December 1999 Volume 80 Number 12
"serving the protectors"
| December 1999 Volume 80 Number 12 "serving the protectors" |
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Straight to the Point |
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| By
Trevor Haskell PASA Executive
Committee Member |
It is a bit of a joke to some that at Welfare Branch we don't have access to e-mail. However, at the risk of being labelled a troglodyte, I'd suggest we haven't really lost much. I'm currently recovering after a knee operation and must admit I have scanned my Internet and e-mail more than I usually would. I have also listened to more radio and my ears pricked up when a guest talked about e-mail etiquette. It seems there are increasing office tensions around the way workplaces use e-mail and the cost to companies from misuse.
I was interested because, in the past month, I'd dealt with four cases where part of the complaints were about the use of e-mail by managers or supervisors.
The most commonly reported problems were identified as:
- Time-wasting.
- Over-use.
- Time loss.
- Harassment.
- Misdirection.
- Jokes.
- Avoidance of direct interaction.
Time-wasting was the actual time people sat writing e-mails that were of little or no significance. Some people were spending more time creating meaningless e-mails simply because they could. It may be in attempt to show they know how to use it. This behaviour obviously led to over-use of the system and then further time-wasting by the recipients who apparently often feel the need to check e-mails overrides all other priorities.
E-mail is just another way that bullies can create pain for others. The system can create greater capacity to denigrate and deride at a distance. The usual scenario involves use of another persons e-mail code so as to avoid detection and thus undermines individuals and corrupts the actual system. Cost of investigation into such matters can be quite high.
Misdirection is self-evident. E-mails get sent to the wrong place or person and things that should happen don't. Apparently the frequency of typos is much higher than the old facsimile messages where all you needed was a phone number.
The use of e-mail for sending jokes is apparently one of the great breakthroughs of this century. The same bad jokes go through one company and then to the next. This is the reason many people have stopped telling jokes in public: everyone knows them from the e-mail. Things are looking grim for budding comedians.
People are reportedly e-mailing the person sitting three metres from them or in the next room. By use of e-mail, people are avoiding having to deal face-to-face or even over the phone.
I have heard of, and seen direct evidence of all these misuses of e-mail. The worst abuses are people finding out they are transferred or had workplace changes by e-mail when the manager was only a few metres away. Use of e-mail for bullying, creation of racial or other harassment through jokes or demeaning messages may create problems.
Are there rules for e-mail use? Apparently it comes down to stopping and thinking. What is the purpose of e-mail? Is it something that might be better done personally or by phone? How sensitive or important is the message? What am I trying to achieve by sending it?
Business use differs from private use. Don't send just because you can, or want to create a chat-line connection. Management by e-mail is not a good interpersonal process and creates anxieties and angst. Clear your e-mails.
I wonder whether there will be a code of e-mail conduct for SAPOL. It might well be necessary.
There are times when I think it would be good to have an e-mail link at work. Then I think about the number of contacts that I have in a week either face-to-face or on the phone and realize these are great opportunities for personal interaction. E-mail may be a convenient work tool and have the potential to create great communication changes. I hope to stay with the direct approach. I like the interaction.
The delegates to the Police Association annual conference endorsed the concept of a PASA Equity Policy and Procedures. I hope the policy will soon be in place. It aims to establish that fair treatment within the workplace should be provided to all.
The policy covers interaction between staff and members in any capacity at the workplace.
Resolution procedures are focused on mediation. The role of elected officials is clarified and only trained officials will be endorsed to have a role in resolution proceedings.
Members seeking a copy should contact PASA.
I pray that Christmas is a time of peace and goodwill for you and those you love. I hope that you are all bored to tears over the Christmas-New Year period and move into the new year safe and well.
Policing is a special craft. There is a uniqueness to the occupation, and for many it is a lifetime calling. I hope it can provide positives for you into the future.
Peace.
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