Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to speak to junior colleague about her use of CC?

160 replies

ContactTraced · 09/12/2021 22:55

I hold a senior management position at my workplace. Today in a meeting, I shared some documentation I’d been working on for consultation with middle management. I asked them to make comments and suggestions, which may or may not be implemented (but I promised I’d explain why if I chose not to implement a suggestion)

After the meeting a colleague who is 5 months into their first middle management role asked if they could send me their suggested edits on a copy of the document rather than making comments as they found this easier. I had no problem with this.

Tonight they have emailed me their version; attached to an email saying they have made this change and that change and have cc’d in my line manager.

AIBU to have a quiet and gentle word with them tomorrow and say something like “I know you didn’t mean it, but you’re email came across as if you think you know better and there was no need to CC in (line manager) as it gives an impression I don’t think you intended.”

If it’s worth anything, some of her changes I would be happy to implement; but some go against company policy and some I just, based on my experience in the industry, don’t agree with.

I don’t want to come across as not being able to take criticism; but at the same time her response had left me a bit “WTF”?

OP posts:
MadMadMadamMim · 09/12/2021 23:02

I'd be tempted to pose it as a question to them. Could you please tell me why you cc'd my line manager into the email you sent me?

Make it an enquiry and put them on the spot. I would be clear I wasn't happy at the breach of protocol particularly as it sounds like you are senior to them.

Original poster
ContactTraced · 09/12/2021 23:05

@MadMadMadamMim I am senior to them; but not within their direct line management structure if that’s makes sense?

OP posts:
FortunesFave · 09/12/2021 23:05

I wouldn't say it like that. I would simply say "Please do not CC X into our emails unless it directly involves them." and nothing else. Also, why is it "easier" for her to edit rather than add comments?

Also tell her that you expect her to make comments in future as it streamlines the process and that's how you prefer it.

FortunesFave · 09/12/2021 23:06

@MadMadMadamMim

I'd be tempted to pose it as a question to them. Could you please tell me why you cc'd my line manager into the email you sent me?

Make it an enquiry and put them on the spot. I would be clear I wasn't happy at the breach of protocol particularly as it sounds like you are senior to them.

This is very good. Do this.
TwinklyBranch · 09/12/2021 23:07

I would just ignore it and not even mention it. If your line manager thinks it's inappropriate/unnecessary, let them say something.

mynameiscalypso · 09/12/2021 23:08

Do people really get wound up by stuff like this? I also hold a senior management position and wouldn't even give this a moment's thought. I would assume that it's someone new in role trying to impress senior stakeholders (even though in my experience the senior stakeholder is unlikely to read it).

FortunesFave · 09/12/2021 23:08

@TwinklyBranch

I would just ignore it and not even mention it. If your line manager thinks it's inappropriate/unnecessary, let them say something.
If she ignores it, this colleague will take that as permission to go around undermining OP again. Which is what she's tried to do here without a doubt.
TwinklyBranch · 09/12/2021 23:09

Also, I would only copy in someone's line manager if they are being a complete dick. Just saying.

minipie · 09/12/2021 23:09

My guess is that she cc’d her manager because she was trying to demonstrate to her manager that she was making a contribution, having ideas, using her time productively etc. Not because she was trying to do you down.

I think you should say to her that she didn’t need to copy the manager in, but do it gently.

FortunesFave · 09/12/2021 23:09

@mynameiscalypso

Do people really get wound up by stuff like this? I also hold a senior management position and wouldn't even give this a moment's thought. I would assume that it's someone new in role trying to impress senior stakeholders (even though in my experience the senior stakeholder is unlikely to read it).
The culture in OP's place of work may differ vastly to that in yours.
FortunesFave · 09/12/2021 23:10

@minipie

My guess is that she cc’d her manager because she was trying to demonstrate to her manager that she was making a contribution, having ideas, using her time productively etc. Not because she was trying to do you down.

I think you should say to her that she didn’t need to copy the manager in, but do it gently.

