Email is an essential part of our workday and it is difficult to imagine how companies can do without it (although a few have tried and failed). Email is far too entrenched in our systems of work to remove it. However, as leaders we do need to recognise the pressure that too many emails place on our employees, their productivity and ultimately the workplace culture. If employees allow emails to rule their day productivity, along with mental health can be severely effected. One in five people in Australia are working with a mental health condition and this is significantly increasing, due in no small part to the expectation that we are ‘available all the time”
In her book, Unsubscribe - How to Kill Email Anxiety, Avoid Distractions and Get real Work Done Jocelyn Glei outlines the psychology behind why email is ruling our workday and how to take back control. I have personally seen the affect of email controlling my emotions when I was the victim of bullying in the workplace. As part of my recovery, my psychologist explained to me that in highly stressful environments, receiving an email can become akin to being attacked by a sabre tooth tiger. The evolution of the digital age has happened relatively quickly, and our brains are generations away from evolving to the extent required to cope in this digital age.
When the number or nature of emails gets to the point of having an impact on employees the feeling of overwhelm can easily step into the realm of a mental condition, it is important for us to realise that the fear and anxiety that is created is very real and from our brains perspective we are in perilous danger. This feeling is exacerbated if the culture of the organisation is to expect unrealistic turn around on email activity and when there is no respect for holidays, time off or an out of office message.
The impact of email on employees it is a real problem in the modern workplaces. It is important to create an environment where email management is achievable, creating ‘email guidelines and expectations’ within the team is a great idea. If the matter is so urgent that it needs to be responded to within 24 hours should the recipient be contacted directly? Does this really require an email to get something actioned? Is it the best use of everyone’s time to be cc’d in this email?
Years of working with high email traffic, in organisations where everything in urgent has enabled me to develop strategies for teams to reduce the overwhelm and increase connection in the workplace. If you know a team that would benefit, please check out my workshop offering.