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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:
CheesyFootballsAreEvil · 10/12/2021 07:03

I would ask her why she copied them in and say you don't want loads of copies of the document flying around so next time can she use the comments in the document like everyone else.

Heepers · 10/12/2021 07:04

Definitely ignore it. It's annoying but makes you look petty and insecure if you raise it. If it keeps happening then maybe have a quiet word.

CheesyFootballsAreEvil · 10/12/2021 07:05

Oh and reply saying that some of her suggestions go against company policy but x was helpful thanks

SilverPeacock · 10/12/2021 07:05

I get why you are annoyed OP and it is a breach of etiquette. But I would leave it and would only say something if she does it repeatedly. Otherwise I think you risk coming across as bit controlling and brittle

Echoesandsilence · 10/12/2021 07:09

@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.

Yes this.

I would also probably include your responses to her updates in the mail so you could point out what you have said about some being against policy etx

PieMistee · 10/12/2021 07:24

I work in a workers co-op so find this sort of hierarchical working a bit dated. It comes across as very petty.

Offmyfence · 10/12/2021 07:24

@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 is good!
teateaandcoffee · 10/12/2021 07:25

It sounds like they are eager to please and get noticed, hence copying in line manager.
I would reply as though she had just done it in note form, and not cc anyone in. I think ignore the over step for now as you did agree to her request of writing on the document, but in future definitely don’t make allowances for her to overstep, she has to follow requests for notes like everyone else.

GnomeDePlume · 10/12/2021 07:27

I would reply to newmanager but tell them to not cc anyone in at this stage as it risks there being multiple versions of the same document in circulation. Keep the focus on the document.

I have colleagues who use CC to my senior manager as a passive aggressive tool. It always looks like 'I've told your dad'. It is used to try to make their email look important (when it isnt).

When I reply I drop all unnecessary CCs and in conversation will tell senior manager that I have dealt with X and we will have a joint eye roll about colleague copying in the world and its dog into trivia.

PAFMO · 10/12/2021 07:28

A lot of posts are making the writer of the email sound as if she's 17 and in her first tea making role.
The OP says she's middle management.

Scrabblecrabapple · 10/12/2021 07:33

Surely your manager should be saying please don’t CC me in, if that’s what he/she wants.

Haus1234 · 10/12/2021 07:34

This is a cultural thing - in both my current and previous roles everyone would be cc’d. Just let her know clearly it’s not how you do it in your company “for next time”. If she does it again then that’s when you know she’s scheming!

Rainartist · 10/12/2021 07:35

@ZenNudist

Why don't you reply all addressing line manager (let's call her jenny). "Jenny, not sure why you are ccd but you don't need to look at this [yet]. I told Newbie she could send me her edits on the document rather than separate comments. I will review and then if you need to see it will forward updated version "
This is sensible
LakieLady · 10/12/2021 07:43

I wouldn't bother myself with this tbh. I think it might make you look a bit petty, OP. And she's made herself look a bit pushy and crass, and not up to speed with what company policy is on some issues.

Most places where I've worked people would find this funny and her line manager would probably be telling her "we don't work like this here".

FallingStar21 · 10/12/2021 07:50

The fact that she did not want to submit her comments like everyone else, but EDITED your document and CC-ED YOUR BOSS just feels like she wants to show your boss she can do your job better than you. I am reading it like she wants to take your job or make it look like you aren't good at it for other reasons (doesn't like you and wants to make it hard for you, for example).

thedarkling · 10/12/2021 07:51

@Summerfun54321

I’d reply all and say, “Thanks for that Newbie. Manager I’ll forward to you when it’s done”. I wouldn’t tell her off for it.
This
Itloggedmeoutagain · 10/12/2021 08:01

Really couldn't get worked up about this. You're a senior manager so I don't understand why you can't say to her thanks for the feedback but we don't cc in others here. Or just say nothing because the cc doesn't affect you it affects your line manager so if they don't want to read it they can tell her, or just ignore it.

AvocadoTrees · 10/12/2021 08:08

Depends. In some workplaces it would not be unusual for certain senior staff to take good ideas from their junior staff and pass them off as their own.

Is your workplace like this or do you give credit where it is due?

tttigress · 10/12/2021 08:11

There is nothing I had more than "weaponised cc"!!

C8H10N4O2 · 10/12/2021 08:12

I receive these kind of CCs, most of them are automatically diverted to a subfolder, others just make my eyes roll a bit.

However I see very different workplace practices on this within clients and between geographies.

If it bothers you just ask her. I'd also ask her why she can't provide comments in the standard format requested like everyone else.

NextChristmas · 10/12/2021 08:16

The only time someone puts someone's boss on a cc when it's not actually directly to do with the boss is to make a point. Odd (and brazen!) for someone junior to you to take that approach which makes me think it has to have been some sort of mistake or just inexperience.

NCkitchen · 10/12/2021 08:30

Hi x,

Going forward please give your edits/comments to me as I need to finish editing the final doc before it goes to senior manager.

I'd imagine it's a bit annoying for senior manager to receive several drafts from various people rather than one final doc.

Thanks so much for your comments. I'll definitely include abc but xyz are not inline with brand policy.

Many thanks

FreedomFaith · 10/12/2021 08:41

I'd probably just point out one by one which of her suggestions work, which ones don't and which ones go against company policy. And then also add a bit at the bottom to teach her how to do editing properly like everyone else.

Phrase it all in a polite, 'just helping you out' manner, as she's new and doesn't know company policy just yet.

If she wants to be noticed, help her out. Such a shame its in a bad way but oh well.

Shedmistress · 10/12/2021 08:47

In some workplaces it would not be unusual for certain senior staff to take good ideas from their junior staff and pass them off as their own

Hang on a minute. She copied in the OP's manager. She must be making some weird point and the OP is entitled to know just what that point is.

Hence pushing it back to her line manager to look at.

Sausagedogsarethebest · 10/12/2021 08:50

If the colleague is fairly new to the company then I'd wonder if she's had bad experiences at other workplaces where senior people have 'stolen' her ideas and not given credit. Alternatively she may think by copying in your senior then it's a way of making herself shine to leadership.