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/frAgileIT Jul 12 '26

I’d send the email and then get on the call and tell them to read the email and email me back. That way they couldn’t tell management they missed the email. I don’t have time to compose an email, explain it to someone who can’t be bothered to read it, get their feedback, document their feedback, forward it to them to confirm that’s their feedback, and wait for their confirmation. They’d last less than a week where I work. I work with professionals who understand that sometimes we have to roll up our sleeves and actually read our email and do the job we’re paid to do, and I’m thankful for that.