Posted on 12/08/2010 10:59:44 AM PST by jilliane
I sincerely apologize for the vanity post. I need advice from intelligent people in regards to a workplace problem. I've searched the internet, forums, career advice sites and can't find any relevant advice.
Dang, you’re good! I want you for a coworker.
Only thing I’ve seen that works is to approach somebody that had been victimized by a BCC communication and let them know that this boss uses BCC, and to refrain from putting anything in writing that could be used against them either formally or informally.
Under no circumstances should opinions about people go in emails at work, but many are relying on discretion being the better part of valor in their company.
You then encourage them to tell others they trust that any email going to this boss is likely to be BCC’d in the future, and that they should pick a different way to communicate with them - like VERBAL COMMS ONLY.
I had two jerkwad middle managers ask me why everybody insists on giving them written reports rather than attachments, and why they get so many calls from internal employees.
I told them, “Your staff got wind of you backstabbing them with blind carbon copies and stopped trusting you. Nobody wants to go on the record with you two clowns any more.”
An employee who does a good job and enjoys doing it is not willing to let a clueless boss wreck the situation. That advice you gave is worthless.
“Tire tracks all across your back. I can see you had your fun.” - Jimi Hendrix.
I suppose. More likely and fun would be to turn this thread into one that features "complaints filed against me to Human Resources"
The first complaint filed against me happened when I was a newly hired junior engineer in a union shop. Seems I had turned the lights on in a room that had my office off on the side. It was a union rule that only a union member could turn those lights on. I had committed the grievous act of coming to work early. The room was dark (no windows) and I couldn't see the way to my office door without the room lights.
You were turned into HR??? I never woulda guessed.
As will all the advice be that is given to a one-sided account about the oh so grievous nature of the email infraction on an anonymous internet forum.
I think you already know that my post was more of a STFU than advice.
And proud of it every time. Never even got a wrist slapped, more like back slaps. I've never met or heard of a whiny shit or a union coward amounting to much until they grow up and stand on their own.
Peer? That’d be good except he doesn’t have ‘peers’ in his view, just an audience with a great deal to learn from his “50,000 foot view of things.” He’s blathered on how his coaching sessions have been much needed by his boss who otherwise “stands alone in a complex situation that no one understands” (except for him of course, after all he’s been here for 5 months).
It does not. But when it comes FROM a BCC recipient, the original senders’ ruse is revealed.
I’m not aware of any prior relationship. I hope you’re right.
Do you think his boss would be open to discussing these issues? If not, do you have an HR department or something that can act as an advocate for the employee in such situations?
Thank you. I tested this and it works well. I will indeed reply all to him (I won’t know who got it though, right?)
There are times when HR is the proper way to go. Obviously, this manager isn't just making this individual's life miserable. For the sake of the company, he needs to be dealt with one way or the other. Otherwise, he will drive out all the talent in his particular area.
Getting HR involved in situations like this doesn't result in unionization. I would say that lack of response from the company in resolving the situation COULD do so.
Especially in this economy, not everyone can just hop from job to job when there is a problem boss. Good for you if you have such specialized and in-demand skills that you can do so. But most can't.
Very close to that kind of bureaucracy - yes, this is how he thinks everyone thinks. Right on.
Only the names you can see will get it - but they will have been alerted to his trick.
Wrong. You will be replying to just the recipients you see listed in the email. The other BCC recipients are not sent with the email, your email client can't possibly know who they are (that is the point of BCC).
√ sexual harassment
√ physical harassment
√ drug use
…
improper use of bcc by management (find a new job)
PS - when he complains that you’ve used “reply all” when you were bcc’d, make sure you have your best innocent face on - Oh, was I a bcc? I’m sorry, I didn’t notice that.
been there, done that
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