Work Email—Do’s and Don’ts

E-mail should come with a warning label:

"Caution: Do not use e-mail without adult supervision."

Employees often make incorrect assumptions about e-mail usage in the workplace. Employees assume that because it's their work e-mail account, on their work computer, in their office space -- it's theirs. Wrong. Your work email belongs to your employer and should be treated accordingly. Email should never be used to: Discriminate, Harass, Disparage, Make obscene or vulgar comments, or Offend others. The next time you are sending an email from work as yourself these questions before hitting the send button:

1. Would I be comfortable if my e-mail appeared in the newspaper or on the Internet?

2. Would I be comfortable if my comments were quoted out of context?

3. Does my e-mail reflect positively on the company? On me?

4. Could this message be perceived in a negative or offensive way?

REMEMBER:

• If you send an effective e-mail, not only will you receive effective e-mail in return, you will receive FEWER e-mails
• If you’re sending an e-mail TO someone, he or she is your intended audience and you expect them to do something. If you someone is CC-ed (carbon copy), they are receiving the e-mail as an FYI. The BC (blind copy) function means BE CAREFUL!

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