Any "Legal Eagles" (or Beagles!) in the house?

[The Moan Ranger]

We have just received an e-mail stating that if we open an e-mail containing a joke that MAY be offensive to others, then we must report it, or potentially face disciplinary action.

So opening an e-mail, content unknown at the point of opening, could land you in hot water unless you go bleating to internal audit.

Is this legal?

[Nick]

That's mad. It cannot be complied with. How do you know the content of an e mail before you open it?

Sorry, I misread that a bit, even so, who do you report it to? It seems bizarre. What's the background?

[Snoopy]

Probably ~ He who owns the hardware and pays for your time has a right to dictate how you may use it.
This argument was on the Today Programme (Radio Four) this morning. Even the union guys were saying that the company has a right to say thou shalt not use our hardware, in our time, in anyway we do not approve of. They (The Unions) went onto argue that what you did in your breaks should be up to you but had to concede that during breaks the employer could say "Turn your PCs off"

[The Moan Ranger]

Agreed. The point is, basically, they want us to "grass" - you will have no action against you if you report a joke that MAY offend someone.

So no more Englishman/Irishman/Scotsman/Welshman jokes anymore. Or any joke ever, come to think if it. We can't even decry the Scousers now! The world has gone mad!

[Darwins Selection]

The flaw in this, is that it puts the onus on you to decide what 'may' be offensive.

As the law has demonstrated that it is unable to make that distinction on many occasions, why should young TMR be able to do so?

If your wife were coloured, and you had no problems calling her and all her family 'nigger' to their faces, why would you think a 'nigger' joke in an e-mail was offensive?

If they can't be precise about what they mean, then your subjective judgement is worthless.

You could go the other way and bombard them with every e-mail you ever get, on the grounds that it may be offensive to someone, although you don't know who.

[The Moan Ranger]

Thank you DS. My sentiments entirely. "Proud to be different" Ha!

[Misunderstood]

Thank you DS. My sentiments entirely. "Proud to be different" Ha!

At the, not inconsiderable, risk of retribution; I must concur with DS.

If they can define 'possible offence' then you should comply:  If they cannot define it, then you cannot be liable for, what would only amount to, a potential difference of opinion.