Communication

The one thing I would change in the email is the tone because it is too harsh. The harsh
tone in the email is evidenced by the supervisor’s use of strong, forceful language (Corner,
2018). The supervisor states, “Stop Working Overtime Now!” The words give the reader an
impression of someone shouting and ordering to force the recipient to submit. Shouting makes
the communication tone harsh in a conversation because it is a form of aggressive
communication. When someone shouts, they typically try to dominate the conversation and
assert their power over the other person. Consequently, it can make the conversation feel
uncomfortable and hostile. The second element demonstrating the harsh tone is the supervisor’s
judgment against the employees (Corner, 2018). John, the supervisor, blames the people working
overtime for making the company incur too many costs. The critical nature of John on the
impacts of overworking on the company renders the email’s tone harsh, making employees feel
as if they are being attacked.
The harsh tone of the email should be changed because using a harsh tone in a work
environment can have several adverse effects (Matsson & Jordan, 2022). First, it can create an
uncomfortable and hostile work environment, leading to tension and conflict between employees
and the supervisor. A harsh tone can also damage relationships between employees and
supervisors, negatively affecting effective communication, collaboration, and shared decision-
making. This can lead to demoralization and disengagement of employees.
The tone of the email can be altered if the supervisor eliminates the forceful language and
avoids being critical of the employees (Corner, 2018). The ideal email conveying the same
message should read:
Subject Line: Please Get Approval Before Working Overtime

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Message: Hey, I noticed that many people worked overtime this week, and I just wanted
to remind everyone that they need to get approval from their supervisor before working
overtime. As we advance, please make sure to get approval before working overtime.
Thanks,
Supervisor John

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References

Corner, J. (2018). Visiting professor in media and communication, University of Leeds, and
Professor Emeritus, University of Liverpool.
Matsson, A., & Jordan, T. (2022). Workplace bullying investigations: A complex endeavor for a
complex problem. Organizational Dynamics, 51(2), 100840.