Disclaimers in emails

Some staff are being asked to use standardised disclaimers as 'signatures' (footers) to their emails. I've been asked, is that appropriate?

Unless the the language of the disclaimer goes beyond what might be reasonably expected, I don't see how the requirement offends against either the usually held workplace sensibilities or university culture.

I don't think this attention being paid to emails is either fussiness or simply the result of an increasingly litigious society.

At first emails only carried low-level, intra-organisational material. Then, quickly, email became the internal communication of choice. And now, after a brief hesitation, organisations routinely use emails to communicate on substantial matters with the "outside" world. I think it's this jump to the wider world that has management worried.

Most Universities don't have disclaimers in their paper communications, but emails seem to be different — they're so quickly done, so quickly sent. It's a worry.

Although I have my doubts about disclaimers, there's one in the sidebar of this weblog. And, I have a disclaimer of my own devising in my work emails:

"Your mileage may vary. I do my best, but advice
does not come with a guarantee."

There's no such thing as a fool-proof life. ▪

He respects Owl, because you can't help respecting anybody
who can spell TUESDAY, even if he doesn't spell it right.
—Rabbit (A.A. Milne 1882-1956)