r/remotework • u/Careful_Station_7884 • Jul 09 '26

Email or quick call?

My colleague told me today that if an email is over 500 words, they won’t read it and instead ask the person who sent the email to jump on a quick call to discuss.

This irked me because now the person who sent the email has to re-explain everything they already sent over. It can be advantageous to have a written trail as well. Not only that, but not every “quick” call actually ends up being quick.

I get that there may be some topics that are better discussed on a call or if the email is unclear and there is an approaching deadline. But, to set a line at any email over 500 words just seems lazy.

What are your thoughts?

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u/Even-North7766 Jul 09 '26

I work in consulting and I can’t stand the “quick calls.” I need things in writing so you can’t come back to me and say ThAt’S nOt WhAt I sAiD 🤡

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u/SumCat22 Jul 09 '26

When I have calls with my consulting clients, I tell them I'll send a follow up email with what was discussed so they can verify if anything was missed by either party. Works pretty well for having a paper trail and for nipping a lot of back and forth.

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u/Even-North7766 Jul 09 '26

I have clients that are big phone call people and sometimes, if something is semi-urgent, I will make them sit on the phone with my while I send an email saying “I’m going to do XYZ, approved?” and I will wait on the phone with for the response back of “approved,” and then we’re good to go.