Workplace Slideshow: E-mail Tsunami Overtakes Us, Even in the Bedroom

Isn't E-mail supposed to make communications much faster and more efficient than, say, a good old-fashioned phone conversation or, Heaven forbid, a fax? Then why are we trapped in the non-stop grind of keeping up with our in-boxes? Most American professionals routinely check work-related E-mail outside of office hours, according to 2,200 adults surveyed by Harris Interactive on behalf of E-mail solutions vendor Xobni. Respondents say they receive/send E-mail while sick, on vacation and even in bed. We must note that Xobni has a vested interest in this topic, as it produces a Microsoft Outlook add-in designed to help professionals manage E-mail with its usage/search tools. (The company's name is "inbox" spelled backwards.) Nonetheless, we think you'll find the survey results revealing and trust you'll benefit from the vendor-netural "best practices" to help you, and your IT employees ride the daily E-mail tidal wave, rather than drowning in it.