The Employer’s Legal Advisor

E-Mail and Electronic Transmissions

Always be aware of the permanency of e-mail, instant messages, and other electronic transmissions. Do not think for one moment that your message has been wiped off the face of the earth just because you click on “delete.” Many a case has hinged on a vital electronic transmission that someone thought had been permanently deleted but that was found.

Also, when e-mailing and instant messaging, people sometimes tend to be too informal and use jargon not familiar to those outside the business. You should treat e-mail with as much formality and detail as you would a letter, business report, reprimand, or any other important document. Indeed, what applies to e-mail applies to all written transmissions. Your writing ...