management that my participation is more than welcome. Otherwise, I abstain because my participation may have a chilling effect on their banter.
If you are so uncertain that you have to ask a bunch of strangers who have no knowledge of your company culture and who therefore have no way of giving you a definite answer, then the safest course for you is to abstain from participating.
answered Jun 10 '15 at 9:57
Vietnhi Phuvan
68.9k7118254
If you are not comfortable participating, don't participate. You shouldn't be asking us because you are the one best placed to make the determination as to whether you are welcome to participate.
I take the view that my bosses are my bosses but they are also fellow professionals. I defer to and respect their rank on work-related and business-related matters - I voice strong dissent with what they ask me to do when I disagree but the deference and respect for rank remain solidly in place. Having said that, I would participate in the joking around if I know enough of the company culture and of the management that my participation is more than welcome. Otherwise, I abstain because my participation may have a chilling effect on their banter.
If you are so uncertain that you have to ask a bunch of strangers who have no knowledge of your company culture and who therefore have no way of giving you a definite answer, then the safest course for you is to abstain from participating.
answered Jun 10 '15 at 9:57
Vietnhi Phuvan
68.9k7118254
edited Jun 17 '15 at 2:06
answered Jun 10 '15 at 9:57
Vietnhi Phuvan
68.9k7118254
answered Jun 10 '15 at 9:57
Vietnhi Phuvan
68.9k7118254
answered Jun 10 '15 at 9:57
Vietnhi Phuvan
68.9k7118254
68.9k7118254
8
Yeah, third paragraph really nails it here...
– Elysian Fields♦
Jun 10 '15 at 19:25
I'm not sure you'd get "a chilling effect" lol. Otherwise spot on yeah
– Lightness Races in Orbit
Jun 10 '15 at 20:46
suggest improvements |Â
8
Yeah, third paragraph really nails it here...
– Elysian Fields♦
Jun 10 '15 at 19:25
I'm not sure you'd get "a chilling effect" lol. Otherwise spot on yeah
– Lightness Races in Orbit
Jun 10 '15 at 20:46
8
8
Yeah, third paragraph really nails it here...
– Elysian Fields♦
Jun 10 '15 at 19:25
Yeah, third paragraph really nails it here...
– Elysian Fields♦
Jun 10 '15 at 19:25
I'm not sure you'd get "a chilling effect" lol. Otherwise spot on yeah
– Lightness Races in Orbit
Jun 10 '15 at 20:46
I'm not sure you'd get "a chilling effect" lol. Otherwise spot on yeah
– Lightness Races in Orbit
Jun 10 '15 at 20:46
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
53
down vote
As an employee I would not join the fun.
The email conversation started with work-related topics and it is probably done using company email addresses. To be safe, consider all usage of company resources to be business related, not private. This includes usage of the company email system, which normally is not allowed to be used for private conversation.
If your boss and other people higher up mix work and private topics (like exchanging funny stuff) and use company resources for that, it is their decision. Perhaps they will not get into any trouble doing this (being the boss helps here). But as an employee it is better to be safe than sorry.
edited Jun 10 '15 at 17:19
Myles
25.4k658104
6
If you feel like commenting, comment to your own boss only -- among other things, to gently remind him that this is still being copied to many others.
– keshlam
Jun 10 '15 at 13:54
4
@keshlam - only if you feel like getting in trouble with your boss. You are assuming that s/he needs to be treated like a child. And that s/he doesn't know how to use email. Not going to be received well.
– Pat
Jun 11 '15 at 1:13
1
No, I am assuming that the boss is as human as I am, and makes the same mistakes. Forgetting to trim reply-to lists is universal. It does no harm and causes no offense to say "hey, do you folks really still want us all tracking/participating in this discussion? If so I've got an amusing story of my own i'd like to toss in." The answer may be "sure, join the fun" or "oops, we should get back on topic" or "yeah, we should probably take it offline rather than cluttering everyone's mailbox" ... but it's not an unreasonable question to ask
– keshlam
Jun 11 '15 at 4:23
2
@keshlam Sure. Try that out some time. The bosses that I know - myself include - would not be appreciative.
– Pat
Jun 11 '15 at 6:58
Out experience differs drastically, so I guess it's a good thing we aren't working together.
– keshlam
Jun 11 '15 at 14:54
 |Â
show 1 more comment
up vote
53
down vote
As an employee I would not join the fun.
The email conversation started with work-related topics and it is probably done using company email addresses. To be safe, consider all usage of company resources to be business related, not private. This includes usage of the company email system, which normally is not allowed to be used for private conversation.
