Need for Email Use Policy All Too Obvious

by Elin Watkins on November 17, 2016
Elin Watkins

Elin Watkins

The recent case of two young lovers whose amorous emails to each other were mistakenly copied to the wider world emphasises all too clearly why firms need an email, internet and social media use policy for all members of staff. It’s easy to laugh at what happened but employers should bear in mind the possible ramifications.

In the case in question a young lady in Aberdeen, Melanie, emailed her boyfriend Eric whilst at work. He also worked for the same firm, and responded using the firm’s email. Their emails commented on how much and how often they enjoyed their lovemaking. Unfortunately, the young lady inadvertently attached the series of emails to another email to a fellow employee, and the whole exchange “went viral” as they say – much to everyone’s embarrassment. Although the young couple’s employers took a fairly relaxed attitude to the sorry affair and did not intend to discipline either of them, the couple subsequently resigned.

Elin Watkins, a trainee solicitor in the Employment Department at Kidd Rapinet’s Slough office comments: “You only have to imagine if the exchanges had been very much more explicit, or even were accompanied by graphic images to begin to see why employers need a policy to be in place, both to educate and to deter.”

If you feel you would like to know more, call Elin Watkins at Kidd Rapinet on 01753 532541 for further information.

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