Here are the 5 trouble areas the experts have identified:
- Negative comments
Bad news seems to travel faster than good news. When a person makes a negative comment about an employee, a person or a situation, you know the comments are going to be shared. A person may think it will not happen, but nine times out of ten, the negative email gets shared. Negative comments should only be done in-person and shared with the offending person face-to-face. - Suggestive jokes, comments or thoughts
Regardless of whether or not a person thinks the jokes or comments are meant in fun and not to be taken seriously, somebody will take it seriously and be offended. The #Me Too movement reminds us that all comments are subject to interpretations, and it is easier not to make or share jokes, rather than have to worry about what another person may think is funny. Don’t forward suggestive jokes or comments. You may not be the originator of the joke, but you become complicit by forwarding the comments. - Gossip
Every workplace has its gossip vine. Gossip is destructive and counterproductive to the success of a business or organization. There is a lot of time wasted on gossip, and it is unprofessional to become engaged in spreading it. Don’t even think about putting gossip into writing, because there are legal ramifications for businesses and plenty evidence of how gossip can damage personal reputations. IP addresses are traceable and thinking people can write things anonymously is “fake” courage and foolish. - Confidential information
Like gossip, sharing confidential information has legal ramifications and can be costly for a business or organization that allows confidential information to be shared. Sharing confidential information can also destroy an individual’s personal life and/or career. - Personal information
How much you drank over the three-day holiday, the new job you are looking for, and what you are doing next weekend for entertainment are all examples of sharing personal information in texts or emails. These are big No-Nos. Remember, too much information shared takes the mystery out of who you are and what you do when you are not at work.
When it comes to avoiding problems in emails, texts or writing, just remember less is better. A little discernment and “no quick” responses go a long way towards staying out of trouble.