Boss sending ranty emails whilst I’m on annual leave

[JH20000]

I know, I know, I shouldn’t have checked my work emails whilst I have two weeks off. However my out of office wasn’t apparently working so I logged on to double check I had it implemented.

I noticed an email sent today from my boss to me regarding a file I had been working on, I had accidentally forgotten to send someone on my team a document on Friday. Not the biggest issue in the world as my colleague can access my files with no problem. My boss has obviously got wind of it and has sent me an essay through email accusing me of doing it deliberately, about how pissed off he is about it, about how much extra work I’ve caused the team. It’s all completely uncalled for and has really upset me. He then sent another email saying how unimpressed he is of me. It’s ridiculously over the top and it just comes across at him ranting at me. In both emails he has cc’d in my entire team so they all got the pleasure of reading it.

I feel sick to my stomach as he regularly goes off ‘on one’ and it’s usually in my direction.

I know I’m going to dwell on this now. I’m not sure how to handle it when I return. I want to be professional but I’m sick of being on the end of these rants, always through email.

He sounds like a dick. Could you get another job?

I'd reply that you're equally unimpressed with him emailing you on annual leave and copying in the whole team.

I am thinking of starting to look for another role. I actually do enjoy my job so it would be a shame to leave

He'll need to watch himself..new labour laws coming in to make that illegal!

There will be other jobs out there with much nicer managers.

You don't need to put up with this.

Id go to HR and say he is bullying and undermining you and you want to raise a grievance. Get him off your back and in his box, while you find a new role. The process will take a while and he'll have to be on best behaviour. Best way to deal with bullies is to bite back.

💯 look for a new job.

i was in a similar situation and moved to do the same role with a competitor

extra £20k and no horrid boss

I would reply with an Out of Office:

Dear Colleagues,

I am out of the office until XXX.

All my work product can be easily accessed on my PC by doing YYY - please help yourself if you need anything.

yours,

JH20000

Reply to the first email explaining briefly that your colleague would have had no trouble accessing the file in question and aplogising for the oversight. CC your boss's boss.

Then consider forwarding the second email to your boss's boss and to HR ( send them the first, too) and indicate that you are thinking of making a formal complaint.

I would involve HR.

It sounds like bullying and copying everyone else was done to undermine and humiliate you.

Also start looking for a new role.

I like this idea. If he’s ranting and being unpleasant - let alone the fact that he is copying in others - then you are under no obligation to respond to him. Apart from being a not terribly nice person he is clearly also a terrible manager. I would leave as that type of leopard rarely changes its spots. Sorry that it’s spoiling your break away from work - do your best not to dwell, easier said than done I know, but do try and distract yourself and not let him take up space in your head rent-free.

Agree with @DadJoke or similar.

Something very minimal and neat which will contrast beautifully with the lengthy rant and without spelling it out make him look like the ranty knob he is.

I would respond….id be copying in his management team, his boss and HR too.

I do tend to have an attitude though.

I'd spend a couple of hours next week polishing my CV.
Then either before you go back, or just after going back, I would email HR and your bosses boss, saying that this behaviour is unwarranted and unacceptable and you are being singled out in front of the whole team over a non issue. Mention that it has happened before. Compile examples, even better if you have email or chat evidence.
Good luck. If you like your job I wouldn't let one wanker drive you out.

What an abusive cunt. Get a new job.

Life is too short to be stressed and bullied. I personally never thrived in any place which is not supportive of me

not the biggest career woman also, but I love applying for jobs and getting them

That is completely unprofessional conduct. Firstly to send a ranty email rather than address any issues in person with you on your return and secondly to copy in the team. I would be speaking to HR about how they are treating you. It doesn't sound like it will make it worse, but they may be able to tell him to reign it in.

👌👌👌👌👌👌

Yep, workplace bullying. All based on shaming you.

I'd definitely do the above suggestions and also start jobhunting.

It's very keyboard warrior too, isn't it?

Deeply unpleasant.

Straight to HR - I wouldn’t put up with that nonsense. How dare he.

This is terrible. Can you complain the HR. I would not stand for that. Look up your rights around this as much as you can and put a complaint in. The only thing I can say that might... Might... Make you feel better. Sometimes people act a certain way but it's nothing to do with you its to do with them... He is stressed or you intimidate him or he is depressed can't control his anger. Obviously its not a excuse at all but might make you feel better. Does he act like this with anyone else ?

Also don't let him push you out. Why should you look for a new job. Best thing you can do now is not let it bother you and deal with it after your holiday. Hugs x

This.
I would look for another job too.

I would type out a reply but schedule it to send when you’re back at work. That way, you get what you want to say out of your system so you’re not dwelling on it so much, but you aren’t engaging in an email back and forth while on leave. Plus, it also gives you time to edit if needed. But yes, I would definitely be looking elsewhere too.