No, she CC'd OP's manager...not her own.
minipie · 09/12/2021 23:10

Ah sorry I re read and realised it’s your manager she cc’d rather than her own manager. Unless you share a manager?

minipie · 09/12/2021 23:11

Cross posted Fortune!

daimbarsatemydogsbone · 09/12/2021 23:11

I can't get excited about who is cc'd. I did notice that someone I don't particularly like at work cc'd my bosses boss once. My bosses boss was not impressed and let the originator know, as well as informing them she was 100% behind what I had (and hadn't) done. Which was nice.

CrimeJunkie01 · 09/12/2021 23:14

Everyone cc's everyone where I work, including the director, it means nothing. But in my old place of work it would be a passive aggressive act. Maybe it is just culture's? I'd ask why if I cared enough, but would probably just think my manager would know I had a handle on it.

Original poster
ContactTraced · 09/12/2021 23:15

@minipie no, we don’t share line managers.

I’m not wound by it per se… it definitely more of a niggle than a huge concern and I was thinking of phrasing it as advice for the future rather than me being upset.

However; the culture in my workplace is such that think my line manager is likely to interpret the same way as I have; as he is often complaining about senior management being cc’d into things into things “to make a point”

OP posts:
Luredbyapomegranate · 09/12/2021 23:17

I'd say something like -

Hi X - Thanks for your suggestions. Going forward when you are emailing suggestions for a draft, just send them to the person responsible for the final doc, rather than copying other team members. It's the person responsible for final docs job to circulate it at the point it's ready to be shared.

If there's a next time get them to use notes.

StepAwayFromGoogling · 09/12/2021 23:18

Yep, this would piss me right off. I HATE people copying in my manager to emails I've sent. Why the need? You're doing one of two things a) trying to highlight to my manager that you think I'm doing something wrong (in which case, how about just speaking to me?) or b) showing off to my manager that you believe you have contributed something astounding to a piece of work. Either way it's a passive aggressive dick move. And, yes, I'd call them on it.

Viviennemary · 09/12/2021 23:19

I'd say she is after your job and is out to make a name for herself with the senior management. Its quite cheeky for a newish person to do this. I think I would let it go but look to get rid of her from your team.

Enough4me · 09/12/2021 23:19

It doesn't make sense that she'd copy your manager in and not her manager if she was seeking recognition.

I would ask, did you mean to copy (her manager) in to check if the updates were in line with strategy/policy rather than your manager?

If she says yes, sorry, all is fine. If she says no, she is in the position to justify why. It could be a miscommunication that she thought someone wanted her to copy your manager in.

Mammyloveswine · 09/12/2021 23:19

@Luredbyapomegranate

I'd say something like -

Hi X - Thanks for your suggestions. Going forward when you are emailing suggestions for a draft, just send them to the person responsible for the final doc, rather than copying other team members. It's the person responsible for final docs job to circulate it at the point it's ready to be shared.

If there's a next time get them to use notes.

This!!
blubberyboo · 09/12/2021 23:19

She might have been afraid that you would steal her ideas and not give her credit which could be an important takeaway for yourself and other senior management that your staff might feel like this.

You could say something along the lines of

“Thanks for your contribution. this is only at suggestion stage which I will oversee and provide feedback to you on, not a final edit so no need to CC other management in. I will share with you all and senior management the final document when it is ready and give credit to all the contributors”

Wizzbangfizz · 09/12/2021 23:20

I'd be irritated by this as well as would go with the @MadMadMadamMim approach - I can't bear this cc'ing of people not required (as I'm half my inbox is this shit) and she does need to be told the way of things. Id only expect my line manager included in an escalation.

BycullahRoad · 09/12/2021 23:21

Copying in the manager of the person to whom the email is addressed is definitely an aggressive move. You have to wonder what the employee's motivation is. And yes, you do need to establish some ground rules with the junior employee regarding the use of email in your organisation.

AllKnowingGerbil · 09/12/2021 23:21

I hate cc habits. It's usually someone saying "look at me I've had an idea and done something".

I always remove the cc when I reply to these messages. Not playing that game.

I think your idea was fine OP, to mention that it came come across badly. They might not realise.