To get so wound up about an innocuous email sign off?

[Maria53]

Ok this is light hearted but curious to see if it just me.

I have a colleague who has always signed off his emails with 'Let me know if there are any issues'. I think it bugs me for the same reason 'that won't be a problem' bothers me - it is a negative take on things for no reason whatsoever.

So now 2 other people that work closely with this colleague are signing off every single email to colleagues and clients with 'Let me know if there are any issues' when they are just updating or sending something. It is driving me nuts.

AIBU?

KR winds me up so much. DH uses it too much to my disgust.

I always assume that KR is auto generated. A mini-signature file.

The "let me know of any issues" brigade are the same people who apologise for having opinions and send emails that start with, "I just wanted to let you know that". It's semi apologetic - like there might be something wrong.

I tend to put something like that at the end of mine, so doesn't bother me. It just stops the email being abrupt

Same here - just a little courtesy.

Why are you saying you're being light hearted when you clearly aren't? And no, there's nothing wrong with these sign offs.

often this line is included when a colleague is sending a piece of work they have produced...suggesting there could be an issue with it right off the bat.

Yes, in some cases it’s a weaselly way of saying, I haven’t checked the spec or assured my own work and expect you to do that for me.

It's semi apologetic - like there might be something wrong

This, too. Just read the bloody spec, ask if you don’t understand it and if you haven’t met the brief, clearly explain what you have omitted and why!!

I have a colleague who does this, to me it looks rude and a bit aggressive...

I don't think I'd take that amiss unless the sender is patronising in real life, in which case I might read it as them expecting me to have problems understanding.

If not, it's just being approachable. If I understand correctly from another of OP's posts, this is in the cover email to some work they have produced? To me that's a bit self deprecating if anything on their part, suggesting if they have missed anything or not made sense, to ask them.

Agree with you OP.
It sounds slightly negative to mention 'issues'.

I sometimes put 'Do let me know if you have any questions' if appropriate. But mentioning 'issues' isn't the same.

I agree it’s a but negative, but it’s just the wrong word. I often say “Do let me know if I can help further/Do let me know if you have any questions”

But my job means clients who quite likely will have questions or need help.

I wouldn’t sign off that way if it was more facts and figures e.g.

Attached is the latest sales data.

best wishes,

I've wielded many a pass-agg email signoff in my time but I've only used this (or "let me know if you have any questions") when I'm signalling genuine helpfulness!

The one that drives me insane is where I'm copied in and it's "if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Lobster or myself".

I used to end mine with Kind Regards but I've been told it winds people up! I dislike Best Wishes, or BS as I've had recently but I don't really think about it after

I dislike Best Wishes, or BS as I've had recently

BS???? That could backfire!

And, even worse, people who don't have their phone number in their email signature.

Ours are corporate generated, and everything should be digital apparently, so a phone number is unnecessary.

I do it sometimes, sometimes what I actually want to put is ""Don't contact me and I won't contact you." but I don't.

YABU and massively overthinking

I sometimes end emails like this - what I mean to convey is that I'm not arrogantly assuming the recipient will be fine with what I'm saying, I am open and receptive to challenges.

@Iamthewombat

I dislike Best Wishes, or BS as I've had recently

BS???? That could backfire!

Balls I meant BW, but maybe I'll use BS and see if anyone notices.......

And, even worse, people who don't have their phone number in their email signature.

I took this out when I started WFH, because my normal work phone is currently not in use and I'll be damned if I give out my personal number in emails. When I'm in the office and actually contactable by phone, it can go back in.

I agree, I don’t think you’re being light hearted at all. I really don’t see the “issue”..pun intended.

I sign off saying let me know if any questions. It’s really just a polite way to say let me know if this meets your needs or you need something else.

We do however have some clients that like to look for issues and this is partly why I think it is just an invitation for them to look for some.

They'd probably look for issues anyway though if they are that kind of client, right? So the email sign off will probably make no difference to them, but will appeal to non-difficult clients by sounding helpful.

you might think you're a positive person, but you're not if you think this means they're anticipating issues.

Wow. I don't sign off every email with that but sometimes I do. It's my way of letting the other person know that if they need to make changes/offer critique on what I've written, that's completely fine. I especially make sure to do this with people who might be junior to me and feel anxious about having to ask for changes to be made. I don't think it's a negative thing AT ALL. It's simply recognising that my work won't always be completely perfect first time round and that I'm willing to work to make it better if that's needed.

It's just a way of telling the recipient to feel free to get in contact if they need anything further.

I definitely couldn’t get worked up about this.

BUT you could try responding every single time with: “I don’t foresee any issues” as your own sign off. See how long it takes them to stop!

It’s the word issues though. It’s quite negative.
Depending on context I’d got for let me know if you have any feedback or any questions.