by Susan Hibberd

Created on: July 13, 2008

Using the Internet and email system at work is one of the really volatile areas of employment angst at the moment. People just don't seem to realise how it all works!

STEALING

An employer provides the facilities a the place of work for the smooth running of his business. This means that everything he provides should only be used for company business. People who wouldn't consider using the company car for a trip to the country seem to feel quite at ease using the Internet and email facilities for his or her own personal use. This is stealing, as you are using computer equipment and electricity for something other than it's intended use (ie company business).

While you are using the email for personal matters, you are also stealing time from the company, as you are not applying yourself to the business. If you are sending jokes etc to other members of staff, you are also stopping them from working.

INAPPROPRIATE CONTENT

Many jokes that are sent round on the email are inappropriate, and can cause offence. It is very easy to press SEND to everyone in your address book and then realise you have sent a dirty joke to straight-laced superior who complains.

Use of certain words and phrases is frowned upon by most employers, and continued use could constitute a flouting of the rules.

FLIRTING

Using the work email to flirt with your colleagues can be cause for dismissal under both the above categories. It can be stopping people work, and can have inappropriate content. If you work in certain areas of business, such as national security, having an affair can be percieved as a security risk, and can in itself get you fired.

OFFENCE

It is quite easy to cause offence when sending an email, but not realising that your jokey tone and smiling face don't come across in the written word. It is possible to give offence and not even know it.

Another way to give offence is to write libellous remarks about a member of staff and send it to a friend, either within or outside the organisation. An organisation is within its rights to monitor emails, as it owns the system. These emails could come to light and get you into trouble. Even worse, you could accidentally send such an email to the person you are talking about!

PASSING ON INFORMATION

If you use email to pass information about the company to an external person or body, this can be construed as espionage, and would result in dismissal.

Email seems like a very quick and easy method of communication, but it is fraught with danger. New members of staff should be fully trained to use it well. Be warned!

Learn more about this author, Susan Hibberd.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.