What's the age cut-off for people at work callers vs emailers

[jehovasfitness23]

29 Here - always have preferred written and in-person equally. NEVER calling. I worked for a pizza place in high school, and one factor that led to me getting let go was the fact that they wanted to train me to take phone orders, but I'd always be absent from view the moment the phone was ringing.

My hypothetical career in politics that I imagined as a teenager was cut unglamorously (and thankfully) short when, after volunteering on my first campaign, I finally walked out when we got close to elections and the only thing they still needed volunteers to do was make phone calls. Ugh.

There is only one thing that I imagine more off-putting than getting a political call, and that would be a religious one. How political calls actually work I'll never know.

[ender]

I'm 35 and strongly prefer e-mail (or slack, RWD would that count as instant messaging?) to phone calls.

I've never used Slack myself but it looks like maybe a cross between MS Teams and Discord? I'd put that in the instant messaging category.

Slack is awesome.

It more or less replaces email for me in the last three companies I've worked in as a result of how effective it is.

[RWD]

I'm 35 and strongly prefer e-mail (or slack, RWD would that count as instant messaging?) to phone calls.

I've never used Slack myself but it looks like maybe a cross between MS Teams and Discord? I'd put that in the instant messaging category.

Slack is awesome.

It more or less replaces email for me in the last three companies I've worked in as a result of how effective it is.

"Effective" is the farthest thing from our IT department's vocabulary.

[BussoV6]

I'm in my 50s and much prefer email or whatsapp. Short and to the point.

I have some talkative work colleagues whose calls I never accept. I just click the auto reply which sends them a message I am busy and they should message me. Then I can delegate one of my team to call them back  :-)

[OtherJen]

I'm 35 and strongly prefer e-mail (or slack, RWD would that count as instant messaging?) to phone calls.

I've never used Slack myself but it looks like maybe a cross between MS Teams and Discord? I'd put that in the instant messaging category.

Slack is awesome.

It more or less replaces email for me in the last three companies I've worked in as a result of how effective it is.

"Effective" is the farthest thing from our IT department's vocabulary.

It's very effective for some things. For example, the other managers and I have an ongoing DM group where we can ask each other for help with or advice/feedback on time-sensitive issues.

For tracking projects, it's much less useful because things tend to get buried.

[JetBlast]

We have some who are just dead set against using email and will call...or worse...will just "drop by" my office to discuss something that an email would easily have taken care of. It drives me insane. Many of these folks seem to be more extroverted, or they just don't recognize the efficiency gained by taking 30 seconds to bang out an email versus calling, leaving a voicemail, dropping by, calling again, etc.

Maybe it’s not about extroversion or efficiency for them, but instead an excuse to get up from their desk. A two minute break to stretch their legs and unplug for a few moments while walking over to your office that they can justify as work related. Some people just don’t do well sitting at a desk for long stretches of time. They need to get up and move around to do their best work and look for any excuse to do so.

Still, I can see how it would be annoying if your really focused in on something and that’s disrupted by a colleague asking questions that don’t require an immediate response. Just offering another possibility for their actions.

[Just Joe]

I'm in my 50s and much prefer email or whatsapp. Short and to the point.

I have some talkative work colleagues whose calls I never accept. I just click the auto reply which sends them a message I am busy and they should message me. Then I can delegate one of my team to call them back  :-)

I really want the searchable record that email provides so in six months when someone calls and needs background details on a decision, I can look it up and tell them or forward messages to them.

Do the IM apps offer this?

I have had a couple of episodes over the years where being able to share an email was a good thing...

[RWD]

I'm 35 and strongly prefer e-mail (or slack, RWD would that count as instant messaging?) to phone calls.

I've never used Slack myself but it looks like maybe a cross between MS Teams and Discord? I'd put that in the instant messaging category.

Slack is awesome.

It more or less replaces email for me in the last three companies I've worked in as a result of how effective it is.

"Effective" is the farthest thing from our IT department's vocabulary.

It's very effective for some things. For example, the other managers and I have an ongoing DM group where we can ask each other for help with or advice/feedback on time-sensitive issues.

For tracking projects, it's much less useful because things tend to get buried.

What I mean is if there is something effective that would improve productivity you can guarantee my company's IT department will never do it. Virtually every single thing they've ever rolled out at the company in my 13 years here has reduced productivity. The most recent examples being removing everyone's administrative rights and rolling out a new antivirus that is super aggressive about blocking everything, even the software we wrote and compiled ourselves. I've been playing whitelist whack-a-mole with our IT department all week...

[dignam]

A few years ago, yes it used to be the older folks that insisted on phone calls.  Now, not so much.

