in-tray
Pending documents holder
An in-tray is a container on a desk where incoming documents, mail, and papers requiring attention are placed.
The term extends to email inboxes and any accumulation of tasks awaiting action: My in-tray is overflowing.
British spelling; Americans typically write in-box or inbox for both physical and digital versions.
Message receiving folder
- emailDigital written communication
- messagesSent pieces of communication
- notificationsAutomated messages announcing events
- unreadNot yet perused
queue · pending · tasks · assignments · tickets · requests · submissions · flagged
Assigned task volume
- tasksUnits of work
- responsibilitiesDuties one must fulfill
- prioritiesMost important things
- deadlinesSubmission cutoff times
pressure · overwhelm · demands · to-do · agenda · plate · burden · duties
Formal written records
- correspondenceExchanged written communication
- memosShort official messages
- lettersAlphabetic characters or mail
- formsVarieties or documents
reports · invoices · notices · circulars · applications · proposals · contracts · receipts
Awaiting resolution or decision
- incomingMoving toward arrival
- unprocessedNot yet treated
- backlogAccumulated unfinished work
- queueOrdered waiting line
prioritizing · sorting · delegating · processing · actioning · reviewing · triaging · clearing
inbox
Message receiving folder
- emailDigital written communication
- messagesSent pieces of communication
- notificationsAutomated messages announcing events
unread · queue · pending · tasks · assignments · tickets · requests · submissions · flagged · starred
workload
Assigned task volume
- tasksUnits of work
- responsibilitiesDuties one must fulfill
- prioritiesMost important things
deadlines · pressure · overwhelm · demands · to-do · agenda · plate · burden · duties · obligations
documents
Formal written records
- correspondenceExchanged written communication
- memosShort official messages
- lettersAlphabetic characters or mail
forms · reports · invoices · notices · circulars · applications · proposals · contracts · receipts · agendas
pending
Awaiting resolution or decision
- incomingMoving toward arrival
- unprocessedNot yet treated
- backlogAccumulated unfinished work
queue · prioritizing · sorting · delegating · processing · actioning · reviewing · triaging · clearing · accumulating
basket
Woven carrying vessel
compartment · stackable · tiered · mesh · wooden · plastic · overflow · pile · stack · slot
- vintage officetypewriter, adding machine, mimeograph, dictaphone, Rolodex
- office suppliespens, pencils, paper clip, staplers, paperclip
in-trayout-tray
Container for outgoing items
outbox · out-basket · outgoing mail · sent folder · filing tray