The dos and don'ts of using email
Learning Objectives
After considering this resource, you should understand how to use email effectively and the pitfalls to avoid.
Using email is a major facet of communication in social work, and checking your inbox is likely to be the first task of the day on your placements. Like sending a letter, an email is still considered to be a formal piece of communication and as such, there are guidelines you need to consider before pressing 'send'.
In this quick guide, Ruben Martin offers a series of dos and don'ts when communicating by email.
Reflective Questions
- What sort of 'email person' are you? (For example: constantly checking emails at work and/or at home and replying immediately; having email facility available on your mobile phone or Blackberry; enjoying informal email 'chats'; forwarding and receiving email jokes, pictures and messages).
- Will how you tend to regard emails (the 'email person' you are) help or hinder your use of them as a professional social worker? What adjustments, if any, will you have to make?
- How capable and competent are you with any form of official written communication (letters, records, reports, emails)? Are there aspects that you should learn and improve?
- To what extent and in what instances do you see professional social work values (e.g. not discriminating; being non-judgmental; accepting difference; respecting service users, colleagues and other professionals) underpinning email communication?