When should you reply to work e-mail with a thank you?

[Anonymous]

I'm one of many people who report to the Vice Chairman of a very large company. I'm wondering what the etiquette is for when I should respond with a thank you for answers he gives/things he sends via e-mail. I don't want to appear ungracious when he takes the time to approve whatever I'm working on (even though it's part of his job) but I also want to respect that he is busy and might not want his e-mail clogged with thank yous. Thoughts?

[Anonymous]

I am curious what others think of this too. I am a mid-level employee. When a subordinate sends me a thank you, I ususally see no reason for it--thank you for doing my job? When one of my supervisors sends me a thank you by email, I also think its kind of strange.

[Anonymous]

I would not send a thank you. It's an in-box clogger (as you feared) and will look like ass-kissing. Yes, he took time out of a busy day to answer you, but it's part of his job as you pointed out.

[Anonymous]

I HATE the one word reply - "Thanks!" or "Thank you." emails.

It clogs up my email, I usually stop what I'm doing to look at the new email, only to find it says Thanks.

I believe a thank you email is only necessary when someone has gone above and beyond. Even then, it should be heartfelt and more than one or two words. Those are the emails that mean something.

[Anonymous]

Maybe you can add something substantive to a thank you reply.

[Anonymous]

This was a big topic for articles in the early 1990s. Poster 14:44 has hit the nail on the head. One or two word emails are a no-no.

[Anonymous]

I usually only thank someone busy like that if I want them to know I received their email. If we specifically ask for input from a large group, and the person takes the time to write a response, I will say - "Received - thank you for your prompt response" or something.

I appreciate when people do it so I know the matter is closed. That is also a good reason. The head of my dept. will often shoot back an email and it's either needing more information or simply saying "thank you" and if so I know the matter is closed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I usually only thank someone busy like that if I want them to know I received their email. If we specifically ask for input from a large group, and the person takes the time to write a response, I will say - "Received - thank you for your prompt response" or something.

I appreciate when people do it so I know the matter is closed. That is also a good reason. The head of my dept. will often shoot back an email and it's either needing more information or simply saying "thank you" and if so I know the matter is closed.

I think this is douche-y...

I generally don't say thank you via email, unless it is to someone who "responds well" to ass-kissing. In those cases, of course.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I usually only thank someone busy like that if I want them to know I received their email. If we specifically ask for input from a large group, and the person takes the time to write a response, I will say - "Received - thank you for your prompt response" or something.

I appreciate when people do it so I know the matter is closed. That is also a good reason. The head of my dept. will often shoot back an email and it's either needing more information or simply saying "thank you" and if so I know the matter is closed.

I think this is douche-y...

I generally don't say thank you via email, unless it is to someone who "responds well" to ass-kissing. In those cases, of course.

Wow, that's insulting.

[Anonymous]

I think what matters is to thank those who are subordinate to you, or those who take the extra effort to help you out. Thanking your boss when it is less than heartfelt makes you sound like a suck-up.

[Anonymous]

But the suck-ups are the ones who get ahead. Meritocracy, what is that?

[Anonymous]

I work in a large company and manage multiple projects with staff across the country and receive over 100 emails each day. Sending a quick thanks to acknowledge you received some information or to close out an issue works for us. It allows folks to move forward in their work - otherwise you will get asked "did you get my email?"

In your case OP I don't think you should send a thanks note to be polite, you should do it because your boss needs to know that an issue has been closed out.

[Anonymous]

I would not clog up my bosses inbox with a thank you email.

I do think it's important to thank subordinates however.

I know I always appreciate it when my supervisors acknowledge my work, even in a thank you email. But when those below me send me those one or two word emails I get annoyed they wasted my time by making me open it.

I also hate the one word "ok" emails from all sides. It's both an inbox clogger and a time waster, plus it's too abrupt to feel like a thanks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I usually only thank someone busy like that if I want them to know I received their email. If we specifically ask for input from a large group, and the person takes the time to write a response, I will say - "Received - thank you for your prompt response" or something.

I appreciate when people do it so I know the matter is closed. That is also a good reason. The head of my dept. will often shoot back an email and it's either needing more information or simply saying "thank you" and if so I know the matter is closed.

I think this is douche-y...

I generally don't say thank you via email, unless it is to someone who "responds well" to ass-kissing. In those cases, of course.

Actually, after a few times of extremely busy people resending an email asking if I got it, and if it would be incorporated into our comment letter, this has become our protocol. We represent a large industry and submit federal comments all the time. This is expected.

[Anonymous]

Wow! I send thanks emails. I thought I was being polite like my mother taught me. I get them fairly regularly, too. I must work with polite people.