E-mails that will get you fired

Here’s a scenario most of us are familiar with, whether first-hand or as a witness to a colleague’s faux pas: an e-mail with a stripping Santa Claus figure is sent to a cluster of internal contacts at Christmas time and, accidentally included on the recipients’ list, is the company CEO. Embarrassing for the sender, yes. Grounds for dismissal? Unlikely.

What can prove far more detrimental to your career, however, is the way you compose your everyday e-mails. We often treat e-mail communication in the same casual manner as we do informal telephone conversations, and it’s all too easy to forget that there’s a flawless digital record of what’s been communicated.

Unlike verbal conversations, e-mails can also be forwarded to the wrong people – usually by accident. Likewise, if a message is written in a hurry, it can end up sloppy or leave itself open to misinterpretation and, as a result, it can have nasty repercussions. It’s always better to think before you send.

Convenient e-mail enabled devices such as PDA phone and notebooks also allow you to send e-mails from anywhere these days too, but it’s important to train yourself to send in “work mode”. Next time you reach for your PDA phone and notebook, remember that you’re representing yourself and your company, no matter where you are or what you’re wearing. E-mail mistakes that could cost your job

• E-mails sent under the influence had a couple of drinks after work? Save your response till the morning when you’re sure of what you’re saying.
• Sarcasm and dry wit E-mail is not a good medium to convey the intricacies of sarcasm, and often it can be taken out of context – with disastrous repercussions.
• Private matters always better to separate business and pleasure – and using company resources for personal issues is generally a bad idea.
• Professional criticisms if it’s a small thing, say it over the phone; otherwise it looks too official and can cause unnecessary worry. If it’s really bad, discuss it in person.
• Personal remarks and gossip it’s very easy to treat email like water cooler conversation, but these emails always have a tendency to get ‘Forwarded’.
• Angry responses it’s easy to fire off an angry response without thinking, but not always easy to retract it. Best to put a delay on your e-mail if possible, or wait a day before you respond if you’re really that upset.
• Bad language most people just don’t do it, but for the few who do – terrible idea, swearing has no place in work e-mails.
• Company or industry secrets this one may well get you sued as well as sacked.
• Racist/sexist language it’s best to avoid this in your everyday speech, as well as your work emails.
• Sloppy writing Even if it’s sent from your PDA phone and notebook while you’re at the beach, remembers that your image is on the line.