Use Your Email 'Draft' Folder
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It is better to write nothing than to be wrong.
As I started to post my blog today (at deadline), I checked a source and found an error.
This reminded me why I usually hold blog drafts a week before final edits. Quick work is often inaccurate.
Electronic media encourages hasty writing. Employer/employee communication may incorrectly reflect terms. Buyer/seller communication may misstate conditions. When one party fires off an email agreeing to an untenable term, that email is later labeled “Plaintiff’s Exhibit 1.”
If you are not positive that your words will help the situation (and reflect the truth), write nothing.
It is acceptable to write “I need to reflect on this matter. I will respond soon.”
Christine,
This is an excellent post. With electronic communication, lawyers and business people should consider and edit an email as if it is being written on letterhead of the firm or company. I believe people edit and take greater care in writing if it is going to appear on letterhead. The feeling that we need to respond "immediately" in our electronic age often leads to issues. You are right on with this post!
Posted by: Rush Nigut | November 10, 2010 at 12:26 PM