Is it Okay to Email After Work Hours?
Have you ever hesitated before hitting "send" on an email at 8:00pm? I know I have. But lately, I've been thinking about why we put so much pressure on ourselves about this.
Let's be real - the whole "never email after 5:00pm" rule feels outdated in a world where we're all juggling different priorities and schedules. And maybe it's time we had an honest conversation about this?
The New Normal Isn't 9-to-5
Remember when "being professional" meant sitting at a desk during specific hours wearing business attire? Those days seem very distant now, don't they?
The truth is that many of us are doing our best work outside traditional hours. Maybe you're like me - getting your clearest thinking done after the kids are in bed. Or perhaps you're an early bird who knocks out brilliant strategy before the rest of us have finished our coffee! Or perhaps you work with clients in different time zones.
That email timestamp showing 9:24 PM is not a red flag - it's just a sign that someone is working in a way that fits their lifestyle. And honestly, isn't that a good thing?
It's Not When You Send, It's What You Expect
Here's what really matters: not the time on the email, but the expectations that come with it. When I send a late email, I'm not expecting you to drop everything and respond immediately. I'm just clearing my own inbox at a time that works for me. And I wish the same freedom for you!
A simple "No hurry on this - just getting it off my to-do list" can help clarify expectations. It says "I respect your time" while still allowing us both to work when we're at our best.
What We Can Do Better
Instead of stressing about when emails fly back and forth, let's focus on creating a culture where everyone feels comfortable setting agreed boundaries and working in their own rhythm.
This might look like:
Actually saying what we mean about timing: "Need this by Friday" or "Just FYI for next week"
Normalising phrases like "I'll get back to you tomorrow" without apology
Using scheduling features like Delay Delivery or Delay Send when working late but don't want to disturb others
Checking in with others about their communication preferences
The Big Picture
I believe we're moving toward something better than rigid schedules - a workplace that recognizes we're whole people with complex lives and different energy patterns.
That late-night email might represent the only quiet moment a working parent found that day. The early morning message might be from someone who does their strategic thinking at dawn. The weekend check-in might be from someone who needed to step away midweek for personal reasons.
And you know what? That flexibility makes us stronger, not weaker.
So, next time we see an after-hours message pop up, maybe we can take a breath and remember - it's not about working when all the time. It's about working in ways that suit our lifestyle.
What do you think? I'd love to hear your perspective on this. You can let me know by: