Does this email sound too blunt?

[littlemissworry97]

Just want to check.

Hi X,

I’ve noticed issue Y. I didn’t do anything to cause it, and I’m not sure I can resolve it right now…

Thanks,

Best wishes

Yeah, that’s very defensive, overly blunt and comes over that you can’t be bothered to deal with it - even later, even if it’s not your responsibility. No suggestion as to either when you could deal with it, or who could deal with it? No ideas on how to fix it?

It doesn't really matter what we think if you sent the email 2 days ago. But yeah, too blunt

Oh dear, not surprised he has not replied. It is the equivalent of a shoulder shrug and walking away from the problem.

Not sure. A few years ago the boss had a go at a colleague got something she hadn’t directly caused.

I think your email is not too blunt if that's the norm for your work, but it's not very constructive and sounds defensive.

It would be better to say "I have noticed issue X (picture attached). As it's outside of my normal remit, can I leave it with you to resolve?"

You've passed on the information and made it clear that you are not taking responsibility. You don't need to say that you didn't cause it unless there is a reason that you might have done.

The email you sent does not suggest you want your manager to do anything.

It isn’t something I can personally fix unless the boss gives specific instructions how but knowing him he’ll most likely want to fix it himself.

My email was just supposed to notify him of the issue for his convenience.

@redskydelight I agree, I sent the email when I was worried and tired, not at all intending to be rude. We’re quite an informal office; we joke and chat. Over email, I try to just be concise and give the boss the information he needs, without any waffle. Then I cringed with hindsight because I thought it might sound rude.

Do you think I need to apologise or would that make it worse?

It’s because in the past he’s had a bit of a go at colleagues for problems which they didn’t actually cause. Only minor things, but still blaming when not fair!

I don't think you need to apologise but you need to make it clear that you are expecting him to resolve it. Your email reads as though you were going to sort it out yourself, just not straight away. He hasn't replied, because he has considered it to be a "for information" email.

It’s because in the past he’s had a bit of a go at colleagues for problems which they didn’t actually cause. Only minor things, but still blaming when not fair!

What if he suggests she fixes it, which she can't do right now?

I think she should speak to her boss and skip the email altogether.

That’s possible, just to clarify I did attach a photo of the issue to the email. So he can see exactly what he’s dealing with.

That’s possible, just to clarify I did attach a photo of the issue to the email. So he can see exactly what he’s dealing with.

Hi X,

I've noticed Y. I'm worried about it because Z but I am unable to address it because A. I think B should happen. Please let me know if you have a different suggestion.

Kind regards,

C

He knows I don’t know how to fix it because I said so… but he’d just know that I can’t anyway.

I cant speak to him in person because he’s away right now. He’s away a lot and usually just comes in now and then, we do a lot of group Teams calls.

Yes, but all you've effectively said is "I've noticed there is an issue".

You need to tell him what you've done and what you expect to happen next.
It's all about clear communication. At the moment you are stressing because your boss has not replied, and he hasn't replied, because you didn't communicate clearly.

I'd reply all to your previous email (so that he can see the original) and say "I realise my previous email may not have been clear. I am not able to resolve the issue myself; can I leave it with you to sort it out?"

Your response to noticing the issue was to say "I didn't cause it" because you were worried about being blamed. If that's your work environment, then you need to be equally clear that you are not fixing it and that he is responsible for doing this. Otherwise you may get blamed for not fixing it.

But does he know you’re expecting him to fix it. The ‘I’m not sure I can resolve it right now…’ reads like I can’t sort it right now but I can at a later date.
It’s a terrible email to be fair lol. You’ve told him there’s a problem, got defensive saying it wasn’t you then told him you can’t sort it right now and left it at that. If you wanted a reply you could have asked a question, like ‘are you ok to take a look?’ ‘Do you have any suggestions to resolve it?’

Is it that you don't know how to fix it? You don't have time to? Or it's simply not part of your job and you don't want to get lumbered with it or blamed for causing it?

Is it necessary to mention it at all if it's not your job to fix? Could they respond with 'well, you must fix it now as it's a big problem business wise so takes priority over your other work'?

If so you might be better keeping shtum.

It does sound passive aggressive and a bit sloppy shouldered.

I would have said

Hi X

Ive noticed issue Y, I’m not sure how it’s occurred but will investigate so we can agree how to resolve.

Nothing to be done about it now then. If he needs anything else from you, he'll take it up with you or whoever can fix it (if not him).

It’s not strictly my job, but sometimes other colleagues fix similar things themselves. I’m just not sure how. The boss never really expects me to fix similar things to this, but it will need sorting out so I thought that it was courtesy to let him know about it.

Good luck with that

With what…?

In that case it's fine. The boss knows you don't know how to fix it and wouldn't be expecting you to. So yeah, go ahead and send it. i just didn't want it to mean you ended up with more work!