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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:
Aprilx · 10/12/2021 05:00

*who they can

LaurenKelsey · 10/12/2021 05:00

@StepAwayFromGoogling

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.
I agree. I would be very annoyed at this person. I definitely wouldnt let the whole thing go without mentioning it!
tallduckandhandsome · 10/12/2021 05:33

I can sort of see that she wants to be seen to be contributing and adding value, in which case she would have been better off cc’ing her own manager or the other middle management you met with.

Is your own manager in a very senior position and could she have wanted to use it to get exposure?

KaycePollard · 10/12/2021 05:39

Frame it as gentle advice, @ContactTraced rather than a question or instruction. You know that your line manager finds it irritating being cc’d in to these sorts of matters - let her know this. If you can do this by having a quiet word, rather than via email, it might be kinder.

PAFMO · 10/12/2021 05:51

@Viviennemary

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.
Difficult. We have no way of knowing if this person is "after the OP's job" or has come from somewhere where its usual to cc the whole chain. She's also middle management herself (from the OP) so maybe the suggestions were actually more intended for the top and had the OP not been holding the meeting she wouldn't have been the recipient of the mail anyway- especially given that the OP isn't her line manager.

OP- I'd let it go, but I'd pop it into the next CPD session for all staff. I'm just thinking- I have one direct line manager, and then there's the owner of the company- in fairness, very often my manager will say "copy X in as well". Maybe this person thought that.

If someone I manage copied my manager in I would only be concerned if the content of the mail was a criticism (overt or not) of my work.

PAFMO · 10/12/2021 05:52

@Aprilx

This person does not report to you and therefore I don’t think it is your place to tell them so they can and cannot copy into emails. You also don’t need to tell other people, including your line manager, what emails they should or shouldn’t choose to read.

To me this sounds likes someone who is trying hard and wants to demonstrate their contribution. The only other possible take out is that people think you are someone that tries to take credit for their work, but if this is not the case then I would say it is just the former, someone new trying to make an impression.

I think if you try to make more of this, it is you that looks insecure and petty. Don’t say anything.

I'd agree with this I think.
whateverintheworld · 10/12/2021 05:59

Wow I really can’t believe how many people seem to find the sender’s behaviour outrageous. I don’t know what profession you are in or if you mainly/partly WFH at the moment, but in my profession over the last couple of years with WFH it is becoming increasingly hard for juniors to prove themselves and receive credit - they are often out of sight to key stakeholders. The sender is clearly trying to show someone senior that they are a team player and have made a contribution. How else are they to get on the radar? If you are senior management and secure in your position I have no idea why this would make you upset - as a manager I think it’s your role to champion junior staff. If your line manager is annoyed let him/her say something or if you prefer just take him/her off the CC when you reply. But don’t crush someone new to a job’s confidence when they are obviously trying hard to make a good impression. If this really was inappropriate in your profession/organisation I think you should be reassuring this staff member how their contribution will be noted in the context of the piece of work as a whole

Shedmistress · 10/12/2021 06:22

I'd probably ask her manager to find out why she decided to copy your manager in, are you missing something here?

Belledan1 · 10/12/2021 06:31

I so hate unnecessary cc. The worse is you introduce some people to each other and then you get ccd in all their further conversations and no need. Also best is when you asked say two people something and the person responds just to me and the other person does need to be included and they dont include them. I would def go back to her OP as the others said.

tallduckandhandsome · 10/12/2021 06:33

@Shedmistress

I'd probably ask her manager to find out why she decided to copy your manager in, are you missing something here?
That’s a bit much 🤣
Shedmistress · 10/12/2021 06:37

That’s a bit much 🤣

It is why we have line management, her manager being in the dark about her cc-ing top brass in would look bad on them, not her.

pcofmushu · 10/12/2021 06:38

"... as if you think you know better..."

Please, please don't say this. This is how YOU have interpreted the situation, and we have nothing to suggest this is what the sender of the email intended. It stinks of paranoia (negative previous experience maybe?), tension, and is recipe to cause something trivial to escalate.

You can quite simply just ask "why did you feel XXX should have been copied into the email?" and see where that goes. It is most likely something honest and innocent.

OhLookMoreShit · 10/12/2021 06:43

@StepAwayFromGoogling

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.
This. Cheeky little arse licking twat knew exactly what she was doing. She's made a fool of only herself though.
YourenutsmiLord · 10/12/2021 06:44

Surely you just say no next time she suggests adding corrections - say you don't have time for individuals doing this. Comments at meeting next time.

Bunnycat101 · 10/12/2021 06:48

Some of the advice on here is bonkers. If someone came to me and asked why one of my direct reports cc’d in their manager id think they had nothing better to do.

By the sounds of it the person spent a long time suggesting changes and providing some feedback. For the people who are suggesting ‘admonishing’ her for it, why on earth would she bother again? It’s not exactly empowering to get the hump because someone did some work and then cc’d in a few extra people.

Ohbotherpiglet · 10/12/2021 06:50

This is such a non issue. I’d really be wondering if a senior manager had enough to do if they had the time to rumerate and have words with me because I ccd in someone unnecessarily into ONE email.

It could also totally backfire if it turned out she and your manager had had a conversation where she shared some of her ideas and your manager expressed interest and requested to be cc’d in.
Just thank her for her feedback and move on.

GiveMeNovocain · 10/12/2021 06:50

My manager has her email set up so cc emails get junked! But anyone who wants to email her about my work is fine. On big pieces I keep a feedback log outing who made comments and how I've sought advice and responded that she can review if she likes. My work is very collaborative and I have a policy of explicitly crediting people when they do good work, especially when they're at the start of their career. It means people go out their way to help me out

KatherineJaneway · 10/12/2021 06:50

I'd say it would be best to ask her politely but directly. It could be she wanted to make an impression or make a point but you say she is new into this type of role, maybe she thinks cc'ing is what she is supposed to do or what she is used to doing in her old role. This way you can gently say no need to cc in Name on these types of emails and it is all sorted.

Ohbotherpiglet · 10/12/2021 06:52

@Shedmistress I would seriously question whether they had enough to do if they had time for this! I would also be annoyed at being pulled away from my own work for such a non-issue

123Suprise · 10/12/2021 06:53

Your in a senior management position and you are asking the internet this question!?!

UnsuitableHat · 10/12/2021 06:54

I’ve seen cc used as a passive aggressive strategy a few times. I think you’re well within your rights to say something if you don’t think it’s appropriate.

Dozer · 10/12/2021 06:54

Would simply ignore, unless colleague does similar repeatedly. You’ve said your boss will ignore or be unimpressed with colleague.

RedWingBoots · 10/12/2021 06:56

OP she can cc in your manager but your manager if they are like all the other senior people including directors I've worked with won't open her email so won't read it as they get hundreds of emails a day.

Some actually delete a few hundred without ever reading them.

I've learnt that you are better of going over to talk to someone if in the office otherwise engage them in an online chat or phone call if not.

Incidentally if your manager gets too many emails from her, they will tell her to stop cc'ing them in. 😂

So either ignore her or if there are workplace rules laid down covering email etiquette show her them.

TractorAndHeadphones · 10/12/2021 06:56

This is such a small issue - just have a quick chat with her.
She could have had a micromanager previously who wanted everything CC’ed, it could’ve been a mistake who knows

Welcometothejingles · 10/12/2021 07:00

When you reply to her email also include her own manager into the cc line & comment on her suggestions. Thank her for the good suggestions and also set her straight about the one's that are going against company policy. This way her own line manager is made aware of the ambitious, schemer on their team.