Most of us at my company go by the following unofficial rules with regards to IM/email/calls (which is MS Teams now 99% of the time):

- If it's a simple question or off-topic/meme/random chat, use our IM (Flowdock)
- If it's a request for something that requires a bit of explanation, use email
- If you are struggling to get the point across with either of the above methods (say, more than 3 back-and-forths), set up a call

It works wonderfully for the most part.  Personally, I don't answer "cold" calls from people outside the teams I'm apart of.  If they want to set up a call, they can reach out via email/IM and schedule with me.  Sometimes, it turns out a call is not needed and I can answer right away.  The devs/QA/my manager on my team can call me at any time.  I've not heard complaints from anyone so far, although almost all send a quick "got time for a call?" message first.

[jinga nation]

I've been a caller for the last 20 years of my professional career, I'm in my early 40s.

A call is a personal connection. Emails strip out emotion and context, making it easier to take things the wrong way.

In my DoD workplace, easier to get something done to put at the top of the task pile is to walk to that person and have a chat. If can't, make a video/phone call. But I always follow-up with an email to reiterate the verbal conversation. Might seem like double the effort, but it means 100% success rate on getting the task completed.

Phone/video calls develop a rapport and personal connection. Some of these become working relationships for years. It is 95% why I've been more successful than my teammates who use email only.

Ha! Phone calls probably increase your productivity b/c everyone jumps on your first requests b/c they don't want you to start calling to 'build relationships' or follow up.  In other words, they are trying to avoid talking to you LOL.

I'm kidding. Mostly.  (But I sure wouldn't want you to use a phone try to get to know me or shoot the shit after you do. :shudder:)

That's OK. I'm here to do what needs to be done to make the customer happy. They feed my employer, who helps fund my little green army increases. Shooting the shit is part of rapport-building. It also reveals a personal side (they might be boring AF upfront, but a good chinwag reveals a colorful past), and then you know you've got a common interest.

My dad was a salesman for years, initially for a plastics company, and then he was chief salesman in the paint company he started with his cousin. Always start a sale with a good chinwag. A little honey goes a long way.

During the work-from-home since March 2020, video calls have become more common. A lot of these folks are itching to get on a call, because it helps seeing other maskless faces at a distance, and relieve a bit of routine boredom while keyboard mashing or reading docs.

[Sibley]

A few years ago, yes it used to be the older folks that insisted on phone calls.  Now, not so much.

Most of us at my company go by the following unofficial rules with regards to IM/email/calls (which is MS Teams now 99% of the time):

- If it's a simple question or off-topic/meme/random chat, use our IM (Flowdock)
- If it's a request for something that requires a bit of explanation, use email
- If you are struggling to get the point across with either of the above methods (say, more than 3 back-and-forths), set up a call

It works wonderfully for the most part.  Personally, I don't answer "cold" calls from people outside the teams I'm apart of.  If they want to set up a call, they can reach out via email/IM and schedule with me.  Sometimes, it turns out a call is not needed and I can answer right away.  The devs/QA/my manager on my team can call me at any time.  I've not heard complaints from anyone so far, although almost all send a quick "got time for a call?" message first.

This ^

I use whatever method I need to get the response I need. Sometimes a quick IM is fine. Sometimes an email is fine. Sometimes discussion is needed, so phone. And sometimes, whichever method I used doesn't get a response so I will switch to another method. If I know that someone never responds to emails, then I'll often skip the email and just call. I WILL hunt you down to get what I need.

I understand people not preferring phone, or email, or whatever. But there's a difference between not preferring and not being able to - and the latter is a problem. You need to be able to use whichever method of communication is required. You don't have to like it.

[Financial.Velociraptor]

I'm 48 and have been FIRE since 5OCT2012.  Back when I still had an office job, my go to was to physically get out of my chair, walk to the person and discuss things face to face.  The 'work' aspects of the job were pretty far down on my priority list, the part I liked was interacting with intelligent people.  I also find you get quicker turnaround and less pushback when you look people in the eye.  HR complained to my supervisor once that I was spending too much time away from my desk but she told them I was getting all my work done to a level that exceeded expectations and I could wander if I wanted to.  Still in touch with three former supers.  I was mostly blessed to work for decent folks.

Post FIRE, my default is to text people I know.

[talltexan]

One department at our work has started just randomly calling people out of their teams meeting. Having a 430 pm meeting with four people. Want to get information with a fifth? That fifth person just has a random Teams call appearing.

We need a way to MAKE THIS STOP. Do not call people from your scheduled meetings!!!

