{"id":6371,"date":"2022-12-12T13:41:51","date_gmt":"2022-12-12T13:41:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/?p=6371"},"modified":"2025-06-11T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2025-06-11T00:00:00","slug":"just-checking-in-professionally","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/just-checking-in-professionally\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Say \u2018Just Checking In\u2019 Professionally \u2014 Full Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Let\u2019s be honest. Most people don\u2019t like to be on the receiving end of a \u201cc<\/em>hecking in\u201d <\/em>message from someone they work with.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After all, even the phrase \u201cjust checking in\u201d<\/em> doesn\u2019t really sound like it\u2019s conveying genuine concern, does it?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether it\u2019s coming from a coworker or a supervisor, we usually see this kind of message as the sender\u2019s way of urging us to give them what they want \u2014 which is usually our time, attention, and labor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, is there anything we can do to improve the experience of receiving a check-in email or message?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Well, learning how to say \u201cjust checking in\u201d <\/em>professionally (but ideally without getting on the recipient\u2019s nerves) can only help!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But, before we do that, let\u2019s take a moment to discuss when<\/em> sending that kind of message would be appropriate.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Checking-in-cover\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

When should you check in on someone you work with?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As annoying as receiving a check-in email might be, there are still several valid reasons one might have to send that type of message.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Indeed, there are at least 4 communication situations<\/a> that might warrant a \u201cchecking up on you\u201d<\/em> message. For example, you could send one to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. Request a work-related status update,<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. See how someone is handling their workload,<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Mediate an interpersonal problem someone is having, or<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Offer support when a coworker or their loved ones are having health issues.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    So, let\u2019s see how each of these scenarios might play out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

    \n
    \n Check in with your team quick & easy<\/span>\n

    Stay up to date with your team with Pumble, the all-in-one collaboration app.<\/p>\n\n

    \n Explore<\/a>\n\n Sign up<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n
    \n \n \n \"Illustration\"\n <\/picture>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n \n\n\n\n

    Scenario #1: When you need a status update<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    When you want to know where you stand on a project or a task you\u2019ve previously discussed with a colleague, sending them a check-in email or message allows you to ask for a status update<\/a> more naturally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    However, in these cases, it\u2019s best to have both parties involved agree upon a set check-in date and time<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    If you properly communicate your expectations<\/a>, that check-in email or text won\u2019t catch anyone by surprise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    And, if you\u2019re using a team communication app like Pumble<\/a> by CAKE.com, you could even set a reminder<\/a> to check in with your coworker, as shown in the image below.<\/p>\n\n\n

    \n
    \"Milo
    Milo uses the reminder feature on Pumble, the business messaging app<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

    Outside of internal communication<\/a>, this type of \u201cchecking in\u201d<\/em> message can also be used to request an update after a job interview <\/strong>orfollow up with <\/strong>third parties<\/strong><\/a> like clients or customers<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Scenario #2: When the other person\u2019s workload suddenly increases<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    If you know someone is having a hard time with a particularly stressful project<\/strong>, you might want to see how they\u2019re doing by saying something like:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n

    \u201cI\u2019m dropping in to check if you need any assistance.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

    \n

    \u201cTaking a moment to see if you have everything you need.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

    \n

    \u201cJust checking to see how you are doing with the new assignment.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

    Even if your team member seems perfectly productive, you can still check in to see how they\u2019re feeling or offer support, as illustrated by the example below.<\/p>\n\n\n

    \n
    \"Sarah
    Sarah checks in on Nick and offers to reassign his assignments on Pumble, the team communication app<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

    On top of that, even if the scope of the work remains constant, operational changes could provide ample reason to check in with your team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    For example, let\u2019s say your company just introduced a new piece of software into the equation \u2014 such as a new team collaboration app<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Even if you provided employee training before switching, some people may still find it difficult to get used to the new app.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    If you notice an employee struggling to integrate the software into their workflow, you might want to set aside some time to provide additional support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Naturally, that offer would follow a good old \u201cjust checking in\u201d<\/em> message.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Scenario #3: When the recipient of the message is having problems with another coworker<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Whether they\u2019re prompted by disagreements over how things should be done or personality clashes with difficult coworkers<\/a>, letting <\/strong>workplace conflicts<\/strong><\/a> get out of hand may affect the team\u2019s collaboration and productivity<\/strong> in the long run.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    So, if you notice that some of your coworkers or employees are acting differently around certain people, a \u201cchecking in\u201d message would be a good way to get to the bottom of the issue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Though the dispute could be caused by something trivial, this type of tension can also be an indicator of workplace bullying<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    In this case, a check-in email or text message could be the first step of your conflict resolution<\/a> plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Or, if you suspect that your team members won\u2019t open up in writing, you could invite them to share their thoughts during a one-on-one meeting<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n

    \n
    \"A
    A one-on-one video call in Pumble, the business messaging app by CAKE.com<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

    Share updates with your team in real time in Pumble<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Scenario #4: When they (or their loved ones) are having health issues<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Last but certainly not least, if someone you work with has been sick or absent from work, checking in with them should be completely acceptable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Well, if they\u2019re on sick leave and you already sent them a get well soon message<\/a>, you should wait for them to come back to work before following up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    However, once they\u2019re back, you could send them that check-in message if you:<\/p>\n\n\n\n