Would this upset you? (Work related) *Update in replies*

[firelight1210]

At my job, we are regularly told and encouraged to "share our knowledge". Yesterday, I was showing a new employee a process, and it came out that my other colleague, a seasoned employee, wasn't aware of how to do it either. They recommended that I send an email to our region (about 25) people explain it, because we have a lot of new hires in this area and it did help make the process smoother.

I spent about fifteen minutes putting the email together (screen shots, step by step, etc) and sent it out. Must of my colleagues were appreciative.

I come back from lunch, and see that the manager of another branch has responded, and responded TO ALL (intentional, not an accident) basically saying don't use that process, it's outdated and this us the process to use.

I'm not mad about there being an easier way, that's great! But the way that she did it really bothers me. It was embarrassing, and, in my opinion, unprofessional to essentially call me out. I think a better way would have been to email JUST me, and I could send a correction myself, while giving her credit for the update.

I'm debating mentioning this to my manager. I know that this manager, C, is likely BEC with me, because she is constantly doing things like this, to have the last word our site that she knows the most, but never to this extent - usually just adding her two cents to someone else's email, not saying, no, you're wrong.

Would this piss you off? Would you let it go? Or talk to your manager? Am I being a baby?

[suzannesugarbaker]

I wouldn't throw a hissy fit about it, but I would mention it to my manager for sure.

[sunshineluv]

Would it upset me? Yes.

Would I do anything about it other than being pissed off for a few minutes? No.

This does not warrant a discussion with your manager.

[knx9211]

Meh, I don't think she was wrong to reply all. You sent it to everyone. Just correcting you wouldn't have been enough - she needed to let everyone know the correct procedure now that you had given them the "wrong" one. I understand being embarrassed, but there is certainly nothing to report here. Could she have emailed it to just you? Yeah, sure. But I just don't think it's that big of a deal. You'd have to backtrack anyway, so it's 6 of one half dozen of the other.

[Deleted]

It would really anger me/upset me/embarrass me. There are kinder ways to do things. And yes, sending you an updated process and not "reply all" would have been far superior.

I would honestly let it go. Even if I was pissed, people won't often change. I think most people on that email likely raised their eyebrows. It looks unprofessional.

[firelight1210]

I didn't respond to her email, I just didn't know what to say. I can't talk to her directly, in my organization, it's very "chain of command" heavy. I just didn't know if I was feeling too much about it because I already just generally dislike her.

Eta: holy cap, how many times can I say "just" in one post? Apparently, many. I promise I grammar better usually.

[jlt19]

This would definitely piss me off. I'm not sure what I'd do about it though (if anything). Sorry, that sucks.

[atlas]

I understand why you feel slighted. I would probably email back to her only. "Thanks! I had no idea there was an easier way." I wouldn't talk to your manager about it.

[aliciaflorrick]

I think there was a better way for the manager to handle it. That said, I would have gotten the OK from my manager prior to sending the email.

[mrssandro]

I wouldn't be pissed. A little embarrassed maybe. I work for a big corp where process seems to change daily. Try to just roll with it. You can be graceful and say thank for letting me know about the new process. Or you can simply ignore. Don't draw negative attention to it. Not worth it.

[ECB]

May 12, 2016 9:24:35 GMT -5 firelight1210 said:

 in my organization, it's very "chain of command" heavy.

Which seems to contradict, to some degree, the concept of sharing knowledge!  

[chchchia]

I would be upset. I think she should have replied to you and told you, this is the easier way and then you could send out an email and give her credit. I am a big praise in public, reprimand in private and to me when someone hits the reply all with a correction it bothers me.
I hate reply all's anyway.

[Deleted]

I would be irritated. I would probably talk with your manager about it, simply to ask if there's a better way to 'show your knowledge.' Because peers did find your information helpful, and anyone else encouraged to do the same thing may face the same experience being called out. Take it from the perspective that it could be rough on company morale, rather than a 'look what she did to me!!!!.'

[firelight1210]

May 12, 2016 9:32:17 GMT -5 ECB said:

May 12, 2016 9:24:35 GMT -5 firelight1210 said:

 in my organization, it's very "chain of command" heavy.

Which seems to contradict, to some degree, the concept of sharing knowledge!  

