Inappropriate emails have led to 5% of UK employees being fired or reprimanded by their employers, according to a new survey.
Since the early 1990’s internet boom, emails have changed the face of business and are now a daily activity for almost the entirety of the UK’s workforce.
Yet, despite being regularly used, one in five employees admit to sending an inappropriate email in the heat of the moment, while 31% admit they have hit “reply all” by accident several times.
The survey, commissioned on behalf of Terry Pratchet’s adaptation of the famous novel Going Postal, found that 13% of employees have mistakenly sent an insulting email to a colleague by accident, usually resulting in severe consequences.
Out of the 2,000 people surveyed, men were more likely to make an email gaffe than their female counterparts, with 28% admitting to blunders, compared to 17% of women, and nearly 50% of staff claim they no longer use traditional letters as correspondence, meaning faux pas could increase.
Philip Richardson, employment solicitor at Stephensons Solicitors LLP, said: “With the country still undergoing a period of economic strife, keeping a job and the regular pay cheques which follow has become more important than ever.
“To avoid losing the security that comes with employment, make sure your double-check recipients and email content before hovering your mouse over the send button.”
Stephensons’ employment law team can assist with the full spectrum of claims for both employees and employers. For more information call 01616 966 229 or visit www.stephensons.co.uk.
ENDS
Notes to editors
The latest edition of Legal 500 ranks Stephensons as a top 60 UK law firm and the fifth largest legal practice in the North West. The firm has 29 partners and around 350 staff in Manchester, Wigan, Bolton, Leigh and St Helens. For more information, visit www.stephensons.co.uk.
Media information: Lianne Tracey
Stephensons Solicitors LLP
T: 01616 966 229