When someone is tailgating me on the road, I slow down so that they are forced to keep a safer distance (3 feet at 10 mph is much safer, for example, than 3 feet at 60 mph). Similarly, when someone is pushy for quick responses, I sloooooow dooooown, minimizing their expectations. I usually get back to most people in a flash, but when it’s expected? Forget it. Unless, of course, it is an urgent matter.

In the junior high where I teach, we are expected to check our snail mail in the morning and once during the day. I think email should be treated similarly. Like Craig said, if it’s an emergency, they should try you by telephone.