Should a Project Manager Ever Request a Read Receipt for their E-Mail Message?
We’ve all received them…the inglorious Read Receipt message when you open an email. “The sender of this email would like to request an acknowledgement that you have read this message,” of which you are then prompted to click on a button to say you have indeed opened their email and read it.
Really??
This just screams “I don’t trust you” and I never respond to this request. Likewise, I never use them. Rather, I’ll walk over to the person or give them a call to make sure my message is received.
Which brings me to my question…is there ever a time that a project manager would use the ‘read receipt’ feature in their email program. If not, why would a project manager use this feature? Saving Changes...
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Kevin HartfordProject Manager| Olgoonik Specialty ContractorsArlington, Va, United States
There are people (many that I have worked with) that actually believe that sending an email is actually communication. I've tried to make it clear that sending an email is only the beginning of communication.
I actually worked for a Division manager that used to send me an email to complain that a few of my direct reports did not read emails that he sent. I used to just shake my head and laugh. This proves that he did not trust these folks, but me neither.
If I have to send an email, due to the time/distance equation then I follow up with a phone call or a face-to-face. Saving Changes...
Peter WrightProgramme Manager| BAE SystemsSouthport, Merseyside, United Kingdom
I agree that you can not and should not rely on email, especially in this day and age of smart phones where the person may just browse what the email is about and not necessarily properly digest the meaning and reason for the email.
I do have read and delivery receipts set but I use this as a way to ensure there are not any network issues, that way when I go to the person/call them I can start with "i have sent you an email....." otherwise if I do not know it has been delivered and/or read i can assume the response will be"what email i have not got it".
In my opinion I believe it depends on your environment, if you are in a position were you have to watch your back or sites evidence then you will TRY and use read and delivery receipts that way,
that said the person still just needs to say, but I had not read it fully just licked onit, why did you not contact me verbally/face to face to confirm I understood your question...
The only time I have seen is used by any PM's is for the accountability aspect of communcation in concert with meetings, face to face etc. It is never good when it gets to that point. A difficult team member and a irritated PM. Saving Changes...
Wai Mun KooPMO Director| Intergraph PP&MSingapore, Singapore
I believe people use a Read Receipt for their emails due to lack of trust and as evidence of a 'communicated message' (Ah, you can't deny that you have never read that mail since I've got your Read Receipt). If they are just concerned if the mail is delivered properly, they could have used Delievery Receipt instead. The good news here is the recipient may choose to ignore this Read Receipt in email client. For those Blackberry Messenger users, this is not an option as the Read Receipt will be sent out immediately when you read the message. Saving Changes...
Mark Price PerryBusiness Driven PMO Evangelist| BOT InternationalOrlando, Fl, United States
While I have never requested an acknowledgement for all of the reasons cited below, I am not offended by having a sender use this feature. Rather, I take it for what it is - the sender would like a receipt. In this day and age of junkmail, server and client mail filters, and just folks that delete some of their inbox new mail items without opening them, etc, it is not unreasonable to want some form of receipt. Great post and responses by all. Saving Changes...
Elizabeth HarrinDirector| RebelsGuideToPM.comLondon, England, United Kingdom
I sometimes use this feature because I don't trust my email software, not because I don't trust the recipient! Saving Changes...
