Email Etiquette: Workplace Email Etiquette

Business Policies on E-mail Use

By
Relationship Advice Expert April Masini

Q: Dear April Masini,

I am a manager at a small business and we do a lot of our communication with each other and with our client's over e-mail. Several of my employees are on their e-mail all day, writing non-business related e-mail to friends and family members. Also, a few of my employees send forwards to the entire company, some of which I consider rather inappropriate. Should companies have policies regarding employee e-mail use?

Sincerely,

E-mailing Employees

A:

Dear E-mailing Employees,

As far as business policies go, there MUST be clear cut e-mail policies clearly communicated to everyone to avoid any problems. Many businesses don't have e-mail policies because e-mail is still considered new to many. But it's here to stay, and making rules now, is a great way to insure clear communication without problem.

Businesses should communicate limits:

*No porn or inappropriate jokes. Sexual harassment can happen by e-mail just as easily as it can in person, so don't send anything you wouldn't say or do in an office.

*Personal e-mail limits should be made as clear as possible. Personal e-mails are a lot like personal phone calls. It's pretty hard to have happy employees who aren't allowed personal phone calls or e-mails. Just be clear on how much is too much and what is inappropriate on a business e-mail account.

E-mail is incredibly quick, efficient, and accessible. It's changed lives around the world because of the way it's made communications easier. But e-mail etiquette is important!

April Masini -- nicknamed "the new millennium's Dear Abby" by the media, is author of the best-selling books Date Out Of Your League and Think & Date Like A Man, the two (just released) step-by-step dating and relationship manuals, Ideas for a Fun Date and Romantic Date Ideas, and the critically acclaimed dating and relationship online magazine www.AskApril.com.

Date Out Of Your League Think & Date Like a Man Ideas for a Fun Date Romantic Date Ideas

© 2004-2009 AskApril.com, LLC. All rights reserved. AskApril®, AskApril.com®, and Ask April® are registered trademarks owned by Masini Enterprises, Inc. This material can only be republished and redistributed if it is kept in it's original form, including, but not limited to, all AskApril branding, banners, links, books, and credits.