Are you sure you want to send that?
Results of a recent survey have been published today in The Daily Telegraph and a number of other news outlets. Apparently, one in 20 UK workers have been reprimanded for misuse of company email. Some of the common office email bloopers are as follows:
- 13% of emailers have managed to send an insulting email to the person they were gossiping about.
- 30% have had an embarassing experience with the “Reply All” button.
- 20% thoughtful charmers have ended a relationship via email (or text message).
- One in Five of us have sent an inappropriate email in an angry blur, only to regret it a few seconds later.
- Pretty much everyone has sent a picture of a cat with “amusing” captions.
So if you want to avoid being hauled in front of your boss for inappropriate email use, follow our top tips:
- Always check the recipients list. If it’s got everyone in your department (and the tea lady) listed, you’ve probably hit “reply all”. If you didn’t mean to press reply all, don’t send the email. You’re bound to upset or irritate someone.
- Don’t send emails when you’re angry. Cut out letters from a newspaper or magazine, glue them to some (non-letterheaded) paper and post the note. That way, the recipient won’t know it’s you. Although the Police might well be interested in finding out who you are. Actually, don’t do this. Just go for a walk or something.
- Stop forwarding “hilarious” pictures of cats. Honestly, anyone that’s had internet access for more than half an hour has probably seen your amazing image of a cat playing the keyboard. They’ll also have seen the video, bought the mug and read Keyboard Cat’s Official Licensed Biography.
- Be sensible. Remember, you’re in the office, so someone’s probably monitoring what you send. Save those side-splitting off-colour jokes for when you get home.
If you’ve had an email mishap that you want to share, let us know in the comments section below, or tell us on Twitter.
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