Staff stressed out by e-mail overload
Office e-mailing is a major cause of work-related stress, according to a study published by the Institute of Management and PPP Healthcare.
Keeping up with floods of e-mails has been cited as more of a worry than having a bad working relationship or working in a poor environment.
But with instant messaging systems that stay permanently on a desktop computer screen and the predicted boom in Wireless Application Technology (WAP) – which will keep people on e-mail even when they are away from the office – the problems of e-overload look set to escalate.
The institute recommends a number of ways to prevent the information age dragging you down. These include turning off instant messaging programmes and only checking your e-mail twice a day. As inboxes continue to bulge, however, the prospect of dealing with two mail mountains per day rather than despatching quick responses while working, probably does not appeal.
In this case the institute recommends replying immediately to acknowledge amail, but promising a more substantial reply later.
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