Business E-mail: Business is Business…

Daily e-mails pour in about what to do in regard to situations involving work related e-mail. Many times these problems could have been avoided if folks just used some common sense and discretion in how they chose to use their employer’s resources.

When at work and using your employer’s resources — which includes computers, online connections and of course e-mail — business is business. The level of attention, professionalism and ethics you choose to apply is not up to you to determine or ration out. Your employer should be able to expect they have 100% of your attention and 100% of your efforts in regard to conducting yourself as a professional with the highest of ethical standards — that’s what you are being paid for. Business is business.

A good general rule of thumb is to not put anything in a business e-mail that you wouldn’t feel comfortable putting on company letterhead. This includes your choice of formatting, formality and verbiage. What you forward and to whom needs to be carefully thought out as well. No chain letters, jokes, non-business related Web sites — business is business

Discretion also comes into play when e-mailing with those in your office or company — you still should watch your P’s and Q’s. Stay away from being an eTattler, gossip and personal commentary best left for after hours, off location discussions. Business is business.

To that advice some have responded that if their employer doesn’t have an e-mail policy in place “anything goes.” Believe that and you will be the first to go!

When at work, respect your employer’s resources. Only use your company e-mail for business purposes and only use your personal e-mail when on your own time. Think before you type, think again before you send. You are a representative of your company and you need to make a professional polished impression with each and every e-mail you send.

For the basics, check out my very popular article: Business E-mail Etiquette Basics.