If it was initiated or passed on by our employee, and if it then went outside our organisation, it would be badged as being from KPMG, and that's exposing us to risk. But now, KPMG deals with such incidents at the rate of about two a month - a far higher level than before. Originally you might have got jokes, but now you tend to get visual messages - even animations. She adds, though, that standards of acceptable behaviour are stricter for those who work on the shop floor than for those in offices. While it may be acceptable to crack an inoffensive joke to a colleague at the next desk, giggling with a workmate while customers wait unattended is considered the worst possible level of service.
Some firms still take a more relaxed attitude.
Jason Fisher, UK managing director of eCircle, a company that runs email operations, says he could hardly afford the time to monitor the communications of its 100 or so employees. Even if we wanted to be rather fascist about it, we don't have the resources. The guys in the office sometimes forward a couple of jokes, but it's never been an issue for me. As long as they're doing their jobs, it's fine - you have to trust people. Diane Sinclair, employee relations adviser with the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, says it is important for all companies to make sure that their workers understand what is acceptable and what is not.