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Original poster

Employers/Annual Leave shitty email

20 replies

Timefortea99 · 31/08/2017 19:54

Without going into specifics my line manager and I have had a disagreement about something they did - basically they excluded me and did not send me key information. That's an aside. I am on leave for the next 2 and a half weeks - today was my first day on leave. My line manager knows I am on leave, she authorised it.

I received an email today in which she has asked me to reflect on the issue whilst I am on leave. It was a shitty email with inaccuracies, basically asking me whether I should continue on a project. So, she knows I am on leave. There is every chance I would not have seen the email because why would I be checking emails. But clearly she has sent the email knowing that I would check - and the email can do nothing but spoil my holiday. It won't because I am now at peak anger, which is when I go cold and ruthless. But is there some rule etc that can stop employers doing that? Sending shitty emails when on leave?

OP posts:

GahBuggerit · 31/08/2017 20:00

No, no rule stopping employers sending emails when on leave as it's the employees choice to check their emails.

NewIdeasToday · 31/08/2017 20:00

I'm sure there is no such rule. How could that possibly be practical?

Why did you read the email if you're on leave?

To be honest this all sounds like a side issue. You need to work out how to deal with the core issues here. Would you feel better if you reply now so you don't spend the next two weeks thinking of potential relies?

PiratePanda · 31/08/2017 20:01

Don't reply to the email; not now, not ever. Pretend you never saw it and it ended up in your junk.

HarrisHawk · 31/08/2017 20:11

No of course there's no such rule.

If you think she's bullying you, call acas for legal advice.

Original poster

Timefortea99 · 31/08/2017 20:30

This was the first day of my leave so to all intents and purposes I was uncontactable. I was at home.

Tomorrow I am going on holiday, and was not going to check emails. I am not taking any devices with me. I did a couple of emails today to keep another project moving. They were not copied into those emails, they are not involved in that project. They would not know I was online, I don't make a habit of checking emails when I am not at work. Wish I hadn't this time, and won't be doing it ever again.

They sent me an email a day after I was on leave asking me to reflect on something whilst I was on leave which seems wrong on several accounts - if I did read it, it is such a shitty email it could do nothing but spoil my holiday. If I did not read it because they sent it while I was on leave - how can I reflect on something that was sent after I went off. Seems such an ill judged and downright nasty thing to do. It could cause stress, but I won't allow it.

But I want to be armed with info for when I return.

OP posts:

GahBuggerit · 31/08/2017 20:33

It's clearly something that needs tacking, but there is no issue with the sending of the email.

daisychain01 · 31/08/2017 21:12

Let's face it, it's a mind-fuck. She wanted to upset you, she knew sending you the email would rile you and it wasn't done to be supportive or helpful to you.

I'd try to put it in perspective, enjoy your well earned holiday and deal with the situation when you get back to work. Don't let her get to you, or she'll have won.

HundredMilesAnHour · 01/09/2017 01:04

You seem to be focussing on the wrong things. Your manager is perfectly entitled to see you an email when you're on leave. You don't have to check your email but you did. So rather than kicking off about the email, why don't you actually reflect on whatever this disagreement is about rather than getting all stroppy about them sending you an email. Or choose to forget about the email and deal with it when you're back at work.

zippydoodaar · 01/09/2017 06:30

Don't reply.

If she asks you about it when you get back then say, "Oh yes, I saw that this morning...." Leave her hanging. Don't say you are going to do anything about it. She wants you to be annoyed. Don't be. Not commenting will have a far greater effect.

Who asks a staff member to think about an issue that happened while they're away on their holiday? At the end of the day, she sounds like a shit boss. Do you really want to work for her anyway?

zippydoodaar · 01/09/2017 06:34

I have found that mastering the art of pretending you haven't got a clue what someone is talking about especially helpful. I also have selective hearing. Barbed comments don't have the same impact when they have to be repeated two or three times. Trust me, it works!

daisychain01 · 01/09/2017 06:51

I agree, zippy, not a very impressive use of email. Any boss who needs to 'get the last word in' before their direct report goes on their holiday won't get the best out of that person.

