Explanation should include the definition of netiquette and commonly accepted rules, such as
- treating the receiver pleasantly and courteously, as if communicating face to face
- respecting the recipient’s time by being brief
- using correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation
- avoiding the use of all-capital letters to emphasize a word or phrase
- avoiding infringement of copyright law
- respecting the recipient’s privacy rights.
Explanation should also include reasons that email etiquette is important in professional communications:
- Email serves as a permanent, written record of what was communicated between the sender and receiver.
- Email may document the dates and times requests, problems, or actions occurred.
- Email on any company network may be viewed by authorized personnel within the company at any given time, with or without notice, before, during, or after employment.
Explanation should also include the importance of
- knowing when to email, when to text, when to call, and when to address in person
- realizing that the message and tone can be misinterpreted in an email or text message.
Process/Skill Questions:
- How might etiquette rules vary depending on whether electronic communication is for professional or personal purposes?
- What potential legal issues might result from inappropriate use of company email?
- Why are e-mails considered the property of a business?
- How does one determine the recipients of an email reply?
- How can punctuation affect the tone of an email?
- What is assumed about the tone of an email when all capital letters are used?
- How can personal social media posts affect an employee professionally?
- What guidelines should be followed when determining whether an email is appropriate in a professional environment?