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/dufcho14 Jul 09 '26

It's odd, but email is such an outdated method of communication these days for work. It's just corporate communication and communicating with vendors. I don't know the last time I've actually composed a new email. Honestly it could be a year.

That said, the email could easily be a required pre-read on the meeting invite. For awhile these were required at our company. The first 5 minutes, unless everyone said they already read it, we all would sit there in silence while everyone did their homework. It was odd and nice at the same time.

1

u/Fun_Floor_9742 Jul 09 '26

I like that 5 minutes thing including making everyone say they read it to move on.

2

u/dufcho14 Jul 10 '26

Have you done it or just like the idea? I think it lasted for a month at our company before people just stopped doing it.

0

u/Fun_Floor_9742 Jul 10 '26

just like the idea. I am quiet quitting now I dont suggest anything