Oh, don't get me started, lol. This company is full of contradictions and communication mishaps.

[beefcheeks]

I think I'd be more embarrassed for myself than upset with her. From her perspective, someone who is not a manager just sent out procedures that are outdated or incorrect and now someone needs to clarify the procedures in order to keep people from doing things in an outdated manner. I understand that replying just to you and having you send out the correction would have saved face for you, but as a manger, I would have wanted to clarification to come from me (or another manager), just to avoid further confusion. That said, I think there is a right and a wrong way for her to do that. Like, "Nooooo Sally is wrong, don't do that!!" vs. "In our branch we've been finding that XYZ works better and so that is the procedure that should be followed by all branches" Or whatever. I apologize if this is harsh. I am sorry this happened, though. It sounds like you were just trying to be helpful, which is great.

[memenee]

Ugh - sorry this happened to you.

I would definitely feel *something* - just not sure if it would be anger or embarrassment though.

I would probably respond to her, thanking her for sharing a more streamlined/updated process. Or if you are so inclined yu can respond to all thanking her for sharing the new process and advising all to follow this one and kindly disregard your previous email. Essentially you being the bigger person and letting it go.

On the plus side, I am sure you learned something and will never send something out like that again without double checking for most recent company policy/procedure.

[memenee]

May 12, 2016 9:42:47 GMT -5 aeg511 said:

If there was a newer, easier way, why wasn't everyone notified of this before?

Good question!

[firelight1210]

May 12, 2016 9:42:47 GMT -5 aeg511 said:

If there was a newer, easier way, why wasn't everyone notified of this before?

Please see previous response of contradictions and communication mishaps, ha.

[beefcheeks]

May 12, 2016 9:41:22 GMT -5 memenee said:

Ugh - sorry this happened to you.

I would definitely feel *something* - just not sure if it would be anger or embarrassment though.

I would probably respond to her, thanking her for sharing a more streamlined/updated process. Or if you are so inclined yu can respond to all thanking her for sharing the new process and advising all to follow this one and kindly disregard your previous email. Essentially you being the bigger person and letting it go.

On the plus side, I am sure you learned something and will never send something out like that again without double checking for most recent company policy/procedure.

Do NOT do this. Do not reply all. Do not say anything to anyone. Do not complain to your manager. Just try to move on. 

[firelight1210]

May 12, 2016 9:37:52 GMT -5 beefcheeks said:

I think I'd be more embarrassed for myself than upset with her. From her perspective, someone who is not a manager just sent out procedures that are outdated or incorrect and now someone needs to clarify the procedures in order to keep people from doing things in an outdated manner. I understand that replying just to you and having you send out the correction would have saved face for you, but as a manger, I would have wanted to clarification to come from me (or another manager), just to avoid further confusion. That said, I think there is a right and a wrong way for her to do that. Like, "Nooooo Sally is wrong, don't do that!!" vs. "In our branch we've been finding that XYZ works better and so that is the procedure that should be followed by all branches" Or whatever. I apologize if this is harsh. I am sorry this happened, though. It sounds like you were just trying to be helpful, which is great.

No, I get it. Maybe the anger came from defensiveness as well. So I won't say anything to my manager. Combo of defensiveness and "don't like that bitch" for the emotional win. Thanks for talking me down!

[beefcheeks]

May 12, 2016 9:46:08 GMT -5 firelight1210 said:

May 12, 2016 9:42:47 GMT -5 aeg511 said:

If there was a newer, easier way, why wasn't everyone notified of this before?

Please see previous response of contradictions and communication mishaps, ha.

This is how my workplace is, as well, and it can be so difficult to navigate!  Ugh.  it sucks.

[ECB]

May 12, 2016 9:42:47 GMT -5 aeg511 said:

If there was a newer, easier way, why wasn't everyone notified of this before?

Of anything, though, I feel that this is a way to approach your manager.  It's not about complaining about what she did but asking for clarification and then asking YOUR manager why this wasn't communicated. 

