I forwarded a funny, animated email to my colleague. When the cursor passed over Mona Lisa, her dress dropped to show her nipples. Then the dress popped back up. My colleague thought it was hysterical too, and sent it to her sister. She thought. She actually sent it to all 350 staff members in the company. Dumb.
Immediately, she realized her mistake. Then the replies started coming. "This is NOT funny." "Don't know why you sent this to me." Etc. Oops and dumb. Personal emails sent from work are considered company communications regardless of content. You expose yourself and your company to risk. Scary stuff.
And if she had just sent it to her sister? It's still on the company computer and is open to being read by an administrator. You could come under fire (or be fired) for a comment you make in email about your boss or the company. There is no privacy in company email. Period.
My colleague ran into my office and said, "We have to send out an apology email right away." And she explained what happened. She wanted ME to send out the apology. No, if an apology is in order, send it out right away, and from your own computer. Sheesh. Don't try to blame someone else. Apologize and move on. And LOOK at all the address in the send line before you hit send.
photos copyright Gwen's River City Images
