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Liz Nelson
star-svg
50
Program Coordinator in Baltimore
08/13/20 at 8:02PM UTC
in
Career

Rude or not?

Is it rude to, in an out-of-office email, ask someone to resend their email when you get back into the office? I've seen this in auto-replies a few times, and it always rubs me the wrong way. I've even seen one that flat out says, "all the emails from that time will be deleted." Why is the onus on me to get in touch if you're the one who's not in?

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Kim Callinan
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809
President & CEO of Nonprofit
08/14/20 at 1:19PM UTC
Well, I appear to be in the minority but this feels very inappropriate to me, especially if it is going out to external customers or supporters. In my opinion, it communicates a lack of customer service and professionalism. I run an organization with 80 people and if anybody posted such a message, I'd ask that it be removed. An organization should not be about an individual alone, and it should not come to a standstill because somebody is on vacation. Likewise, it should not be the person emailing's responsiblity to adjust because somebody is on vacation. You could try something like this: I am on PTO and returning from on [DATE]. I will likely have several thousand messages to weed through when I return, so please anticipate that it may take me several days to be back in touch. If your message is time sensitive, please either reach back out to me on [DATE] when I return so it ends up on the top of my to do list or you can contact [NAME] while I am out and he/she can help keep things moving in my absence. Thank you for your interest in our organization. Look forward to catching up when I return, [PERSON]
Anonymous
08/15/20 at 2:47PM UTC
My guess is that it primarily goes to interoffice emails or those in the contacts. I almost always have 2 separate out of office responses. It's pretty common for people at large corporations to say something to the effect of "I will be out of the office from x day to x day. During that time, please contact so and so with any matters. Emails from the time I am away may not be answered." I'd also say it depends on why the person is out - if it's something like a 12 week maternity leave vs a 2 day long weekend that likely makes a difference.
Kim Callinan
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809
President & CEO of Nonprofit
08/16/20 at 3:02AM UTC
That makes sense
Sweet Caroline
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4.25k
08/13/20 at 10:30PM UTC
I average about 200 emails a day, if it's important, you need to re-send it. After a week off I have 1000 emails to sort through, it can take me a week or more to review them. 9 out of 10 times stuff resolves itself before I even get a chance to reply.
Lissy Lex Burboa
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95
Loan Servicing Director, Coach & Mom
08/13/20 at 9:23PM UTC
I wouldn't say it is rude, but I do not think it is necessarily appropriate to have that on an out-of-office. If I were to receive something like that, I would set a reminder for myself for a day or two after that person is set to return and then send a follow-up email.
Liz Nelson
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50
Program Coordinator in Baltimore
08/13/20 at 9:27PM UTC (Edited)
Which is what I'd do. I just wanted context from other people. Making my way through emails is not an issue in my career, so it's kind of mind-boggling to me that people encounter that many emails. I think I'd have a stress meltdown.
Maria Molinari
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565
Team Lead / Project Coordinator
08/13/20 at 9:23PM UTC
I don't take it in a bad way. You never know what all that person may have on their plate. Like me for example, I make it my top priority to read, reply and organize my mailbox but this is a huge stress at times. This mentality has me replying well after I have left for the evening or centering my reply around the time I know the recipient will be in the office. Often times people will have their inbox set this way to avoid being overwhelmed upon their return with hundreds of emails each of the same importance. I know it may be hard to wait or even to remember to re send that email but sometimes, it's worth it when they will actually see it and be able to reply
tholliday452
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12
08/13/20 at 8:07PM UTC
My mailbox has 300 new emails, minimally, daily. If you want me to fish for your email somewhere within 1500-2500 emails when I return, it will not happen.
Liz Nelson
star-svg
50
Program Coordinator in Baltimore
08/13/20 at 8:24PM UTC
Which is completely fair. Can I ask why you end up with so many emails?
Sweet Caroline
star-svg
4.25k
08/13/20 at 10:31PM UTC
Between direct emails to me and CC/BCC, I get 200 or more a day. I am a director and involved with MANY MANY things.

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