Study reveals which email phrases annoy everyone

Adobe recently published their fourth annual consumer email survey and found what email phrases are the most irritating to office employees.

Email use has only increased over the years with Adobe researchers finding that in the US, people check their inboxes for around two and half hours every day.

It would seem we are hooked on electronic communication as it can be a quick and convenient way to share information with co-workers and get tasks done.

However, the survey of over 1,000 white-collar workers found that there are some email subject headlines and phrases to avoid if you want to keep harmony in the office.

The results include a list of the most hated email phrases with the number one most irritating being “not sure if you saw my last email.”

25 percent of the survey respondents said that phrase was annoying followed by 13 percent who didn’t like seeing “Per my last email” pop up in their inbox.

If you’re constantly checking your inbox and working to follow up on emails, that last thing you need is someone who constantly sends emails following up on emails previously sent.

45 percent of the survey participants said that one of the worst email faux pas was sending too many emails. Another big agitator was seeing a name spelled incorrectly in the email.

The “annoying” list also included “please advise,” “as previously stated, and “any update on this?”

Like texting and other non-face to face forms of communication, tone in email is incredibly hard to convey and easy to misconstrue.

If an email comes across as passive-aggressive, judgemental, or redundant, it can have a major impact on workplace productivity and morale.

“Emotion and intent are sometimes hard to convey via email, so [some phrases] can negatively impact productivity and culture,” Kristin Naragon, Adobe’s director of email solutions, told CNBC Make It. “Your colleagues could choose not to respond out of frustration. This can damage relationships and ultimately, morale.”

Email is one of the most preferred forms of office communication and so surveys like this can help people improve communication and respond to the most pressing issues as they arise.

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By Kay Vandette, Earth.com Staff Writer