When common sense leaves you high and dry, an HR policy has you covered.
One day, after a business luncheon, I returned to my office and discovered an email from an acquaintance titled, “You left your umbrella.”
Although it was an overcast day, it wasn’t raining, so I was surprised that I had left my umbrella at the function. However, upon opening the email at my desk, I was greeted by an extremely graphic photo that was NOT an umbrella. I don’t think (or hope) it originated from my business acquaintance.
I gasped loudly in shock, and a nearby co-worker promptly came over to check on me. She saw the email and responded, “Eileen, that’s what happens when you mix your day job with your night job.” We laughed it off, and then I promptly deleted the email and classified it as junk.
But what if, instead of deleting the email, I had:
- Clicked the links in the email to whatever site it was advertising?
- Forwarded it to a co-worker, who then sent it along to another co-worker?
- Printed the email and posted it on the wall of my office?
- Printed the email and “accidentally” left it on the printer?
- Turned the image into a screen saver on my employer-owned laptop?
That wouldn’t happen, you say?
If only common sense were common in the workforce, most of us would delete it and move on. But you may be surprised to learn that taking the above actions can rain down on you pretty hard.
If you need a sexual harassment policy, electronic communications policy, or more, consider contacting The HR Team to discuss the best approach to modern technology issues in the workplace.
-Eileen
