A Note About the Real-Life E-Disaster Stories in This Book

Because of the relatively recent entry of instant messaging into the workplace, we don’t yet have many headline-making real-life IM disaster stories or workplace lawsuits that have been triggered by an incriminating instant message. Given the rapid growth of corporate IM use, however, there is sure to be no shortage of such fiascoes in the near future.

For now, this book will draw on both e-mail and IM disaster stories. Culled from America’s courtrooms and newsrooms, these humorous and instructional e-disasters help bring to life the potentially costly risks inherent in workplace e-communications—and what those risks may mean to business as IM assumes a more prominent role in the technology mix.

As growing numbers of corporations begin to suffer through inevitable and potentially costly litigation triggered by employee IM use, and as corporate IM blunders start to generate embarrassing media coverage, CEOs, CIOs, lawyers, and compliance officers will start to look for tools to help reduce IM risks—and perhaps even prevent a few disasters.