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ACCA Applied Knowledge · Business and Technology · Communicating in business

Sofia, a manager, sends an email to all 400 employees to announce a sensitive restructuring that will affect 15 of them with redundancy. Which problem with using email in this way is MOST relevant?

The most relevant problem is that a mass email may be misinterpreted, reaches an unsuitable audience and lacks personal sensitivity. Email can be stored and is written, so those are not weaknesses. Sensitive redundancy news is better delivered face to face.

  1. AEmail cannot be stored for later reference
  2. BEmail gives no opportunity for the sender to use a written message
  3. CThe message may be misinterpreted, sent to the wrong audience and lacks personal sensitivityCorrect

Explanation

Email is a written, storable medium, so the first two options describe features it does have. For sensitive news affecting a few people, a mass email lacks tone and empathy, risks misreading and reaches people who need not see the detail. A face-to-face meeting would suit better.

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