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Original poster

Circulated indiscreet email - WWYD

70 replies

LightShinesInTheDarkness · 04/08/2009 15:25

Simple story - person A sent me an email saying she was unhappy at being left out of a decision-making process. I forwarded to person B with a one-word (not rude) comment. Person B replied to me that person A did not need to be involved, as it was not her remit.
Rather short, curt email.

I've hit 'Reply All'. Sent the rude comment to Person A, Person B and one other. Person B has already seen the email.

I am absolutely mortified at my mistake. And for putting Person A in this awful position.

Anyone been in a similar position?
My stomach is churning so much I feel physically sick.

OP posts:
foxinsocks · 04/08/2009 16:17

you added a comment though? and you were the one that forwarded the initial email?

think you are guilty by association but not guilty of the crime

in your shoes, I'd probably be 3 pints down by now though so I'm impressed you're still at your desk

HolidaysQueen · 04/08/2009 16:18

Oh god no, Lightshines, I'm a liability with email and everyone would have resigned within 3 hours if I was let loose!

EyeballsintheSky · 04/08/2009 16:21

Was the comment that you added in response to the rude bit, or was it a constructive comment designed for person A? Was your comment on its own acceptable?

Original poster
LightShinesInTheDarkness · 04/08/2009 16:25

The comment I added on top of the rude bit was intended to sort things out for Person A.

Basically, I looked at the title of the email, added a helpful comment and sent it on to A and B. Forgetting B had put a derogatory bit in.

OP posts:
HolidaysQueen · 04/08/2009 16:32

In which case while you have enabled something horribly embarassing/mortifying to happen at work, you actually haven't done too much to be ashamed about yourself and it is really the other person's fault for being rude. They shouldn't take out their discomfort on you and make you feel like it is your fault.

Mortifying, but your fault in this is very small. I think your conscience is relatively clear.

EyeballsintheSky · 04/08/2009 16:36

OK, so I agree with HolidaysQueen. Unfortunate, but no reason why you should feel any more than a bit of a twit. Certainly talk of discipline and apology letters is unnecessary. But I do feel for you

morningpaper · 04/08/2009 16:43

Ah, so the person that typed the bad bit was B, and you didn't type anything compromising yourself?

In that case you don't need to worry too much - it is B that is the numpty here (although you look complicit and will look as though you are in the habit of sending caustic emails)

Original poster
LightShinesInTheDarkness · 04/08/2009 17:05

No, I have not written anything compromising at all - have just totally dropped B in it.

Still waiting for the phone to ring / my Inbox to explode.

OP posts:
EyeballsintheSky · 04/08/2009 17:08

What's been said so far? Obviously B has said something. What about A?

squeaver · 04/08/2009 17:09

I think you should speak to A before they see it.

squeaver · 04/08/2009 17:10

But then B should also speak to A

Will you let us know what happens?

Original poster
LightShinesInTheDarkness · 04/08/2009 17:11

B is just in a complete panic, not said anything about what might happen to me, just worried about what to say to A.

We are both waiting for A to find out, she won't be at desk till later.

OP posts:
BecauseImWorthIt · 04/08/2009 17:12

Can you not go to her PC and delete the e-mail before she sees it then?

Original poster
LightShinesInTheDarkness · 04/08/2009 17:13

x-posted

I suggested to B that one of us should ring A, but B not keen on that idea. I felt so guilty I wanted to try and put it right.

OP posts:
notwavingjustironing · 04/08/2009 17:13

But I thought you said you had apologised to A earlier in the thread? How have you done that if she hasn't found out yet?

Confused.

squeaver · 04/08/2009 17:14

That's what I would do, BIWI.

Original poster
LightShinesInTheDarkness · 04/08/2009 17:14

BIWI - lovely idea but she is 200 miles away!

OP posts:
GossipMonger · 04/08/2009 17:29

Again, I would like to say that quill pens should be brought back!

morningpaper · 04/08/2009 17:32

If she hasn't read it, go and offer a pizza/feel of breast to the I.T. boy and get him to unlock her computer and delete it now

EyeballsintheSky · 04/08/2009 17:40

If she is away from her desk and hasn't seen it yet then definitely get in there somehow and delete it. Has no one got her log in?

Miamla · 04/08/2009 17:46

if you worked at my company, I'd sneak onto the mail server and delete it for you. Asking someone in IT is definitely a good idea

Miamla · 04/08/2009 17:48

oh and pizza/cakes would work but offering your breast for me to feel wouldn't

i love how everyone assumes IT are boys! I got sent out of a meeting once because they'd asked for someone from IT to be there, not a girl! bloody cheek!

morningpaper · 04/08/2009 17:51

Yes if she's not read it it can be deleted from the server

if she's not logged on you can take the fuse out of her plug ...

I spent a long time as the I.T. monkey and did anything for pizza or breasts

LynetteScavo · 04/08/2009 18:21

Ok -s o get in your car, drive two hundred miles with cakes and pizza - bare your breasts and bego a stranger to delete an email.

This must me the most confusing thread ever.

Actually, I think you should pretend you are a hardend bitch, and don't give a damn about anything. So what is she resigns? [hard bitch emoticon]

Anyway, in the current economic climate, I dout she will.

StealthPolarBear · 04/08/2009 19:25

if she hasn't read it yet then a recall will definitely work (assuming you're using Outlook?)

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