It would have been better to let the dust settle and return to the matter when the employee had been away from work, rather than effectively saying "off you go and stew in your own juices for two and a half weeks". And doing it by email, is pretty low-down.

Shakey15000 · 01/09/2017 13:55

Hope you have a lovely holiday. I know the feeling!

I was summoned,the day before I was due to fly to Greece for two weeks, that my probation was going to be extended by the maximum 3months and by the way, here's a written warning, you can appeal if you want No prior warning that anything was amiss with my performance whatsoever.

Totally ruined my holiday, I went from ranting and raving to bawling my eyes out worrying about losing my job. Made more frustrating as I wasn't in a position to actually do anything until I returned.

Gorgosparta · 01/09/2017 17:50

While the email contents are shitty.

Absolutely can an employer send emails to your work email when you are off.

Its your choice if you log on or not.

I think the content is well out of order and if you wantes to complain you could. But i would keep it to the content of the email.

Horsemad · 01/09/2017 18:07

Why on earth are you checking your email if you are on leave?!

keeponworking · 01/09/2017 18:24

OPs choice to whether she logged on or not.

Total fuckery from her manager though - absolutely unacceptable as a way of raising this issue/these issues - a competent and experienced manager might give a heads up (before you left work for your annual leave) that they wanted to discuss it further, but that discussion should have been face to face - you can't discuss it over an email!

OP, think of it as an opportunity - to think of a rebuttal to all the points and clarification of the inaccuracies, and a chance (possibly the day before you go back to work) to be prepared as I wouldn't be surprised if she springs a meeting on you when you get back.

Don't worry, I've just had two weeks off with a grievance hanging over me but you know what, bugger it. It'll hold until you get back - honestly, I'd put it to one side OR write a response/statement/chronological timeline the first couple of days of your holiday and then don't think about it for the rest of your hols.

keeponworking · 01/09/2017 18:26

Hotsemad, lots of people do so - because maybe we're project managers and we are so committed and motivated to keep things going forward in those projects that we will log in from time to time. Lots of my colleagues do it and so do I - not all the time obviously.

And personally, since this bs grievance was raised against me I've not checked mine once since I went on hollies - didn't even bring my laptop home.

Horsemad · 01/09/2017 18:32

Nope, when I'm on leave I'm ON LEAVE!

Too many people have a 'work can't cope without me' complex. I see it all the time in my own workplace.
There is NOTHING that won't wait until you return after your break.

Then they are complaining that they have no work life balance...

PuffinNose · 01/09/2017 21:21

I've had that; emails that were sent when they knew they wouldn't be picked up so they could say "well I sent it, it's not my fault you didn't read it" or, like you with the intention of negatively impacting leave.
I make a point of never checking my emails etc if I'm not at work now.
The first few times were a bit... worrying? But now I make it clear I won't be checking and if I'm the only person who can deal with an issue then I need a payrise!
Refuse to think about the email/work for x number of days. You are probably going to get a bit stressed about it before going back to work so refuse to think about it before then.
Then, if possible, NO WORK for the rest of ypur leave, especially emails.
Hope you get it sorted. X

PuffinNose · 01/09/2017 21:26

And definately follow Zippy's advice!

BossyBitch · 04/09/2017 18:13

Nothing wrong with sending mails to people who are on leave - I do it all the time, mostly because I can't be arsed to keep a task list of 'emails to send to X upon their return'. I don't expect anyone to read them, though.

Personally, I ask people to go via my boss on critical stuff when I'm on leave. If it's actually both urgent and important, he'll know how to get hold of me. Anyone who doesn't know which person 'my boss' refers to and isn't in posession of my private mobile number has no business wanting me urgently.

This kind if thing falls within 'ignore and after you get back ignore some more'.

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