Wake up to e-mail etiquette

Email is the default communication method in offices. Yet, many people unwittingly alienate colleagues and clients by being impatient, rash and presumptuous in their mails, writes Ailín Quinlan.

The next time you’re about to press ‘send’ on a shoot-from-the-hip email to a work colleague, think about this: “Emails are the catalyst for about 60% of the consultations I do with people who’re thinking of taking constructive dismissal or bullying or harassment cases,” says communications guru Terry Prone.

“A big firm has just commissioned us to improve their communications strategy, “says Prone. “One of the first things we’ll do is look at the style, proofreading and attention to detail manifest in every email, as well as the level of personal communication represented.”