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The end of the year
is the time to reflect and plan ahead.
This final eNews for 2002 discusses email, its positives
and negatives. It’s our challenge and opportunity
to maximize the positives as we adapt in this rapidly
changing world. eNews is intended to help.
Your comments, insights and suggested topics are
welcomed.
Best wishes for 2003!
Jean Sifleet
Email - Rules of the Road
New ebooklet provides practical guidance about email use.
"Email Use at Work - Rules of the Road," co-authored by Susan Joyce,
Mary Casey and Jean Sifleet (SMJ Enterprises), is now available online
for $39.95.
Go to http://www.digibuy.com/cgi-bin/order.html?smartfast+103702055334
Email is fast and efficient. Used well, email is a powerful tool. Used
inappropriately, email wastes resources and exposes you to legal risks.
Email as Evidence.
Email is a permanent, public record and once sent, is nearly impossible
to completely eradicate. Email has been compelling evidence in highly
visible court cases. Some of these cases involve jokes distributed and
forwarded on the Internet, pornography sent to other employees and racial
or sexual discrimination.
Email use is pervasive in business.
According to the American Management Association:
"130 million U.S. workers send 2.8 billion email messages a day;
"50% of employees report receiving racist, sexist, pornographic or
otherwise inappropriate email at work; and
"27% of Fortune 500 companies have defended themselves against claims
of sexual harassment stemming from inappropriate email and/or Internet
use."
Practical Guidelines.
Email has now become a key means of communication within companies
and with customers and suppliers.
Take steps to reduce risk.
> First Step - Establish a policy
> Second Step - Communicate the policy
> Third Step - Enforce the policy
> Fourth Step - Update the policy
In conclusion, the old adage that an ounce of prevention is worth thousands
of pounds (dollars) of cure applies to email. Establishing guidelines
for email use in business is a good investment in strategic resources
(people and infrastructure).
Jean D. Sifleet
Attorney & CPA
120 South Meadow Road
Clinton, MA 01510
t. 978-368-6104
f. 978-368-6105
jean@smartfast.com
www.smartfast.com
P.S. Need a speaker? The authors Susan Joyce (web master), Mary Casey
(attorney) and myself are available for seminars and consulting on
how to use email effectively in business and reduce legal risks.
Just give me a call for more information.
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Jean Sifleet, business attorney, CPA and three-time entrepreneur, is pleased to announce the release of her new book, Advantage “IP”: Profit from Your Great Ideas. Visit the Smartfast Bookstore for details, and to order the book. |
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