To think this wouldn’t cross the line?

[Sillyquestion123]

I have a client that I speak with every week. She definitely wasn’t herself today, and was thinking of reaching out to make sure she’s ok.

would you be annoyed if you were my client ?

Depends on the nature of your professional contact and the current nature of your relationship - is it ever personal, or has it always been strictly professional? Personally, I'd probably ask if everything is OK, but that's me.

I think it depends on the nature of your business to be honest.

I’m her account manager, so there’s a lever of chit chat and general “how was your holiday, new home, etc”

Presumptuous and annoying. Do not do this.

How could you help her be ok though? If it’s a personal matter and she’s got a lot to deal with, you can’t really help with that. If she didn’t volunteer anything then I would assume she doesn’t want to talk about it. Asking her directly would be intrusive.

Ok I think you shouldn't get to deep into things. It could get awkward if she does disclose something very sensitive and personal then regrets it or feels embarrassed. Or you could feel awkward and get too involved in her life.

If you were a therapist, carer or medical professional then yes, but if it's just a straightforward b2b professional relationship I wouldn't delve into her personal life. Beyond the polite 'hope you're well/how are you' in necessary correspondence.

That’s my worry, but also we didn’t meet 1:1 (other people were on the call, otherwise I would have asked her.

No in that circumstances I think it is not a good thing to do. Holiday chit chat is different to something that is causing her upset.

No, I don't think you should
Remain professional

Maybe I would do a halfway house and make an excuse to contact her 1:1, not as a call to see how she is but just fact checking something or <insert random excuse>. I’d probably say I mislaid my notebook and wanted to double check I had remembered some detail correctly or something like that- ie make human contact but not cross the line of professionalism.

then see how the conversation goes! It’s nice that you care

That would be complete out of normal protocol. We try to solve everything via email, which is why we have the weekly calls

This would be overstepping the professional boundary, no matter how well intended, please don’t.

I had a meeting where I was being bullied by a colleague. And she was being really quite rude and inappropriate. The most senior person on the call messaged me afterwards to say she felt that was hard and she hoped I was OK. She didn't offer to get involved but I did feel seen. You could try something like that?

A different situation - your colleague actually witnessed the bullying and you actually work together - they absolutely did the right thing for that situation.

In the case of the OP they are the account manager so it’s a client relationship not work colleague and they haven’t witnessed anything specific - it’s just a feeling.

I wouldn't. Imagine if she thought negatively about it, and then raised with your boss?
I think you would struggle to keep things professional.

I wouldn't be annoyed, I'd be embarrassed.

And if you happen to be mistaken and there was nothing wrong, you might make her feel as though she'll have to 'perform' in future with a frozen grin.

I wouldn’t be interested in talking about my private life with a colleague or work contact so no point asking really.

God no. Don't do that.