Respecting Business E-mail Addresses

Just as you wouldn’t call someone at work every hour with the latest gossip or joke you’ve heard, nor should you forward them silly jokes, political commentary or anything that says “forward to all your friends.” Whether it be to a friend at another business or a coworker in the cubicle next to you.

This type of behavior on company time reflects a lack of professionalism and respect for your employers resources. It also shows you don’t have the discipline to do what you are being paid to do — your job.

This is pretty much common sense, right? Guess not based on what I see being forwarded from business e-mail addresses on a daily basis. What one may not realize is that many times work e-mails are monitored and if not monitored, there are copies of those forwards kept on servers that can be produced at a later date.

You should not assume that the person on the other side who is most likely busy with their responsibilities — i.e. the job they are getting paid to do at that company e-mail address, may not appreciate these forwards landing in their business e-mail inbox.

If you must forward non-business related e-mails, send them to your friend’s personal e-mail address. If you don’t have their personal address — then don’t forward.

You know the saying I use all the time about “if you wouldn’t put it on your business letterhead, then don’t do it in an e-mail?” In this case, if you wouldn’t print it out and send it in a company envelope — then don’t forward. Simple.

Some More Info for You:

1. Business E-mail: Business is Business…
2. Never Spam Addresses in the To: Field
3. Business & E-mail Address Privacy
4. E-mailing Visible Addresses is Not O.K.
5. Copying Email Addresses: Invasion of Privacy?