Atos to implement ‘zero email’ policy

The CEO of Atos, a French international information technology services company, has said he wants to ‘ban’ emails within the company.

Thierry Breton, who is a former French finance minister, told ABC News he wants a ‘zero email’ policy to be in place within 18 months.

He argues that ‘only 10%’ of the emails his employees receives are ‘useful’ and wants them to use instant messaging or face to face contact as a means of communication instead.

Atos is an international information technology services company with annual 2010 pro forma revenues of EUR 8.6 billion and 74,000 employees in 42 countries.

Atos works with clients across market sectors including Manufacturing, Retail, Services; Public, Health & Transport; Financial Services and Telecoms.

Breton said that his staff spend up to 20 hours per week dealing with their emails:

“It is not normal that some of our fellow employees spend hours in the evening dealing with their emails,” he said.

“The email is no longer the appropriate communication tool.

“The deluge of information will be one of the most important problems a company will have to face in the future. It is time to think differently.”

Thierry Breton said he would stop all emails between employees by using new collaboration and social media tools instead.