Chapter 07: Short Workplace Messages and Digital Media
Using text messaging on the job lowers productivity.
Employees using free consumer-grade instant messaging systems might reveal privileged information and
company records.
Texting is a relatively high-cost substitute for voice calls.
Text messaging is an indiscreet way of communicating.
31. What is the most accurate statement about liability and legal issues related to text messaging?
Because text messaging is so informal, messages sent or received cannot create legal liability for a company.
Companies cannot be held responsible if an employee gets into an accident while texting and driving on the
job.
Some organizations have instituted detailed digital-age e-policies, offer formal employee training, and use
technology tools such as monitoring, filtering, and blocking.
Spam is a concern only with e-mail, not with instant messaging.
32. Lindsay, a sales rep, has just learned that she will be allowed to text with her colleagues and clients during work
hours. What is the best advice you can give her to ensure that she is using this tool professionally?
Because texting is completely secure, use text messaging to send confidential or sensitive information instead
of sending this information via e-mail.
Don’t worry about using proper grammar or spelling; the whole point of sending text messages is to be fast.
Don’t text while driving a car on her sales calls.
Lindsay should do all of these.
33. Justin would like to use text messaging on the job to communicate one-on-one with his customers. What should Justin
do first?
Contact his customers to let them know he will begin using text messaging to communicate with them.
Ask his supervisor for permission to use text messaging.
Download software that will allow him to send and receive text messages on his smartphone.
Attach a professional photo to his text message account so that his customers will be able to see what he looks
like.
34. What is the most accurate statement about instant messaging and texting on the job?
Maintain one contact list for both professional and personal contacts to simplify things.
To use instant messaging and texting most efficiently on the job, make yourself available at all times during
working hours.
Use ample jargon, slang, and abbreviations to make your instant messages and text messages as short as
possible.
Because instant messages and text messages can be saved, don’t say anything that could damage your
reputation or that of your organization.
35. Lorie will be communicating with her new colleagues using text messages and wants to make sure that she is