If your boss and other people higher up mix work and private topics (like exchanging funny stuff) and use company resources for that, it is their decision. Perhaps they will not get into any trouble doing this (being the boss helps here). But as an employee it is better to be safe than sorry.
edited Jun 10 '15 at 17:19
Myles
25.4k658104
6
If you feel like commenting, comment to your own boss only -- among other things, to gently remind him that this is still being copied to many others.
– keshlam
Jun 10 '15 at 13:54
4
@keshlam - only if you feel like getting in trouble with your boss. You are assuming that s/he needs to be treated like a child. And that s/he doesn't know how to use email. Not going to be received well.
– Pat
Jun 11 '15 at 1:13
1
No, I am assuming that the boss is as human as I am, and makes the same mistakes. Forgetting to trim reply-to lists is universal. It does no harm and causes no offense to say "hey, do you folks really still want us all tracking/participating in this discussion? If so I've got an amusing story of my own i'd like to toss in." The answer may be "sure, join the fun" or "oops, we should get back on topic" or "yeah, we should probably take it offline rather than cluttering everyone's mailbox" ... but it's not an unreasonable question to ask
– keshlam
Jun 11 '15 at 4:23
2
@keshlam Sure. Try that out some time. The bosses that I know - myself include - would not be appreciative.
– Pat
Jun 11 '15 at 6:58
Out experience differs drastically, so I guess it's a good thing we aren't working together.
– keshlam
Jun 11 '15 at 14:54
 |Â
show 1 more comment
up vote
53
down vote
up vote
53
down vote
As an employee I would not join the fun.
The email conversation started with work-related topics and it is probably done using company email addresses. To be safe, consider all usage of company resources to be business related, not private. This includes usage of the company email system, which normally is not allowed to be used for private conversation.
If your boss and other people higher up mix work and private topics (like exchanging funny stuff) and use company resources for that, it is their decision. Perhaps they will not get into any trouble doing this (being the boss helps here). But as an employee it is better to be safe than sorry.
edited Jun 10 '15 at 17:19
Myles
25.4k658104
As an employee I would not join the fun.
The email conversation started with work-related topics and it is probably done using company email addresses. To be safe, consider all usage of company resources to be business related, not private. This includes usage of the company email system, which normally is not allowed to be used for private conversation.
If your boss and other people higher up mix work and private topics (like exchanging funny stuff) and use company resources for that, it is their decision. Perhaps they will not get into any trouble doing this (being the boss helps here). But as an employee it is better to be safe than sorry.
edited Jun 10 '15 at 17:19
Myles
25.4k658104
edited Jun 10 '15 at 17:19
Myles
25.4k658104
edited Jun 10 '15 at 17:19
Myles
25.4k658104
edited Jun 10 '15 at 17:19
Myles
25.4k658104
25.4k658104
answered Jun 10 '15 at 7:11
user36910
6
If you feel like commenting, comment to your own boss only -- among other things, to gently remind him that this is still being copied to many others.
– keshlam
Jun 10 '15 at 13:54
4
@keshlam - only if you feel like getting in trouble with your boss. You are assuming that s/he needs to be treated like a child. And that s/he doesn't know how to use email. Not going to be received well.
– Pat
Jun 11 '15 at 1:13
1
No, I am assuming that the boss is as human as I am, and makes the same mistakes. Forgetting to trim reply-to lists is universal. It does no harm and causes no offense to say "hey, do you folks really still want us all tracking/participating in this discussion? If so I've got an amusing story of my own i'd like to toss in." The answer may be "sure, join the fun" or "oops, we should get back on topic" or "yeah, we should probably take it offline rather than cluttering everyone's mailbox" ... but it's not an unreasonable question to ask
– keshlam
Jun 11 '15 at 4:23
2
@keshlam Sure. Try that out some time. The bosses that I know - myself include - would not be appreciative.
– Pat
Jun 11 '15 at 6:58
Out experience differs drastically, so I guess it's a good thing we aren't working together.
– keshlam
Jun 11 '15 at 14:54
 |Â
show 1 more comment
6
If you feel like commenting, comment to your own boss only -- among other things, to gently remind him that this is still being copied to many others.
– keshlam
Jun 10 '15 at 13:54
4
@keshlam - only if you feel like getting in trouble with your boss. You are assuming that s/he needs to be treated like a child. And that s/he doesn't know how to use email. Not going to be received well.
