How NOT to ABUSE work e-mail...

Many employees (government servants especially)  seem to use the free workmail provided to them  as a way to fight with each other or their bosses. They seem to forget the etiquette of formal e-mail writing and end up offending others. Work etiquettes are not taught in school, hence it is learned through weeks, months or even years of experience. But sometimes, as employees evolve to seniority, they tend to forget their manners in writing e-mails to bosses or colleagues and end up (intentionally or not) offending people.

Remember, everything linked to internet is permanent. Once you post that hate mail, there is no turning back.

Here are some rules to use workmail respectfully:

1. Re-look, re-read your e-mail again and again before pressing that SEND button. Correct typos and replace casual words with formals especially writing to higher ranking colleagues.

2. Check if you want to "REPLY TO ALL" or not. You don't want your desk neighbourhood clique gossip to reach everyone in the institute.

3. Keep e-mails short. You don't need a 300 word introduction to "...there's a meeting tomorrow."

4. Write CLEAR and PERFECT subject lines.

5. Don't forward hoaxes. Keep your political lies in Facebook or your personal blogs.

6. Let people know their e-mail has been received. Yes all you need to say is "thanks, i will take action ASAP." Don't leave em hanging and wondering if you read their mails. (Of course everyone loves the "oh sorry I didn't receive your e-mail" excuse).

7.  ONE subject per e-mail. Seriously!

8. Read your e-mail as the receiving end, see if they could be offended. Do NOT write an e-mail when you are stressed or angry. You will regret it.

9. DO NOT respond to provocations. People will bring up some hot offensive issues from time to time. Even if it bugs you, never respond.

10. Keep your class. Only use e-mail for work issues. Funny stuff belongs to facebook.

Those are the basics...! Have fun working and stuff...!