Good Morning Gordy.  I'll be seeing you in Chicago in a couple of months.
 
I understand your issue and I have had the same in many venues where I am working with those whose native language is English, so I can imagine that it is compounded where you add the global nature of your business.  After a quick search I am inclined to say that the term "disposition" could be used in conjunction with some sort of terminology that speaks to guidance or administration of the treatment of the records at the end of their retention period - if that helps people understand that there are limited options of what happens at the end of the required retention period (transfer to archives, destroy, and in limited situations donate to another entity (rare)).
 
Two other things to note, and I believe you are on your way to the first:
 
-Controlled language is a beneficial part of a records and information management program; and
 
-ISO 15489 defines disposition for us - in a global environment - as a, "range of processes associated with implementing records retention, destruction or transfer decisions which are documented in disposition authorities or other instruments"
 
My personal preference is to use the word disposition where it indicates the limited options at the end of the retention period, and destruction - deletion is OK for the electronic records and not dispose or disposal.  This is also how US Federal records management programs use these terms.  I have spent many years working with Federal clients here in the States.
Hope this helps.
 
Tod Chernikoff, CRM, CIP 
---------------  Date: Tue, 17 Jul 2012 16:49:28 -0500
From: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [RM] The language of disposition
To: [log in to unmask]
 Esteemed colleagues:
 Please share your views.
 
 Two exigencies: 1) I work closely with IT, and 2) Our corporate records program, historically responsible for the U.S. and Puerto Rico, is going global.
 As we formulate policy, there has been significant misunderstanding about disposition.  Some of our colleagues/customers equate it with "disposal".  Others understand the difference, but they recognize the challenges of communicating that concept in a global policy where English proficiency may be limited.
 Are there clearer terms to use?  Is there a better word than "disposition" to communicate that at the end of records' retention period, they are either transferred or destroyed?  What words work better than "disposition" and "dispose"?
 All suggestions will be well appreciated!
 
 Hoping to see many of you in Chicago,
 Gordy
Gordon E.J. Hoke, CRM
Electronic Records Manager
Abbott Labs
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