Some observers believe that the Internet has been a great democratizer because it has made great volumes of information available to everyone who has access to a computer and modem. People who have never left their hometowns can take virtual tours of the Louvre or travel anywhere in the world by using Google Earth. But the world is made up of two kinds of people: those who know how to use the Internet with elan and those who don’t.
Be sure to keep these rules in mind:
- First and foremost, a business Internet account is for business. Even if everyone else seems to be doing it, resist the temptation to shop for shoes online during that interminable conference call. Some companies may allow you to use your Internet account for personal use during breaks or lunch hours, but ask first.
- Unless your job description requires you to participate in company blogs and online chatting, you shouldn’t be doing these activities on company time. If your job requires that you manage or respond to blogs and chat rooms, make sure you use the appropriate etiquette. Most blogs and chat rooms have rules and guidelines, so follow them! A few general tips: Use the spell-checker, be accurate and honest, and stay on topic.
- Be aware that many employers monitor employee Internet use. Find out whether your company has an official policy on Internet use, and be sure to follow it carefully. Wouldn’t it be embarrassing to explain that you were fired because you were updating your MySpace page or writing comments in an inappropriate blog on company time?
- If it’s necessary in your job to navigate the Internet or intranet sites at work, it’s important to remember that your communication is coming from your work e-mail address. You’re bound to run into problems with obsolete links, error messages, or outdated information. Some sites solicit your information via Contact Us or Feedback links. Your feedback is important, but remember that a real person will read your e-mail. Send feedback such as “As a frequent user of your site, I find this problem frustrating” rather than slacker-like feedback such as “Your site is lame, and your company blows!” The ruder and less rational your feedback is, the more likely the Webmaster will be to dismiss it as the raving of a lunatic shut-in.
- You have no excuse for viewing adult Web sites at the office, even if you do so after hours, when you’re the only person around. Despite the uproar about children discovering inappropriate Web content, happening upon dirty pictures by accident isn’t easy. And with the current legal climate around sexual harassment in the workplace, most employers have a zero-tolerance policy for this kind of behavior.
- Some Internet service providers have rules and policies about online behavior. If you’re at work and discover anything online that is inappropriate, that makes you feel uncomfortable, or that you believe is harassment, contact your company’s IT department or the company’s Internet service provider immediately.
TIP: Take the time to understand online lingo. Many Web sites list internet terms and acronyms. Knowing some of the key vocabulary will not only help you communicate clearly, but also show that you are a savvy Internet user. For the lowdown on Internet vocabulary, check out The Internet For Dummies, 11th Edition, by John R. Levine, Margaret Levine Young, and Carol Baroudi (Wiley).
– excerpt taken from Business Etiquette for Dummies, your guide to acting appropriately across the globe