Dallas Employment Law Firm Explains Corporate E-mail Etiquette

2008-04-30 21:10:12 (GMT) (WiredPRNews.com - Business)

Dallas, Texas (WiredPRNews.com) — Electronic mail can be a lifesaver for busy employees; it can also be a noose. Employers must ensure that employees follow guidelines to avoid problems that may arise if e-mails later become discoverable in litigation.

The informal nature of e-mail communications leads many employees to say things via e-mail that the employees would never say in person or in a written memorandum. For example, employees may recite offensive jokes or make rude comments about other employees. Of even greater concern are the e-mails that begin, “You didn’t hear this from me…” or “This is off the record….” Not only does the e-mail then become a record, but because of the incriminating introduction, a jury might believe the accuracy of the e-mail, even if the e-mail does not accurately reflect the truth or provide the full story.

Employers should develop policies to address e-mail etiquette. More importantly, employers should caution employees to always verify a communication’s recipients and to thoughtfully consider an e-mail’s text to ensure accuracy.—If an employee has any doubt regarding whether he can clearly convey a message electronically, the employee should arrange for an in-person meeting. Simply put, perhaps the best recommendation employers can give employees is not to say anything in an e-mail that the employee would not want to see displayed on a giant screen in a courtroom.

Dallas employment Lawyers of Clouse Dunn Khoshbin are available to help employers develop policies to address these issues. For more information, visit http://www.cdklaywers.com or contact leading Employment attorneys:

KEITH A. CLOUSE
Partner
Clouse Dunn Khoshbin LLP
214.220.2722 (direct phone)

R. ROGGE DUNN
Partner
CLOUSE DUNN KHOSHBIN LLP
214.220.0077 (direct)