NSFW = Not Safe For Work?

Some feel that an acronym noting “Not Safe For Work” is necessary when sending emails to those they know are at work. Using this acronym can warn the recipient that the content or links contained within are questionable and not proper for the work environment.

Inappropriate is Inappropriate

The reality is there should be no need for such an acronym. But, on the other hand, typing this acronym should tell any rational thinking person all they need to know.

They should have enough common sense and respect to not send emails with questionable content to someone’s work email. This includes using a business email address to send “NSFW” emails!

Being the recipient has no choice as to what may be sent to them at any given time, it is up to the sender to make this judgment call. Why would you jeopardize a contact’s work reputation by sending them an inappropriate email for the workplace?

Shouldn’t we use some discretion instead of labeling something with an acronym? Adding an acronym does not relieve you of the responsibility for your actions.

How about when wondering if an email is appropriate for the work environment you send to a personal address instead? Or, if you don’t have a personal address, you ask the recipient what their personal address is?

On the Receiving End…

If you have folks sending you emails that include this acronym here’s what you do. You be the responsible employee and make it clear to the sender to no longer use your business email address for anything not business-related.

Business networks archive all emails that go in and out. Therefore, you cannot allow an outside party to put your reputation in peril, whether it be a friend or family member.

You do not know what emails are being reviewed or looked at. Nor can you expect privacy when on company time using a company email address on the company’s network.

At that time, you can also provide your personal email address for any emails of that nature. Don’t have a personal address? Get one — there are several choices: Gmail, Hotmail, Yahoo!. Better yet, get your yourname.com and setup your own na**@yo******.com just to be used for your out of work communications.

Funny how we spend so much time creating ways to justify things we know we shouldn’t be doing in the first place! How about this? If you are using company email for anything other than company business you should include this acronym: IUE (Irresponsible Unprofessional Employee).

Simple.