Certified Internet Web (CIW) Professional Practice Exam

What is a valid reason to discuss a personal family matter by phone instead of email?

1. Because your employer has the right to read your e-mail

2. Because netiquette guidelines prohibit personal emails

3. Because it is illegal to use company e-mail for personal matters

4. Because email lacks the personal touch required

The correct answer is: Because your employer has the right to read your e-mail

The most valid reason to discuss a personal family matter by phone instead of email is the concern about privacy and the potential for your employer to access and read your emails. In many workplaces, email communication is monitored, and employees might not have a right to confidentiality for personal matters sent via company email systems. Discussing sensitive issues over the phone allows you to maintain a degree of privacy that email communication may not provide. Other options present important considerations, but they do not capture the essence of privacy as clearly. While netiquette guidelines can encourage professional communication, they are not necessarily prohibitive of personal emails altogether. The legality and appropriateness of using company email for personal matters vary by company policy, but this doesn't universally apply to all businesses. Although email can lack a personal touch compared to a phone call, this factor alone does not justify avoiding email for personal discussions; instead, the primary concern is ensuring confidentiality regarding personal family issues.