Certified Internet Web (CIW) Professional Practice Exam

What human resources issue may arise from forwarding a humorous email received from a co-worker?

1. Reducing the effectiveness of spam filters

2. Forgetting to include others who might find the joke funny

3. Offending a recipient who receives the joke as a result from further forwarding

4. Copyright infringement by not providing credit to the originator of the joke

The correct answer is: Offending a recipient who receives the joke as a result from further forwarding

Forwarding a humorous email from a co-worker can lead to potential issues within a professional environment, particularly concerning the feelings and perceptions of the recipients. The primary concern here is that humor is subjective; what one person finds funny, another may find offensive. When a joke is forwarded to multiple recipients, there is a risk that someone may be offended either by the content of the joke itself or the context in which it is shared. This can lead to discomfort among employees, create tension in workplace relationships, and can ultimately impact team dynamics and morale. Addressing the broader context of workplace communication, it is crucial for employees to be mindful of how humor can be perceived differently across diverse groups of people. Cultural differences, personal experiences, and workplace professionalism are all factors that can influence how humor is received. Therefore, while humor can strengthen bonds among colleagues, it must be approached with caution to avoid inadvertently offending someone, which underscores the importance of context and appropriateness in workplace communications.