AIBU to think this is a horrible thing to do on the deadline of a major work project?

[RJ2023]

I work for for an insurance broker and a key part of my job is clients coming to us (and our competitors) with a problem they have and we have a few weeks to put together a report with our proposed solution.

Typically results in a brainstorm, narrow it down to 5 ideas, 2 weeks of actuarial analysis on those, and then a 50 slide PowerPoint to explain those 5 ideas and our overall recommendation for our pitch.

One guy never joins any of the calls throughout the project because "he is too busy" but consistently finds time at 4pm on the deadline day to start raising questions and concerns about our recommendation (cc'd to everyone he can think of obviously!)

There's obviously nothing that can be done at this stage so I have to send the report as it is and instead of the happy feeling you get after finishing three weeks hard work I'm left feeling a bit shit as the project lead, and he looks great for spotting something nobody else had picked up on.

AIBU? I think it is a really horrible thing to do to people on the deadline day of a major piece of work.

I just wouldn't give him the satisfaction of a response. The work was done without him, his 'late in the day' input adds nothing of value so just pretend he doesn't exist.

This.

Can’t abide wankers like this.

This should be viewed as harassment and an initial step should be raising this with their manager. Especially as not a one off.

I had someone do that a few years ago when I could demonstrate the number of opportunities to comment. The director was supportive and such behaviour was not repeated.

I'd be very tempted to politely call him out on it using reply to all. AI is the perfect tool for wording a passive aggressive response that no one can quite put their finger in what is passive aggressive about it. I wonder if next time you could give a deadline for input in advance of the final report.

Have this email response typed and ready in notes and send to all the CCs EVERY time he does it. Add in boundaries as you go along:

Next project whenever you ask for feedback give a deadline (Please provide any feedback by (date) in order for it to be considered and acted on if appropriate.

Then if he still does it send the email above and add;

So that all feedback can be considered in a timely manner, can we agree to providing it no later than five working days before the deadline.

Put in boundaries first. Create a paper trail first. Then take it to management.

Christ, no. Use plan English.

Normally I'm a big fan of plain English but this is the perfect time for corporate speak. Plain english can get you in trouble if someone wants to take offence. Corporate speak is much harder to pin down. The meaning is between the lines.

“Please review and let me have any comments no later than [insert suitable date and time in advance of the deadline] to allow time for any changes to be made.”

If he comes back at the last minute then you point out that the deadline for raising concerns was X.

This has been standard throughout my career - documents circulated with cover sheet of a page with a table for comments from all parties (signed by each through the process) and a clear timeline for feedback and comments, then consolidation/rejection of comments for final delivery.

The timelines are days not "weeks" except occasionally when multiple external parties are involved and slightly longer review time is needed.

@RJ2023 .do you have no standard timelines/process for circulation, feedback, update, delivery? If not suggest this when you have the discussions. It makes the point with a constructive suggestion to improve things.

This sort of thing (solidarity OP, been there many times) is where I wish it was possible to speak plainly to people. Something like "Oh, right on cue, here's Thirty Minute Gary with his usual load of too-late irrelevant piffle. Go away, Gary. No-one likes you."

(I would seriously try and reduce the length of the slide decks though, OP.)

How frustrating! Do you do project wash ups, or similar? Might be a good format to record his late contributions as it’s a known issue.

Email the whole team, saying:

Thanks very much to everyone for your input into the X bid.

Unfortunately, some feedback was received too close to the deadline for us to be able to act on it, and we weren't able to take everyone's thoughts into account. I've noticed that we have found ourselves in a similar situation on previous projects, potentially resulting in insightful comments getting missed. Could I therefore propose that, going forward, we introduce an internal deadline for feedback to be received by the project lead at least one week before the deadline for the client? This would enable us to ensure that everyone's contributions can be adequately considered and hopefully lead to better outcomes.

In the meantime, many thanks to everyone who helped to shape the X bid - I think we put together a really strong offer for the client and I'm grateful to everyone who contributed.

This is what I would do, also.

If he’s the same level why not stand up for yourself and reply all politely saying given the late response you won’t have time to take all his comments on board and suggest next time he engages in the process earlier

I'd also be inclined to add a line like :

Meetings were held on 1st September, 15th September, 29th September, 10th October, and you were absent every time.

I know someone like that too. It's a power move.

The issue is one person, don’t be weak and contact everyone.

Deal with the nasty person via his manager if needs be.

Why would you not email him, cc'ing everyone about his not attending all the meetings, listing them all, but sending comments in so unhelpfully as its about to be sent to the client.

He's not a team player at all and so damaging to moral, and not the first time either.

I would think that needs a huge spotlight on it.
What sort of organisation wouldn't frown on that?

This this, every single time he does it, an yes, cc everyone, everytime, why should he skip out of the calls when it’s affecting the deadline everytime.

It’s not professional at all, call him out!!!!

THIS.

I would send an email out at an appropriate point in the process, saying in bold Please note - all input to this project must be received by close of business 30 October. The pack will then be finalised and no further input can be considered

Then when he starts with his queries and suggestions, tell him he has missed the deadline and forward him a copy of the email.

It's my pet hate when people come along with amendments and alterations at the 11th hour, especially if they are senior and you have little choice but to comply.

The only way to deal with arseholes like this is ask, CCing everyone, "Why didn't you raise these issues earlier?" and/or "Excellent points, can you investigate them and have an answer for us all by Tuesday please"

Agree with this but 2 clear points need to be made by @RJ2023

1. The feedback was received far too late to be incorporated in the documents
2. The non attendance at the preceding project meetings

"I'd be inclined to send an email (cc'ing everyone if you feel particularly salty) advising him that he should have attended meetings X Y and Z on A B and C dates to raise any concerns or suggestions and that raising things an hour before sign off off is not helpful or professional."

This.

There used to be a character on, I think, the Fast Show - whose main phrase was something along the lines of "ooh you don't want to do it like that".

I assure you everyone else will already have decided this guy is a tit.