[Jouer]

Yes! Do not cold call someone from a Teams meeting. Perhaps ping them and ask if they are free but do not cold call. Dear lord.

[dignam]

Yes! Do not cold call someone from a Teams meeting. Perhaps ping them and ask if they are free but do not cold call. Dear lord.

I agree with this in almost all circumstances except emergencies.  Which we had last night and this morning.  Of course the people being cold called into an ongoing meeting had an idea something was going on so it wasn't totally unexpected.

Beyond that, it comes down to the individual.  They can simply decide to not answer cold calls.  "I was focusing on my work and there was not a meeting on my calendar."  Can't argue against that.

My Teams stays closed a large portion of the day unless I have an upcoming meeting.  I still get meeting request emails so it's all good.

[Jouer]

Yes! Do not cold call someone from a Teams meeting. Perhaps ping them and ask if they are free but do not cold call. Dear lord.

I agree with this in almost all circumstances except emergencies.  Which we had last night and this morning.  Of course the people being cold called into an ongoing meeting had an idea something was going on so it wasn't totally unexpected.

Beyond that, it comes down to the individual.  They can simply decide to not answer cold calls.  "I was focusing on my work and there was not a meeting on my calendar."  Can't argue against that.

My Teams stays closed a large portion of the day unless I have an upcoming meeting.  I still get meeting request emails so it's all good.

As long as everything isn't an emergency, which we see a lot of.

Also, a ping first to say incoming call doesn't hurt. Deciding not to answer is fine but why just have a positive culture instead?

[dignam]

Yes! Do not cold call someone from a Teams meeting. Perhaps ping them and ask if they are free but do not cold call. Dear lord.

I agree with this in almost all circumstances except emergencies.  Which we had last night and this morning.  Of course the people being cold called into an ongoing meeting had an idea something was going on so it wasn't totally unexpected.

Beyond that, it comes down to the individual.  They can simply decide to not answer cold calls.  "I was focusing on my work and there was not a meeting on my calendar."  Can't argue against that.

My Teams stays closed a large portion of the day unless I have an upcoming meeting.  I still get meeting request emails so it's all good.

As long as everything isn't an emergency, which we see a lot of.

Also, a ping first to say incoming call doesn't hurt. Deciding not to answer is fine but why just have a positive culture instead?

I totally agree.  And almost everyone here at least sends a quick ping first.

[EvenSteven]

Yes! Do not cold call someone from a Teams meeting. Perhaps ping them and ask if they are free but do not cold call. Dear lord.

I agree with this in almost all circumstances except emergencies.  Which we had last night and this morning.  Of course the people being cold called into an ongoing meeting had an idea something was going on so it wasn't totally unexpected.

Beyond that, it comes down to the individual.  They can simply decide to not answer cold calls.  "I was focusing on my work and there was not a meeting on my calendar."  Can't argue against that.

My Teams stays closed a large portion of the day unless I have an upcoming meeting.  I still get meeting request emails so it's all good.

As long as everything isn't an emergency, which we see a lot of.

Also, a ping first to say incoming call doesn't hurt. Deciding not to answer is fine but why just have a positive culture instead?

Wait, there are jobs where not everything is an emergency?

[alsoknownasDean]

I've recently returned to the office, and all of our calls go through Teams and there's no handsets on desks.

Answering a call out of the blue involves getting my headphones out, connecting them to my laptop, and then answering the call. It'd better be really important if I'm doing that.

[BlueHouse]

Maybe it's just me, but I swear those 45 and older prefer calling over email.

For simple questions where you send an email they'll still prefer a call. My boss in her 60s always says "call" when reaching out to people. It's highly annoying in the days of email.

Even better are people I can text to handle something.

Anyone notice similar? Or your own preference and your age.

Oh gosh, I wish it were as easy as age.   I'm a 53 year introvert.  I hate the phone. 

At work, people get really really pissed if you attempt to set up a meeting or accomplish something over email unless you verify over the phone.  Part of it is they don't like people telling them what to do (and that's really what email is).  But the most important part is that you can't confirm what you're saying or asking over email.  It's a one-way communication until it's responded to.  Sometimes people don't check their email for days (mix of classified/unclassified work, so most people have two work spaces and you don't mix the email). 

And of course, part if it is cultural and doing things the old way (so yes, I guess age does add in a component). 

Oh, and text is out of the question because cellphones are not allowed on the job site. 

[iris lily]

I spent 48 hours going around in circles via email about a technical issue with a website.

