Don't Send These 7 E-Mails From Work!

From the Netscape website, one of the articles below about emails from work. I admit I've been guilty of:

• Item (2) before, but I've not been forwarding such scams any more.
• Partly of Item (3) as I send pictures but no links.
• Item (4) I make sure it is not on company mail, and that I am no longer working for that company.
• Item (5), same as Item (2), see above.

Am I reformed. I don't think so.

--andoy

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Don't Send These 7 E-Mails From Work!

If you're not careful, your e-mail can get you fired.

Think that's a remote possibility? Think again. In 2003, 25 percent of
all companies canned a worker just for violating the firm's e-mail
policy. Most corporate policies regarding e-mail are fairly simple and
straightforward and usually grounded in good old common sense.

PCWorld reporter Daniel Tynan has identified seven types of e-mail
messages you should never send from work if you want to stay employed:

1. Sexually explicit messages
No matter how great your Saturday night date, don't recount the
details in an e-mail to anyone if you're using your work address. Just
as the date was personal, keep the details personal and use your
personal e-mail address if you must brag.

2. Scam spam
We're all familiar with that message from a deposed citizen of an
African nation who needs your urgent assistance so you can become a
million dollars richer. No matter how humorous or tempting you may
find the offer, do not forward it to friends or colleagues.

3. Pornographic photos
Dow Chemical. Hewlett-Packard. The New York Times. Do you know what
these three companies have in common? They have each fired employees
for sending e-mails to their work buddies with Web site links to porn
photos. Is your job and family's security worth that?

4. Messages denigrating the boss
Here's a fun fact of corporate life of which you may not be aware:
Your company probably has a system in place to monitor your e-mail.
Complain about the boss and chances are very high someone you really
don't want to read your tirade will see it--your boss. Vent verbally.
That's why there's a water cooler!

5. Jokes
Your colleagues may not share your sense of humor, especially when it
comes to off-color, sexist, or racist jokes. True story: After Chevron
employees passed around an e-mail titled "25 reasons why beer is
better than women," four female employees sued the company for sexual
harassment. The cost to Chevron: a whopping $2.2 million. Not much of
a joke, after all.

6. Sensitive, personal information
Hey, bosses: When it comes time for your employees' quarterly and
annual reviews, do it in person and not by e-mail. When you use e-mail
to communicate an employee's performance evaluation, salary package,
and Social Security number that can become part of the public record
should the company be investigated or get involved in a legal action.

7. Messages urging someone to break the rules
Breaking the rules is unethical. Breaking the law is illegal. Either
way, don't ever send an e-mail urging anyone in your company to do
anything illegal, such as destroying files. Exhibit A: Investment
banker Frank Quattrone, who was sentenced to 18 months in prison for
obstruction of justice when he sent an e-mail to Credit Suisse First
Boston employees encouraging them to destroy evidence requested in an
SEC investigation.