Personal Emails at Work

August 12th, 2008 at 08:43am Anne Walloch

In today’s fast paced technological world, many office workers shoot off personal emails from their work email account without giving it a second thought. According to a MSNBC survey, 15 percent of workers “constantly” send or receive personal email using their work account. 30 percent responded “very often” and 45 percent of workers said “sometimes or occasionally.”  10 percent responded that they never have used their work email for personal uses.  

Here are some things to think about before you email your spouse or friend: 

The email does not actually belong to you.  While it might have your name or signature, many companies have electronic policies that state that email sent and received is company property.  

Your company might be monitoring your email. Also stated in some electronic policies, employers have a right to monitor your computer usage. This includes email and Internet use.  

While it might be convenient, the risk of getting in trouble is not worth it. Be clear on your employer’s policy and abide by their rules!   

Tell us what you think! Do you use your work account to send personal emails?

Entry Filed under: Surveys