I’ve been thinking about workplace communication and how formal it should actually be. In professional settings, we’re often told to be polite and formal, but in many modern workplaces, emails and messages seem much more casual and friendly.
So I’m wondering — where should we draw the line between formal and informal communication at work?
For example, is it okay to use simple language and a conversational tone in emails, or should we always stick to very formal wording? Does the level of formality depend on who we’re communicating with (manager, colleague, client, or HR)?
I also feel that being too formal can sound distant, while being too casual might look unprofessional.
What has your experience been? What style do you think works best in today’s workplace?