According to recent research, sending internal emails on a Sunday between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. is the best time to get a response from your team.
After analyzing 8.7 million emails, Axios HQ discovered that emails sent during this time frame had a 94% chance of being opened compared to a 50 to 76% chance during the rest of the week.
The second most effective time to reach your team is on a Sunday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. with an 86% open rate for emails.
These specific times benefitted from “low competition” as they were not competing with Monday morning meetings or other emails during the busy work week.
While emails sent on Sunday afternoons have a better response rate than on weekdays, they may not always yield a positive reaction.
Previous research suggests that sending weekend emails may negatively impact workers’ mental health
Research has shown that the intrusion of technology in people’s lives outside of work hours can lead to increased stress and dissatisfaction with work-life balance.
Experts warn against the trend of sending emails during weekends as it may contribute to feelings of burden and stress among workers.
Another report highlighted the impact of out-of-hours emails on workers’ well-being, emphasizing the need for clear communication about urgency and respect for others’ time.
While sending emails on Sundays may lead to quick responses, it is important to consider the impact on employees’ well-being and not to inundate them with unnecessary communication during their off-hours.
Distinguishing between email opens and actual engagement
Although emails sent during specific times may have a high open rate, it does not guarantee that they will be read or responded to. It is crucial for managers to clearly communicate urgency in their emails to get the desired response.
Managers should also be mindful of the timing of their emails and respect employees’ boundaries to maintain a healthy work environment.
A version of this article was originally published on Fortune.com on August 4, 2023.
