How Rude!

Is it me or are more folks in a “lack of action” mode when it comes to returning emails? calls?

I found myself engaged in an interesting discussion the other day on the question of whether a remote workforce is a rude workforce. A survey this month by global organizational consulting firm Korn Ferry found nearly three quarters of respondents (70 %) believe working from home has made it easier for employees and bosses to get away with a level of disrespect in terms of communication. Perhaps there is a perceived level of protection built into online correspondence?

I mean you don’t have to worry about running into someone the next day in the office, after being abrupt with them, or disrespectful or unkind in a virtual meeting or in an email exchange.

I would argue…. there are many, many, employees still working from home, who are still so darn tired and overworked “post pandemic” that they feel they don’t have time, to take an extra 2 minutes to reply “yup got it “to an email question or begin with an email pleasantry such as “Hello I hope you are having a nice day “. Their workday could be joyless and that is reflected in their correspondence.    

While not the most pressing issue in the workforce, the survey by Korn Ferry suggested these small acts of rudeness can add up to hurt feelings and a lack of productivity.  Remember the advice from your boss when email became the ubiquitous method of workplace communication? It still holds true today. You can feel TONE in email. See there – all caps? Angry. Email reply with a “Winky face emoji”? Flirty. (yikes)

Anyhow….I suppose all we can do is remind ourselves that not everyone works on our timeline. Patience is key. It’s understandable if you feel you want circle back with an email asking “Don’t you know who I am! “ha ha …but DON’T that would be rude! ;)