A new study has revealed that the average office employee receives a staggering 1,738 inane emails every year – many of which would be better expressed in person.
Trivial topics like 'organising a whip around', 'please sponsor me' and 'happy birthday' topped the list of most irritating messages with subject headings such as 'the printer has broken' and 'can we turn the air con down?' often completely ignored.
The study found that, in a typical working week, the average employee will receive 36 emails deemed “futile”.
A third of the 2,000 office workers polled admitted there was someone in their team who is known for sending pointless emails and 50 per cent said they have colleagues that frequently copy in “everyone and anyone.”
Not surprisingly, 53 per cent of those polled said they wish everyone picked the phone up and spoke more to one another but, somewhat alarmingly, a full ten per cent of respondents said they felt ‘scared’ to do so.
The study also revealed the following:
- 25 per cent are usually emailing because they are talking about someone behind their back
- 24 per cent said they like to appear as if they are working, when in reality they are just typing emails to their pals.
- 67 per cent said they sent more emails than they make phone calls
- 70 per cent said emailing is just easier
- 20 per cent said they felt less confident on the phone
The poll also compiled a list of the most pointless emails workers had ever received. Among them;
- Please sponsor me
- Happy birthday
- Introducing new starters
- The printer has broken down
- There is going to be a fire alarm
- Secret Santa
- Congratulatory emails about 'a job well done'
- Can everyone chip in for a whip around please
- Someone's car has left their lights on
- Debates over the temperature of the air-con
- Sweepstake for the lottery
- Sweepstake for the Grand National
- The toilet is blocked
- Food has gone missing from the fridge
- The fridge needs cleaning
- Whose photocopying is left on the photocopier
- Ran out of milk
- Has anyone seen my building pass?
- Someone is blocking me in in the car park
- Someone has stolen my stapler / calculator / etc.
- Whose turn is it to make tea?
- There aren't any tea bags / coffee left
- Someone has stolen my mug
- Someone has used their favourite mug
- The bins need emptying
- Dishwasher needs empting
- There isn't any toilet roll left
- Anyone got the keys to the pool car?
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