Petty I know but (Would) IBU to copy everyone into the reply?

[VladmirsPoutine]

I know this is quite a petty gripe but it's been eating away at me all evening so I've turned to the reasonable minds of MN.

I'm working on a project in which I have to complete a certain aspect before a colleague can complete her bit. The deadline is looming so about 3 weeks ago she e-mailed me asking me to send her my bit when I was done. I replied that same afternoon with my finished section saying if she wanted me to make any changes or had any comments to let me know soon as and it'd be my first priority.

I didn't hear anything back so all was well in the world. Earlier this afternoon I received an e-mail from her basically saying "Vlad, I asked you to send me xyz 3 weeks ago so I could complete abc as the deadline is nearing. Where is it? Can you send it ASAP." She'd copied in her manager, my manager and their managers too, along with a few others on the edges of the project.

She's not a malicious person so what I suspect happened is that her manager basically asked her where it was as he probably wanted to have a once-over before we declared it finished. So she must have panicked and just sent the e-mail to everyone.

Thing is, if she'd just e-mailed me or just came over to me to ask about it I would have happily said 'Here it is.... I sent it to you that day but you must have overlooked it.'

Now I feel like copying in all the people in the e-mail she sent with a PA reply. As I see it - even if I take the high road and just quietly e-mail her to the others it will look as though I dropped the ball and suddenly picked it back up again when brought to attention.

I've had quite a fairly long and extensive career so I'm not a stranger to these sorts of antics but for one or two reasons this has really irked me.

If you're still with me: WIBU to copy everyone else into the reply saying I sent this to you the same day you asked me about it (which incidentally was to schedule), or should I just send it to her alone in an e-mail and think no more of it?

Reply all and attach the email. She's obviously been slack and now grappling for excuses. Cover yourself first.

I would definitely resend the original copying everyone in that she has. She might have panicked but she’s also gone out of her way to try and drop you in it. And tbh people do this to me sometimes and it fucking pisses me off - don’t try and put the blame on me for your failings!

She's trying to make you look unprofessional. I'd hate that especially when I knew I had already doen something. Definitely reply with them all copied in still.

Definitely reply all. No question about that. lala is spot on in their above post.

Reply to all saying when you sent it & then forward the email you sent 3 weeks ago copying in the same people!

Definitely reply all, attaching your earlier email. You probably only need a few words, no need to be PA at all. Just say - I replied on x date, here’s another copy in case you didn’t get it. Point made, and everyone is kept informed.

I would definitely copy everyone in, not to be petty but so that they're aware of current status. She's trying to throw you under the bus.

I would do the PA reply but in a sickly sweet reply. Being super helpful. I sent it on x date, I'm sorry you missed it. Please find attached. And attach the previous email, not just the document. Then it's date/time stamped and show unequivocally you didn't drop the ball.

If the bosses and boss of bosses weren't on the email, I'd say leave it. You reputation is on the line.

Reply to all and attach original email, sometimes it has to be done.

Not only would it not be unreasonable, but you absolutely must cc all, or it will come to bite you down the line. Always does.

I wouldn't say apologies in the email though. You don't really have anything to apologise for. If the recipients are anything like my boss they'll see the apologies, zone out and just go straight to the attachment meaning in their mind you could have been at fault.

I'd definitely reply all so that the people cc'd into the email are aware it's been dealt with.

Reply all, attaching the email. Double check you did indeed send it to her and not someone else!!

You have a duty to CC the extra recipients otherwise they may be worried that the work is not on track. She's forced you to do this. No need to do anything PA, keep it matter of fact.

Oooh I hate people like that. The first time it happened to me I burst into tears at my desk!

Definitely reply all and attach your reply as an outlook item.

If you're worried about coming across too harsh you could say something like "I sent it to you on X date, please see attached. If you didn't receive it, I suggest you check your junk box?"

I agree definitely reply all - looks like for once this thread is pretty unanimous!

I would say as others don't resend the original email.

Reply to all on the current email and attach the original advising xyz was sent as requested 3 weeks ago.

She is throwing you under the bus for some reason. Don't let her.

Reply all, and if you want to be all tinkly laugh about it, write “How strange, I sent this to you three weeks ago as promised (see below).”

Forward it to her again with the full thread showing the date of her original email and copy in the full list.
Comment simply "sent this to you the same day. "
Put a read receipt on it this time and do that every time from this point on.
Cheeky mare.

Certainly don't take the fall of apologise in any way - I'd be seething if I were you. Reply all with the original email!!

I would reply all and add the email I sent as an attachment. This is the sort of madness I don't deal with at work 😂

Stop doubting yourself. Copy every fucker in. She's buggered it up and she's trying to land you in it.

Definitely reply all. You’d be daft not to tbh! It would like ok like you hadn’t done your job properly in the first instance.

If there's one thing Iv'e learnt it's when someone pulls this shit deff do a reply to all.

I'm in total agreement with everyone else - she's tried damned hard to drop you in it here. You need to reply, promptly, saying it was sent on x date and attaching the original email. With everyone CC'd. Otherwise it will look like you stopped the CC trail to hide your mistake.

She's given you no choice

Agree reply all.

If not, there are a bunch of managers with a ? as to whether it's sorted.

As people have said, just be calm and professional - explain it was sent the same day, attach original and there can be no comeback on you.