Fundamental Ethics Whenever Sending Nachrichten at Work

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an employee observing basic email ethics when sending an email

In today’s contemporary world, professionals heavily rely on email for business communication due to its speed and immediacy in receiving responses.

With the increasing prevalence of online businesses, email has become indispensable across all communication channels. A simple error can potentially jeopardize business deals or damage relationships.

Therefore, it’s essential to enhance your skills in proper email etiquette. Below is a list of fundamental email etiquettes that should never be overlooked:

Basic Email Etiquette in the Workplace

Avoid Negative Remarks

Email is not the platform to convey critical or antagonistic comments. Such remarks can hurt feelings and lead to uncomfortable situations.

If you need to deliver bad news, email can be a suitable medium to do so without the pressure of a face-to-face interaction. Additionally, it enables you to present precise information as you focus on the facts.

Choose Your Words Wisely

Words can sometimes be misconstrued. To avoid the need for further clarification, use concise and direct language. While you might be familiar with using “emoticons” or Internet language, never assume the recipient shares the same familiarity.

Inform your recipients if your message doesn’t require a response. You can indicate this in your subject line or at the end of your message by writing something like “No response needed.” This saves time for both parties and prevents unnecessary follow-ups.

Beware of Spam

Unsolicited emails are commonly referred to as “spams” or junk mail. Many people don’t welcome them, and only a few might be interested in receiving them. Therefore, before sending unsolicited emails, seek recipients’ permission or at least inform them that you’re sending one.

If you plan to “CC” copies of your email to others in the office, the same caution about spam applies.

When replying to all recipients, especially in a group email, consider whether everyone needs to see your response. Avoid clicking the “reply to all” button if unnecessary.

Personal or confidential matters should not be sent through email. Such topics are better discussed in person to maintain privacy.

While you may attempt to keep your emails private, remember that nothing is truly private on the Internet. Software and services can retrieve messages even after they’ve been deleted.

Before hitting “send,” think about the potential consequences if your email falls into the wrong hands.

Limit Attachments

Include only necessary attachments. Too many attachments in an email can slow down uploading and downloading times. Additionally, it can consume more space on the recipient’s computer.

If the information isn’t time-sensitive, consider using alternative methods like fax machines or courier services.

Regarding Forwarded Emails

Every day, emails that are funny, touching, or intriguing are forwarded to a list of friends. However, not all forwarded emails are safe. Such emails can provide spammers with a way to gather email addresses for profit.

In a way, the company you work for could unwittingly be associated with the content you’re sending. If an email address used to share adult-themed messages includes the company’s name, it could damage your or your company’s image and reputation.

In such cases, it’s advisable to enforce a company-only email policy or encourage employees to use “BBC” (Blind Carbon Copy) to prevent the appearance of a distribution list.

Be cautious of forwarded hoaxes that circulate online. Some emails promise freebies, vacations, or financial gain, while others claim your computer has a virus. Always verify the source of such information before acting on it.

Do your due diligence to avoid falling for misinformation and trusting unreliable sources.

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