In a time where digital junk mail can rival the tangible pieces in your mailbox, the practice of clicking ‘forward’ has become the norm. No matter how funny the jokes are or how pressing the matter seems to be, it’s important to ask, “Do I really want to forward this email?” Here are a few things to keep in mind:
- If the contents of the email are in any way libelous, offensive, racist, obscene, or inappropriate, your mouse should be racing for the ‘delete’ button. It is much better to verbalize what you heard later than to send it—in writing—in a public format for both obvious professional and legal reasons.
- If you’re at work, keep in mind that the company reserves the right to your time and likely has a way of tracking you down if you indulge in forwarding personal or non-work related emails at any point during the workday. It is unprofessional and can be a distraction to the recipients.
- People get annoyed; even though you might think something is going to be so funny for the recipient, you are gambling against a ‘please stop sending me these’ conversation. In no instance are chain letters okay, no matter how cleverly they are disguised. Your coworkers would rather risk ‘not having good luck for the next ten years’ for some sanity today.
- If you do choose to forward on appropriate/relevant emails, be sure to edit out all other forwarded info and headers, BCC all future recipients (to protect their privacy), and be sure to include a personal comment in the body of the text. Rename the subject of the email so they know whether it is urgent or not.
So think twice before you pass anything along. You are creating a reputation by every forward you send.
Making Etiquette Easy,
Susan K. Medina
Your post are all v. interesting and inspiring. I envy your conceptual clarity.
ReplyDeleteI posted a link (with my .00002 cent) on my forwarded emails’ blog. Hope you will reciprocate.
Best wishes.