There must’ve been 40 email messages by the time I count everyone who is copied in. Too many hands in the process of trying to fix something because the main leader won’t step up and just fucking fix it. So now everyone’s stepping over him to get it fixed. And everyone’s operating on assumptions that may or may not be true but I certainly not well explained to everyone in the email chain.

this is the second time I’ve gone around in circles about website issues and I finally said “stop. “We need to speak to one another because this is not moving us forward.

My general rule is after two email rounds if there’s still confusion, stop the emails.

[nessness]

I don't mind unsolicited calls that much, although I prefer scheduled calls or email since I spend a good chunk of my days in meetings.

But the WORST are unsolicited video calls. Why do people do that?!?! Sometimes I just won't turn my video on, but it feels super awkward to talk to someone when only one person has their video on.

[dignam]

Yeah, my camera is disabled on my work laptop.  The only time it really adds anything is during interviews; and possibly when communicating with clients, but that's rare. 

[Dicey]

1. Text
2. Email
3. Phone call where I pick up and/or the person I'm calling does.
400. Absolute bottom is voicemail. Eight years Post-FIRE and I still hate checking them. I do leave VM's occasionally when the message is complex, but it's my last choice.

Happily, these options apply to personal business only, not work.

And OMG, I fucking hate telemarketers.

[maizefolk]

I've been at my current job seven years. I still don't know how to check my office voicemail (although apparently I do have one) and I hope to keep it that way.

[Dicey]

I've been at my current job seven years. I still don't know how to check my office voicemail (although apparently I do have one) and I hope to keep it that way.

Go, @maizefolk! That is so badass!

[jinga nation]

the only people leaving a voicemail is my wife, the school, or my dad. and that is rare.
If fellow co-workers and internal staff call and I don't respond, they message via the collaboration tool (Slack/Jabber) or email, which is what I prefer, communication in writing. Which helps cover my ass when IT incidents go south.

[ketchup]

Maybe it's just me, but I swear those 45 and older prefer calling over email.

For simple questions where you send an email they'll still prefer a call. My boss in her 60s always says "call" when reaching out to people. It's highly annoying in the days of email.

Even better are people I can text to handle something.

Anyone notice similar? Or your own preference and your age.

Oh gosh, I wish it were as easy as age.   I'm a 53 year introvert.  I hate the phone. 

At work, people get really really pissed if you attempt to set up a meeting or accomplish something over email unless you verify over the phone.  Part of it is they don't like people telling them what to do (and that's really what email is).  But the most important part is that you can't confirm what you're saying or asking over email.  It's a one-way communication until it's responded to.  Sometimes people don't check their email for days (mix of classified/unclassified work, so most people have two work spaces and you don't mix the email). 

And of course, part if it is cultural and doing things the old way (so yes, I guess age does add in a component). 

Oh, and text is out of the question because cellphones are not allowed on the job site.

Wow, I would not survive there (30 year old introvert).  Call to confirm something sent over email? What the what? That's the opposite of how things should be done.  Everything scheduled/confirmed over email by default, and if we happen to be on the phone or in person and decide to do something, confirm later over email, because there's no paper trail/reminder/log of a phone call.  I cannot fathom doing it the opposite way; that would be exhausting.  Not checking email for days? I'm more likely to throw my phone in a lake for a few days.

That's alongside people that will send an email, then an IM, and then call me, annoying me into answering right away about a non-emergency.  If you call me about anything, it better be scheduled or an emergency.

I also agree with the recent posts about voicemail.  You're allowed to leave me voicemails never.  If I don't answer, text me, IM me, email me, whatever, but if you leave a voicemail you are instantly on my shitlist.  Especially if you're a vendor harassing me into buying the thing I requested a quote for.  I'll buy it (or not) when I decide to buy it - shut up.

[Michael in ABQ]

"Email is not urgent" That was a quote I picked up on my last deployment from the Command Sergeant Major to a two-star general. It's very true. If something requires an immediate response, or one within a few hours, make a phone call, or talk to me in person (text messaging is not very prevalent in my workplace).


I write very good emails that are detailed and address all the salient points leaving little room for error. However, writing that great email takes 30-60 minutes, sometimes more. In one case recently I spent about 8 hours over multiple days on a very lengthy email up to someone quite a bit higher than got CCed to several people even higher up the food chain. This person reached out to a large group and asked if we were overtasked and where our time was going. I responded in detail with what are challenges were and how it would take five years to get things right because we'd outsourced so many critical things to incompetent contractors. It was good to establish that paper trail and explain a complex situation in a coherent manner. But I've communicated essentially the same information via a phone call in 30 minutes or so.


