European managers spend at least two hours per day dealing with emails, equating to 10 years of a worker’s life spent emailing, according to research commissioned by Plantronics.

The survey found that every email sent generates a trail of between four to six additional items popping up in your inbox. The extensive use of email, particularly for internal transactions is being questioned by managers as a substitute for face-to-face or voice discussion, particularly as email is seen to prolong decision-making.

The study shows that, used effectively, email can help improve process and the sharing of information as well as support decision making, however if not used smartly it can create a faceless environment, reduce the ability of the individual to act and put an emphasis on protecting one’s own position.  In contrast, speaking on the phone was found to put a stop to the generation of further email traffic, often clarifying issues and speeding up decision making. 

Philip Vanhoutte, European managing director of Plantronics, says: “Our results show that the phone is used as a secondary communication tool and email the first ,despite the negative impact it has on employee productivity, wellbeing and the company’s bottom line. Managers need to encourage greater use of the telephone and teach people how to effectively use a range of information communications technology products to support decision making, networking and increase workers flexibility.”