I disagree. I don't see any difference between email 1 and email 2 except for email 2 has a bunch more filler words.
If I was to rewrite this it'd look something like this:
To: Allhands@CompanyX.com
From: JoeTheHRManager@CompanyX.com
Subject: New Work-From-Home Policy
Hi Everyone,
All of upper management have just put in their notice!
Bagels in the break room!
Joe
What I mean to suggest is this type of email should NEVER be sent out in the first place. Blanket "Policy Changes" like this that impact everyone is a complete failure of management. This puts at-risk every employee you have.
Whatever reason for making the policy change (person X is not following the rules) needs to be resolved otherwise discontent and resentment will build (You know why this happened probably because Frank works from home ALL THE TIME).
Policies aren't intrinsically bad - guidance is fine and great for new starters to help them understand how stuff works.
The implication here is that if someone is out of line then their manager should take that up one on one. That's fine (and right) but the other side of it is how do they know what "in line" is if it's never codified and communicated?
No, policies aren't inherently bad, but wide-sweeping policy changes for perceived problems or in response to relatively few bad actors are company killers. You might not see it right away, but your people who have options will leave you eventually.
The part that's bad in email 2 is "we've decided". No one likes being a slave to anothers will or reminded of the fact.
If I ever send out a bs policy update without discussing informally with staff or managers beforehand I expect everyone here to walk.
We spend a lot of money hiring talent. They do whatever the fuck they want so long as they get the job done. If they're not getting the job done, then we talk. We don't punish everone for one guys non performance.
Wait, what are you talking about? WE decided? MY best interests? How do you know what MY best interest is? How can you say what MY best interest is? What are you trying to say?
I disagree. Email 2 is far far better. Specifically, it does a better job of providing context and helping me understand what the underlying issue may have been that led to the change. It would also leaves me feeling more comfortable if I wanted to ask questions about it.
When sending something company-wide I think management should err on the side of over-communication. Communicating via the written word is difficult enough and examples like Email 1 are the kind that (over time) begin to grate on people.
I'm sorry, but the bagels email is far better. It presents critical information in an easily digestible form, is succinct and would probably go much further in improving morale and productivity in the workplace than emails 1 & 2. If only more companies would send such a missive!
If I was to rewrite this it'd look something like this:
What I mean to suggest is this type of email should NEVER be sent out in the first place. Blanket "Policy Changes" like this that impact everyone is a complete failure of management. This puts at-risk every employee you have.Whatever reason for making the policy change (person X is not following the rules) needs to be resolved otherwise discontent and resentment will build (You know why this happened probably because Frank works from home ALL THE TIME).