--- description: Work-related texting is more common. Here's how to speak the language. title: Tiny Screen, Big Gaffe-ability: 7 Essential Rules for Work Texting image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltae0828c4c7c6317c/6987693906f2c11709332499/143383028.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  * [Business](/section/business/) ## Business Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close * [Careers & Workplace](/tag/careers-workplace/) ## Careers & Workplace Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close # 7 Essential Rules For Texting at Work by [Martha C. White White](/author/martha-c-white/) ## Martha C. White White Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Nov 18, 2014 10:45 AM CUT  Go ahead, text. Go ahead, text.Blend Images - REB Images—Getty Images/Brand X by [Martha C. White White](/author/martha-c-white/) ## Martha C. White White Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Nov 18, 2014 10:45 AM CUT If you see young people at work texting all the time, don’t assume they’re chatting with friends. Roughly one in seven millennials in a recent [survey](http://www.slideshare.net/BentleyU "undefined") said they prefer text messaging over other methods of communication at work. Given this demographic’s size and rising clout in the workforce, this means one thing: If you don’t already text with your co-workers, it’s probably only a matter of time. The problem is, there isn’t a lot of guidance around what, for most people, is a casual form of communication, says Jason Dorsey, chief strategy officer at the [Center for Generational Kinetics](http://www.genhq.com "undefined"). “Many employee manuals and orientations don’t cover texting at work, which makes knowing what to do or not to do all the more stressful,” he says. So, we asked experts in workplace communications, human resources and millennial behavior to weigh in with some rules for texting at work. Here’s what they say: **Ask first.** Just because you have a colleague’s mobile number doesn’t give you carte blanche to fire off a thumb-typed note, especially when it comes to your boss, Dorsey says. “Your company may have a policy or compliance issues that says texting is not allowed,” he points out. Plus, it’s entirely possible the recipient might find the communication intrusive instead of imperative. **Skip the salutations.** “It’s fine to leave out formalities, best wishes, kind regards-type wording in text messages and get straight to the point,” says Matt Mickiewicz, CEO of job-search site [Hired.com](http://Hired.com "undefined"). If you’re not certain if the recipient will recognize your mobile number, it’s fine to start off with, “Hi, it’s so-and-so,” but that’s it. **Keep it brief.** “Texting is an interruption driven communications, less intrusive than calling, but more than an email correspondence,” says Praful Shah, senior vice president of strategy at cloud-based phone company [RingCentral](http://ringcentral.com "undefined"). “Only text when response time is important.” **Know when to kill it.** “Texts should be used to share a key piece of information or ask a short question,” says Paul Wolfe, senior vice president of human resources at job-search site [Indeed.com](http://Indeed.com "undefined"). They’re not meant for hashing out complicated situations or providing tons of detail. “If it takes more than three text messages to answer your question, stop texting and call them,” Dorsey says. **Abbreviate judiciously, spell correctly.** In general, you can get away with commonly used abbreviations, Dorsey says. That is, unless your boss spells everything out, in which case — sorry — you should, too. The brief nature of text messages means that truncated grammar is generally OK, but it’s still important to make sure your spelling is correct. **Reply promptly.** “Since texting should be much more brief than an email, it should be easy to respond to more quickly than an email,” Wolfe says. Put it in the same category of communications as an instant message, and reply accordingly. **No emoticons.** Just — no. Save that for chats with your friends or your kids, not the person who signs your paycheck. ### 5 Horrible Habits You Need to Stop Right Now  Do Not Email First Thing in the Morning or Last Thing at Night “The former scrambles your priorities and all your plans for the day and the latter just gives you insomnia,” says Ferriss, who insists “email can wait until 10am” or after you check off at least one substantive to-do list item. Chris Pecoraro—Getty Images  Do Not Agree to Meetings or Calls With No Clear Agenda or End Time “If the desired outcome is defined clearly… and there’s an agenda listing topics–questions to cover–no meeting or call should last more than 30 minutes,” claims Ferriss, so “request them in advance so you can ‘best prepare and make good use of our time together.'” Sam Edwards—Getty Images/Caiaimage  Do Not Check Email Constantly Batch it and check it only periodically at set times (Ferriss goes for twice a day). Your inbox is analogous to a cocaine pellet dispenser, says Ferriss. Don’t be an addict. Tools like strategic use of the auto responder and Boomerang can help. Jetta Productions—Getty Images  Do Not Carry a Digital Leash 24/7 At least one day a week leave you smartphone somewhere where you can’t get easy access to it. If you’re gasping, you’re probably the type of person that most needs to do kick this particular habit. by nacoki ( MEDIA ARC )—Getty Images/Flickr RF  Do Not Let People Ramble Sounds harsh, but it’s necessary, Ferriss believes. “Small talk takes up big time,” he says, so when people start to tell you about their weekends, cut them off politely with something like “I’m in the middle of something, but what’s up?” But be aware, not everyone agrees with this one (and certainly not in every situation), and you may want to pay particularly close attention to norms around chit chat when traveling internationally. 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