A semi interesting story from El Reg caught my eye this afternoon – a Woman working in New Zealand was fired for typing emails in all caps and using a red font.

She was later found to have been the victim of unfair dismissal (and given that no warnings were issued I personally agree with the findings of the tribunal) but leaving aside the finer specifics of the story I have to agree with the sentiment.

To anyone who is even remotely computer literate, capitalised email is shouting and when used generally demonstrates a complete lack of understanding of the semantics of the written word online.

To highlight upper case text in bright red (which has been well documented as having negative sub conscious connections to anger ) is really pushing your luck – even if you’re writing the nicest email you’ll ever send the initial reaction to your formatted text will be one of annoyance.

To use both upper case and red text in an email which is intended to instruct or complain about something your colleagues are doing (or failing to do) is just plain stupid. It’s the electronic equivalent of walking over to someone’s desk and screaming your complaint in their face.

There is a lesson here for all of us – consider the tone of your email and consider whether that tone would be appropriate applied to face to face communication. Would you scream your words at someone in real life? No? Then please don’t do it via email or you’re bound to find your self in a whole heap of trouble.