[MixedBerryJam]

May 12, 2016 9:47:41 GMT -5 firelight1210 said:

May 12, 2016 9:37:52 GMT -5 beefcheeks said:

I think I'd be more embarrassed for myself than upset with her. From her perspective, someone who is not a manager just sent out procedures that are outdated or incorrect and now someone needs to clarify the procedures in order to keep people from doing things in an outdated manner. I understand that replying just to you and having you send out the correction would have saved face for you, but as a manger, I would have wanted to clarification to come from me (or another manager), just to avoid further confusion. That said, I think there is a right and a wrong way for her to do that. Like, "Nooooo Sally is wrong, don't do that!!" vs. "In our branch we've been finding that XYZ works better and so that is the procedure that should be followed by all branches" Or whatever. I apologize if this is harsh. I am sorry this happened, though. It sounds like you were just trying to be helpful, which is great.

No, I get it. Maybe the anger came from defensiveness as well. So I won't say anything to my manager. Combo of defensiveness and "don't like that bitch" for the emotional win. Thanks for talking me down!

I think you can approach your manager for a discussion without it devolving into a complaint about a manager who, really, was just doing his or her job, managing. You can talk to your manager from the perspective of, "This is how we've been doing it, and I'm concerned that there might be other processes that we're behind the times on. Can we start documenting all these processes so when we have new hires this kind of thing doesn't happen to someone else, because I was a little embarrassed to have sent out wrong information to everyone." Then you look like a team player, take responsibility for your mistake, and show project leadership. And don't underestimate how important process documentation is!

[chchchia]

May 12, 2016 9:58:27 GMT -5 MixedBerryJam said:

May 12, 2016 9:47:41 GMT -5 firelight1210 said:

No, I get it. Maybe the anger came from defensiveness as well. So I won't say anything to my manager. Combo of defensiveness and "don't like that bitch" for the emotional win. Thanks for talking me down!

I think you can approach your manager for a discussion without it devolving into a complaint about a manager who, really, was just doing his or her job, managing. You can talk to your manager from the perspective of, "This is how we've been doing it, and I'm concerned that there might be other processes that we're behind the times on. Can we start documenting all these processes so when we have new hires this kind of thing doesn't happen to someone else, because I was a little embarrassed to have sent out wrong information to everyone." Then you look like a team player, take responsibility for your mistake, and show project leadership. And don't underestimate how important process documentation is!

This.

Honestly though b/c I think I am thinking the same way you do and I would have been upset at the reply all, when I see someone do that to someone else, I always think the reply all person is the jerk and could have handled it better.  It feels more salty when it is coming from someone you don't like.

[Deleted]

If it was me I would be pissed and annoyed but take my lumps and move on. I would also respond to her directly and thank her for the clarification of the process (be positive). Then I would talk to my manager about how to communicate this process more effectively throughout the organization (being proactive). If your manager doesn't seem to be interested in taking on this task due to the afore mentioned communication issues, I would let it lie and move on. Corporate America is such a bitch to navigate. It is amazing anything gets done sometimes!

[firelight1210]

As an update - my manager actually mentioned it to me today, and thanked me for taking the initiative to send it out. She has noticed that C does this frequently (even done it to herself a couple of times), and kind of said that it is a little bit of "just the way she is". However, she might see if it needs to be escalated, because, as a few of you all have mentioned, it does make it more... intimidating, I guess, to send future emails when you feel like a micropenis after one of her "follow ups".

So, thanks to all of you for keeping me from stomping into my manager's office, and it looks like it might be self resolving!

[SuziSaysDa]

That is a great update, I love it when managers support their team like this. I am also happy to hear it might be escalated, as a manager, I would want to discuss with my manager b/c I hate it when someone on my team gets publicly criticized for taking initiative like this and think it should be addressed.

[orangello]

May 12, 2016 11:55:17 GMT -5 firelight1210 said:

As an update - my manager actually mentioned it to me today, and thanked me for taking the initiative to send it out. She has noticed that C does this frequently (even done it to herself a couple of times), and kind of said that it is a little bit of "just the way she is". However, she might see if it needs to be escalated, because, as a few of you all have mentioned, it does make it more... intimidating, I guess, to send future emails when you feel like a micropenis after one of her "follow ups".

So, thanks to all of you for keeping me from stomping into my manager's office, and it looks like it might be self resolving!

Sorry you're going through this, but the bolded made me literally LOL - I've had days like this, and never knew before today how to accurately sum up how I was feeling.  So, thank you