I consider myself introverted but face to face > phone > email. Communication involves a sender and a receiver and the further you get from face to face the more of that communication is lost. Verbal and non-verbal cues make up a significant part of communication and those do not always translate through email/text. Is this an urgent request and I'm frustrated because you haven't done it yet and that frustration is very clear in my verbal and non-verbal communication? Or is this a friendly chat about a good idea that's not that urgent and we're simply building rapport?


I feel like most of my day is spent in my inbox and it's frustrating that I have to spend so much time emailing things to create a paper trail when a phone call or face to face conversation could probably accomplish the same task in a fraction of the time (albeit, now without a written record to refer back to in the future).

[Michael in ABQ]

I've been at my current job seven years. I still don't know how to check my office voicemail (although apparently I do have one) and I hope to keep it that way.

About 3 years and same here.

I left for about a year for a deployment and when I returned the person who moved into my old office had taken over my phone. So for the last six months or so I haven't had an office phone, just my cell phone. Part of that time was teleworking so that was necessary. I've now taken over the phone number from my previous boss who just left, but I don't intend to ever setup/check the voicemail.

"No sorry, I didn't get that voicemail, it's not working on my phone". That's a pretty reasonable answer as all our IT/Comm systems are old and crappy (government).

[American GenX]

Maybe it's just me, but I swear those 45 and older prefer calling over email.

No, not at all, not even close.  Absolutely not.  I'm in my 50's and much prefer emails.  In fact, I actually hate people calling me and don't like to talk on the phone at work or at home, either one.   Phone calls seem to get dragged out, especially conference calls with multiple people.  Less time is wasted with emails.  And if I have a phone call, I prefer one on one.

I've also never noticed any correlation in age for others who prefer using email vs. phone.

[Plina]

I prefer to use the appropriate mode for the specific situation. If you are emailing back and forth to many times I prefer to pick up the phone. If the response demands a lot of time and I can deal with it in 5 minutes conversation I pick up the phone in most cases. If I need a paper trail I can follow up the call with an email. I have personally developed a hate relationship at work were to much communciation is done by email. Seriously, you don’t need to email me Thanks or write Hello in every email if you write me 10 emails every day. It is ok to do it in the first email of the day.

IM and texting is ok if it require one or two texts but I don’t want to have a 15 minutes texting sessions with you, then call me instead. In my book texts and IMs are not urgent. If it plings in the other end of the room I am not going to get up to check it. If it is urgent call.

I am 40.

[AlanStache]

My work phone currently has 92 unheard voice messages.  I get lots of spammers that call mainly after work hours, somehow they triggered the voice messaging system and the the phone tree wont let me delete messages so they just grow.  Every few years the number of saved messages causes problems and some tech deletes them from the server. 

Yep IMing  "can I call you now?" is about standard. 

While working from home I learned that I can take typed notes better while on the phone than I can take written notes during face to face talking.  Years back they got us all ipads so we could take notes and carry them around the office but that was just a stupid idea doomed to fail. 

[Mr. Green]

I'm 37 and I prefer calling because it has the ability to be far more efficient than email or any form of text that does not require you to respond immediately. I want to pick up the phone and have my question answered right now. Fewer and fewer calls work this way anymore, especially now that it's no longer the primary means that anyone wants to communicate because it does not require them to give an immediate response.

[mm1970]

Is texting an efficient way to communicate with work colleagues? I mean, are there texting work phones? I don’t know how that works.

I'm 50, and I prefer email BUT everyone knows I'm overwhelmed, and don't check my email every day.  Periodically I do a "search" for certain people who are in the production group...

As far as texting, most people use their own phones for work these days.  I resisted for many years, but finally relented a couple of years ago.  We are also allowed to have our email on our phones.

However, since we use google a lot, most people who have an urgent question for me use google Hangouts, which is basically a text or IM, but on WiFi.  Occasionally, the 65yo will call me, if it's complicated.

Urgent: text or Hangouts
Complicated: email with a followup hangouts or a phone call
Complicated with many people: conf call

[OtherJen]

I'm 37 and I prefer calling because it has the ability to be far more efficient than email or any form of text that does not require you to respond immediately. I want to pick up the phone and have my question answered right now. Fewer and fewer calls work this way anymore, especially now that it's no longer the primary means that anyone wants to communicate because it does not require them to give an immediate response.

I'm coming around. My preference has always been for written forms of communication because then there's a record that I can keep as a reference (e.g., "is that was so and so wanted? Am I misremembering? No, there it is in writing."). But I volunteer with a local nonpartisan political organization and spent the last week dealing with local political candidates. In some cases, it was just so much easier to convey what I needed from them via phone and get an answer quickly.