– Pat
Jun 11 '15 at 1:13
1
No, I am assuming that the boss is as human as I am, and makes the same mistakes. Forgetting to trim reply-to lists is universal. It does no harm and causes no offense to say "hey, do you folks really still want us all tracking/participating in this discussion? If so I've got an amusing story of my own i'd like to toss in." The answer may be "sure, join the fun" or "oops, we should get back on topic" or "yeah, we should probably take it offline rather than cluttering everyone's mailbox" ... but it's not an unreasonable question to ask
– keshlam
Jun 11 '15 at 4:23
2
@keshlam Sure. Try that out some time. The bosses that I know - myself include - would not be appreciative.
– Pat
Jun 11 '15 at 6:58
Out experience differs drastically, so I guess it's a good thing we aren't working together.
– keshlam
Jun 11 '15 at 14:54
6
6
If you feel like commenting, comment to your own boss only -- among other things, to gently remind him that this is still being copied to many others.
– keshlam
Jun 10 '15 at 13:54
If you feel like commenting, comment to your own boss only -- among other things, to gently remind him that this is still being copied to many others.
– keshlam
Jun 10 '15 at 13:54
4
4
@keshlam - only if you feel like getting in trouble with your boss. You are assuming that s/he needs to be treated like a child. And that s/he doesn't know how to use email. Not going to be received well.
– Pat
Jun 11 '15 at 1:13
@keshlam - only if you feel like getting in trouble with your boss. You are assuming that s/he needs to be treated like a child. And that s/he doesn't know how to use email. Not going to be received well.
– Pat
Jun 11 '15 at 1:13
1
1
No, I am assuming that the boss is as human as I am, and makes the same mistakes. Forgetting to trim reply-to lists is universal. It does no harm and causes no offense to say "hey, do you folks really still want us all tracking/participating in this discussion? If so I've got an amusing story of my own i'd like to toss in." The answer may be "sure, join the fun" or "oops, we should get back on topic" or "yeah, we should probably take it offline rather than cluttering everyone's mailbox" ... but it's not an unreasonable question to ask
– keshlam
Jun 11 '15 at 4:23
No, I am assuming that the boss is as human as I am, and makes the same mistakes. Forgetting to trim reply-to lists is universal. It does no harm and causes no offense to say "hey, do you folks really still want us all tracking/participating in this discussion? If so I've got an amusing story of my own i'd like to toss in." The answer may be "sure, join the fun" or "oops, we should get back on topic" or "yeah, we should probably take it offline rather than cluttering everyone's mailbox" ... but it's not an unreasonable question to ask
– keshlam
Jun 11 '15 at 4:23
2
2
@keshlam Sure. Try that out some time. The bosses that I know - myself include - would not be appreciative.
– Pat
Jun 11 '15 at 6:58
@keshlam Sure. Try that out some time. The bosses that I know - myself include - would not be appreciative.
– Pat
Jun 11 '15 at 6:58
Out experience differs drastically, so I guess it's a good thing we aren't working together.
– keshlam
Jun 11 '15 at 14:54
Out experience differs drastically, so I guess it's a good thing we aren't working together.
– keshlam
Jun 11 '15 at 14:54
 |Â
show 1 more comment
up vote
15
down vote
Nobody really benefits from email conversations without content, especially when everybody is CC:ing everybody. Before you know it you can't distinguish the serious mails from the clutter, and you spend your working hours cleaning up your mailbox.
Let it die down.
answered Jun 10 '15 at 7:15
Jan Doggen
11.5k145066
Most boringly correct answer here. +1
– OJFord
Jun 10 '15 at 23:15
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
15
down vote
Nobody really benefits from email conversations without content, especially when everybody is CC:ing everybody. Before you know it you can't distinguish the serious mails from the clutter, and you spend your working hours cleaning up your mailbox.
Let it die down.
answered Jun 10 '15 at 7:15
Jan Doggen
11.5k145066
Most boringly correct answer here. +1
– OJFord
Jun 10 '15 at 23:15
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
15
down vote
up vote
15
down vote
Nobody really benefits from email conversations without content, especially when everybody is CC:ing everybody. Before you know it you can't distinguish the serious mails from the clutter, and you spend your working hours cleaning up your mailbox.
Let it die down.
answered Jun 10 '15 at 7:15
Jan Doggen
11.5k145066
Nobody really benefits from email conversations without content, especially when everybody is CC:ing everybody. Before you know it you can't distinguish the serious mails from the clutter, and you spend your working hours cleaning up your mailbox.
