Your sleeping issues are making you a total jerk over email

Add another potential conflict to worry about in the workplace. You may be acting like a jerk and not even realize it — over email.

Not only do you have to watch your words and actions while interacting with coworkers, but your coworkers may be secretly hating you because of the tone of your emails. 

A recent study shows that people who don’t get enough sleep can be as crabby over email as they are in person.

The study used obscure words like “email incivility” to soften abrasive emails, but as it turns out, no amount of coffee can change the attitude of a tired employee.

You can’t take back that delivered email

Perhaps that all caps message you sent in response to Susan’s email may have been a little over the top.

According to a Journal of Occupational Health Psychology study, a lack of sleep contributes to an increase in disrespectful and inconsiderate emails.

The sender’s sleep issues increase their irritability and decision-making processes, resulting in passive-aggressive emails dripping in sarcasm.

To make things worse, a lack of sleep may also limit your ability to recognize the insensitive nature of your email. Insomnia has a way of hijacking your ability to process how other people may interpret your messages. 

The result? 

Emails that make you look like a total jerk.

Personal impact

In addition to making you look like a total jerk, emails are also commonly stored for a long time and can be used against you the next time you apply for that promotion. 

So before you send that “all” message sarcastically addressing your pleasure of cleaning out the office microwave yet again, pause and think about the unintended consequences of that communication.

It turns out that our “e-manners” may be more impactful than we realize. 

Workplace impact

The study also looked at the impact these abrasive emails have on the recipients. Because emails do not have tone and voice inflection attached to them, much of what is interpreted is the reader’s assumptions. 

Some recipients can easily brush off these emails or take them at face value. However, other people can be emotionally affected by “in your face” emails in the same manner as if you delivered the message orally. 

In addition to abrasive language in email, the lack of information or failing to address specific questions can be a passive-aggressive action with significant impacts. 

The study mentioned above showed that failing to answer employee questions in email caused some employees to experience their own sleep issues associated with insomnia. Worrying about the unknowns and why a question was not addressed caused employees to focus on the lack of information similarly to harsh emails.

Mitigating the emotional impact of emails

It’s important supervisors set clear expectations regarding email communications because of how easy it is to send mixed messages and emotionally charged emails.

While it’s challenging to know how someone may interpret a message, a few best practices should be followed to minimize the impact of unprofessional email exchanges.

For instance, an anti-all-caps policy may be a good start. Email rudeness comes in all forms, and it’s more beneficial if the sender realizes they may not want to send an email if they feel irritated.

Avoid sending emails when you’re mad is a good rule of thumb for anyone thinking about communicating electronically.

Email is similar to social media in that once it is sent out, it’s very difficult to delete what was posted. Before you send your next email, consider how it may affect others in the workplace and if you would still send it if you felt rested.