Inappropriate E-Mails

Stories, such as this one, about people who get fired for sending abusive or inappropriate e-mails at work are common.

Warnings are issued in training sessions and via memos and policies, but some people just don't get it.

So why does the problem still continue with other than a small band of jerks? Perhaps e-mail is so rushed, easy, and like a video game that people don't take it seriously. I've recommended to clients that they should consider having a screen where the employee has to acknowledge the company's e-mail policy before logging on, but that doesn't address the fact that people will hit "send" without thinking.

So how about this? Before the e-mail can be sent, a simple message pops up asking:

• Does your message have the appropriate, professional tone?
• Have you proofread your message?
• Does the message contain or convey any inappropriate material?
• Is there anything in the message that you would be reluctant to show to Human Resources or the Law Department?

It wouldn't be perfect, but it would head off some problems.