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Original poster

WWYD: Team member accidently sent me a...mail

463 replies

Junestepe · 15/05/2024 21:11

WWYD: Employee accidently sent me voice note via TEAMs outlining how they were hungover in work today. They were supposedly WFH and didnt attend team meetings were uncontactable for large parts of the day, they provided excuses BUT they just accidently sent me a voice note meant for a friend detailing their hangover and elaborate cover story for not attending meetings/not working today!!!

Employee is senior, established team member who can go rouge from time time but over all is a solid performer.

WWYD: How do I handle this? Person works full time remote. I don't want to fire them...don't want to involve HR..but I want deal with this appropriately and send the correct message so the incident is never repeated. I'm a new manager so your advice appreciated! Thank you

OP posts:
Remagirl · 15/05/2024 22:10

I'd reply saying I don't this was meant for me. I'd also say that we should take that day out of your leave entitlement given it didn't pan out as a work day.

marmaladeandpeanutbutter · 15/05/2024 22:12

@Remagirl has the answer, I think. Sufficiently manager-y whilst not disciplinarian.

longdistanceclaraclara · 15/05/2024 22:13

Depends on where you work. I'm in an engineering firm, zero tolerance drugs and alcohol. Random testing. Particularly on sore but also in office based roles like mine. It would be instant dismissal and I'm guessing he wouldn't have blow zero.

Context is everything.

IamSlave · 15/05/2024 22:13

Just let them know you've seen it via meant for me and leave it.

longdistanceclaraclara · 15/05/2024 22:13

On site! Haven't got m glasses on

MuggleMe · 15/05/2024 22:18

I'd say assume meant for someone else. I'd be tempted to ask for retrospective annual leave request if you want to come down hard.

Womblealongwithme · 15/05/2024 22:18

This thread is really highlighting the different work ethics that people have. 🤣

maudelovesharold · 15/05/2024 22:20

SallyWD · 15/05/2024 21:57

As long as it's a one off, I'd completely ignore it.

Op has no idea if it’s a one off, though. She wouldn’t have known about this one, had it not been for the voice note! The employee had provided (presumably plausible) excuses for their unavailability. May have done it before, may do it again…

kitsuneghost · 15/05/2024 22:23

I would sarcastically say are you taking a sick day for Monday or holiday?

ShinyAppleDreamingOfTheSea · 15/05/2024 22:31

ChampagneGold · 15/05/2024 21:29

As their manager you can't laugh this off. Nor should you go OTT.

I'd just say, I received your voice note obviously intended for somebody else. Clearly your actions weren't appropriate and you need to ensure this doesn't happen again because I will have to take it further.

This will probably be enough to shit them up so that it doesn't happen again.....or they might just hide it better next time!

That seems a measured approach .

PineappleTime · 15/05/2024 22:31

Sorry as a manager no chance I would let this go. Yes I've been the hungover useless employee at points in my life but if my manager had found out I'd have expected to be reprimanded! You have to address it. I like the offering to take annual leave option.

Haffdonga · 15/05/2024 22:34

I'd let him know you got the message and tell him to come in for a (face to face) meeting with you.

At the meeting I'd ask him if there's anything he'd like to say (hopefully he'll apologise and make excuses). I'd follow up by asking him how he intends to make sure it won't happen again and if he behaves reasonably agree that you'll leave it there.

If he DARVOs or blusters then I'd start putting it in writing.

TheFormidableMrsC · 15/05/2024 22:34

I'd leave it. We all do stuff we shouldn't on occasion. Just go about your day 🤷🏻‍♀️

ShadesofPoachedSmoke · 15/05/2024 22:36

ChampagneGold · 15/05/2024 21:29

As their manager you can't laugh this off. Nor should you go OTT.

I'd just say, I received your voice note obviously intended for somebody else. Clearly your actions weren't appropriate and you need to ensure this doesn't happen again because I will have to take it further.

This will probably be enough to shit them up so that it doesn't happen again.....or they might just hide it better next time!

I'd go with this middle road.

Don't ignore it, it needs to be addressed. But doesn't need a nuclear option - this time. But he needs to know you're not going to let it go completely unnoticed.

Sasqwatch · 15/05/2024 22:42

You can see that you’re a ‘new manager’ if ‘firing them’ is even on the periphery of your radar, if only to discount it @Junestepe 🙄

Talk to your HR dept for advice if you don’t know the correct way to handle this, rather than avoiding involving them.

anythinginapinch · 15/05/2024 22:52

I'm a company owner. I'd hit the bloody roof.

BitOutOfPractice · 15/05/2024 22:56

I’m a company owner, I wouldn’t 🤷‍♀️

AlisonDonut · 15/05/2024 22:56

chocolateisavegetable · 15/05/2024 21:28

You could reply asking if he’d like to use half a day’s annual leave for today

I'd suggest a full days leave as he was AWOL for the day.

bottleofbeer · 15/05/2024 23:07

Let it go.

Moveoverdarlin · 15/05/2024 23:12

Let it go. Do nothing.

TheSoundThatIWasHearing · 15/05/2024 23:16

I'd let him know you'd heard it and that if he submits a holiday form for the day, you won't take it any further this time.

AloeVerity · 15/05/2024 23:21

You need to let him know you’ve heard it. Say that you’ll expect a retrospective leave request for the day given it hasn’t been an actual work day. WFH is a privilege that can be removed if people take the piss… Make sure he knows you’ll happily revoke this.

taylorswift1989 · 15/05/2024 23:30

OP can't just let it go. That's crazy.

For all you know, it wasn't a mistake at all that you got the message. Maybe he gets a kick out of seeing what he can get away with.

I'd be very clear that it's not okay, and that if anything like this should happen again, it will be treated as misconduct. I like the idea of a face to face meeting so you can get the measure or him.

Can't believe people think you should just ignore it, like he's a naughty boy and you're his mummy...

EnglishBluebell · 16/05/2024 00:07

I'd just say "Oh right" then let them sweat for a good few hours. Enough time to swear they'll never ever be so stupid again etc and then eventually send a laughing face.

EnglishBluebell · 16/05/2024 00:09

anythinginapinch · 15/05/2024 22:52

I'm a company owner. I'd hit the bloody roof.

Chill out. For God's sakes we've all made mistakes. Stop pretending nobody is human

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