What you should never I’m within the Company
Instant messages feel like a conversation. A message pops up on the screen, you type a response, and things move on from there. It's easy to forget that you aren't speaking face to face, and this can cause problems for the unwary.
Electronic communications always leave a trail. When you use your employer's network to communicate, you have no presumption of privacy.
For example:-your messages could remain on the corporate server and be found during an audit.-someone could be standing behind the person you IM, and read the message.-the person you IM may not be as discreet as you expect.
This means you need to be cautious in your use of IM's. A good rule of thumb is to never use an IM system for something you wouldn't want to shout across a crowded room. If you IM friends using your employer's network, make sure they understand that anything they send you must be safe for work. And as for using an employer's network to IM against company policy - don't!
Some of the messages you send or receive may be confidential. Collaborating on a project may call for frequent communication that shouldn't go outside the team. Things discussed in IM or email may have legal consequences, or may involve plans that not everyone in your department should know about. Think about whether or not you would say something in an open meeting, and if not, make sure you send that IM only to someone whose judgment you trust.
Here are a few things to avoid:
- Personal problems
Complaining about your life might make you feel better, but it can give your boss two reasons to worry. First, you're being indiscreet. If you discuss your private business carelessly, how confidential is your company's information? Second, it gives the impression that you can't handle things. If daily life is so hard, you probably don't need to be promoted to a job with more responsibilities.
- Courtship, flirtation, and stalking
The new guy in Marketing might be really hot, but sending him suggestive IM's is not a good idea. First, he's likely to think there's something wrong with you if you need to hit on people electronically. Second, you could end up facing a sexual harassment complaint. Imagine trying to explain that when you search for your next job.
- Work-related gripes
Grousing about your low pay, heavy workload, what a jerk your boss is or how stupid the company is should be saved for after hours. In fact, it should never be done with coworkers at all. Save it for your best friend who works in a different industry, in a different city. Or tell your cat.
- Politics
No matter how you approach this subject, it's likely to came back to bite you. The only exception is if the political matter being discussed actually effects the company, and you have a job that relates to this.
- Religion
Just don't.
- Illegal activities
Remember the bit about no presumption of privacy? IM evidence has been used in some cases to send people to prison.
- Your home business
Keep your side business separate from your 9-to-5 job, unless you'd like the chance to work at that business full time.
- Obscenity
Again, would you tell that joke in a meeting, or shout it across a restaurant? If not, then keep it off the company's network.
Computers are central to our lives these days. It is important to remember that there's a big difference between a computer that you own, and a computer that someone else owns. When it's your computer, you're the boss. When it's the boss's computer
Keep it professional, keep it clean - and keep your job.