Let it die down.
answered Jun 10 '15 at 7:15
Jan Doggen
11.5k145066
answered Jun 10 '15 at 7:15
Jan Doggen
11.5k145066
answered Jun 10 '15 at 7:15
Jan Doggen
11.5k145066
answered Jun 10 '15 at 7:15
Jan Doggen
11.5k145066
11.5k145066
Most boringly correct answer here. +1
– OJFord
Jun 10 '15 at 23:15
suggest improvements |Â
Most boringly correct answer here. +1
– OJFord
Jun 10 '15 at 23:15
Most boringly correct answer here. +1
– OJFord
Jun 10 '15 at 23:15
Most boringly correct answer here. +1
– OJFord
Jun 10 '15 at 23:15
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
4
down vote
Another way to look at this is to ask yourself,
"What benefit will I receive if my joke is well received?"
"What harm will I receive if my joke is poorly received?"
Now consider this,
Written "humor" is subject to being misunderstood.
Written "humor" in email can easily be forwarded to HR and lawyers. Remember the 'e' in email is e for evidence.
Save the jokes for your friends outside of the workplace.
answered Jun 10 '15 at 18:52
Pat
1484
2
What about "humour"?
– Lightness Races in Orbit
Jun 10 '15 at 20:46
2
@LightnessRacesinOrbit Depending on location, that might be even more subject to misunderstanding. :P
– reirab
Jun 10 '15 at 22:00
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
4
down vote
Another way to look at this is to ask yourself,
"What benefit will I receive if my joke is well received?"
"What harm will I receive if my joke is poorly received?"
Now consider this,
Written "humor" is subject to being misunderstood.
Written "humor" in email can easily be forwarded to HR and lawyers. Remember the 'e' in email is e for evidence.
Save the jokes for your friends outside of the workplace.
answered Jun 10 '15 at 18:52
Pat
1484
2
What about "humour"?
– Lightness Races in Orbit
Jun 10 '15 at 20:46
2
@LightnessRacesinOrbit Depending on location, that might be even more subject to misunderstanding. :P
– reirab
Jun 10 '15 at 22:00
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
4
down vote
up vote
4
down vote
Another way to look at this is to ask yourself,
"What benefit will I receive if my joke is well received?"
"What harm will I receive if my joke is poorly received?"
Now consider this,
Written "humor" is subject to being misunderstood.
Written "humor" in email can easily be forwarded to HR and lawyers. Remember the 'e' in email is e for evidence.
Save the jokes for your friends outside of the workplace.
answered Jun 10 '15 at 18:52
Pat
1484
Another way to look at this is to ask yourself,
"What benefit will I receive if my joke is well received?"
"What harm will I receive if my joke is poorly received?"
Now consider this,
Written "humor" is subject to being misunderstood.
Written "humor" in email can easily be forwarded to HR and lawyers. Remember the 'e' in email is e for evidence.
Save the jokes for your friends outside of the workplace.
answered Jun 10 '15 at 18:52
Pat
1484
answered Jun 10 '15 at 18:52
Pat
1484
answered Jun 10 '15 at 18:52
Pat
1484
answered Jun 10 '15 at 18:52
Pat
1484
1484
2
What about "humour"?
– Lightness Races in Orbit
Jun 10 '15 at 20:46
2
@LightnessRacesinOrbit Depending on location, that might be even more subject to misunderstanding. :P
– reirab
Jun 10 '15 at 22:00
suggest improvements |Â
2
What about "humour"?
– Lightness Races in Orbit
Jun 10 '15 at 20:46
2
@LightnessRacesinOrbit Depending on location, that might be even more subject to misunderstanding. :P
– reirab
Jun 10 '15 at 22:00
2
2
What about "humour"?
– Lightness Races in Orbit
Jun 10 '15 at 20:46
What about "humour"?
– Lightness Races in Orbit
Jun 10 '15 at 20:46
2
2
@LightnessRacesinOrbit Depending on location, that might be even more subject to misunderstanding. :P
– reirab
Jun 10 '15 at 22:00
@LightnessRacesinOrbit Depending on location, that might be even more subject to misunderstanding. :P
– reirab
Jun 10 '15 at 22:00
suggest improvements |Â
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11
Your bosses should probably learn the difference between "reply" and "reply all". ;)
– Zibbobz
Jun 10 '15 at 16:28
15
I learned very quickly that there is often a do as I say not as I do culture in many work environments when it comes to bosses engaging in "fun time" in front of employees. Barring being invited to join in I would simply observe.
– Andrew Whatever
Jun 10 '15 at 16:28
3
Depends completely on the content of the emails and where you are, the former of which you cannot share with us. So, ask a colleague instead.
– Lightness Races in Orbit
Jun 10 '15 at 20:41
@AndrewWhatever The Boss is always right.
– fredsbend
Jun 10 '15 at 21:53