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Category: Media

Did I say that? Think before you hit send

With hybrid work environments becoming the rule, not the exception, it’s time for a reminder about what’s appropriate to put in writing. The informality of email and digital channels permits communications to be fast, funny, and even sarcastic. Most of us would never take this approach in a formal letter or document.

Content shared via email, texts, or through team collaboration channels like Slack, Microsoft Teams, or Google Chat, can become problematic in litigation, particularly if it involves an employment situation. There are countless stories of people who thought their business emails were private. They’re not. They may be discoverable if relevant in a lawsuit.

Here are five tips to ensure a quick and “harmless” message doesn’t become a future problem. 

1. Choose the correct channel. Would a call or an in-person meeting be better? Emails can be forwarded to individuals they were never intended for and anyone with a smartphone can take a screenshot.

2. Watch your tone. Email is eternal. Business communications should be appropriate, safe for work, and inoffensive. Don’t write anything that you’d be uncomfortable with others reading. Including your grandmother.

3. Is it clear? Read it over. Could anything be misconstrued or taken out of context? If you enter litigation, your intent will be analyzed closely by the other side.

4. Don’t begin or continue an argument. If someone shares incorrect information, it’s OK to clarify and provide the facts, but don’t debate or argue through email. 

5. Avoid irony, sarcasm, and exaggeration. A message dashed off in a hurry often falls into this category. So does humor. But these are exactly the communications that can be problematic if a lawsuit occurs.

The office setting may have changed, but the risk has not.  It’s even more important now to raise awareness about appropriate workplace communications so everyone understands what’s at stake.

How to Prep for Your Media Interview

You’ve been called by the press for an interview.  You’re a subject matter specialist and the thought of a mistake unnerves you.  How can you deliver a result that makes you proud?

There’s always an advantage to getting your message out through the press. Preparation is the key to any successful interview.  Use these secrets from public relations pros to help you achieve the results you seek.

  1. Stay focused on your message. Rough out some bullets before you return a call.  What is the main point you want to address? Prepare for anything that may be negative or controversial.
  2. Be concise.  Use plain language. Reporters will purposely pause to get you to say more, so don’t just talk to fill space. Don’t make “off the record” comments or saying “no comment.”
  3. Be memorable.  Use statistics, comparisons, examples and anecdotes to make your points.
  4. Correct misstatements.  The reporter will not know the information as well as you.  If they make a misstatement, correct it quickly.  Do not repeat an inaccuracy but clarify and accentuate the positive.
  5. Remember that you are in control.  Just because a question is asked, you’re not required to give an answer.  If it’s something you can’t or don’t want to discuss, change the conversation.  If you don’t know the answer, say so.  Ask the interviewer if you can get back to them later with accurate information.