What happens in your inbox doesn't always stay there.

In fact, one stupid email from your work account can have serious real-world consequences.

"Email can be a wonderfully efficient time-saving tool - if used properly," Michael Kerr , an international business speaker and author of " The Humor Advantage " told Business Insider.

"Unfortunately, survey after survey reveals that email has also become the bane of many a workplace, often cited as one of the top sources of workplace stress, both because of the sheer volume of email and because how people misuse email. So as a general rule of thumb, before you hit the send button always ask yourself if this is a message that you need to send, period, and if this is a message that would be better delivered in person or over the phone."

Don't let your email habits land you in hot water. Make sure to avoid sending these materials over your work account, point blank:

1.Excessively large videos or photos

Yes, that cat video you shot last weekend is hilarious, but most of your colleagues will not appreciate an email than takes ten minutes to download and open," Kerr said.

2.Chain letters

You're not a tween living in the early 2000s. You shouldn't be sending chain emails in general — especially not over your work email.
"You know the ones — those goofy chain letter requests you receive from cousin Ralph on your home computer telling you to forward this email on to 14 more people so good luck will fall your way," Kerr said. "They are annoying and unprofessional in a work context."

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