Work Email Etiquette Question

[dr.girlfriend]

I don't know why I'm dithering about this one.

A higher-level person asked me to do something for him, at the recommendation of my boss (e.g., review work of someone in another division). He apparently liked what I did, and emailed my boss, cc'ing me, telling him I did a very thoughtful and comprehensive job, etc. Very nice of him. My boss wrote back, saying he would keep that information in mind as he writes my letter for promotion, etc.

So, do I email the guy who sent me the accolades thanking him? My work culture is very opposed to unnecessary emails (e.g., if you send someone something and they send you back "thanks" people will be like, "why did you waste an email thanking me?") Plus, I was cc'd, which makes it seem more like an FYI. Should I thank him in person when I see him next at a meeting at the end of October, or just send him a quick, "thank you for your kind words" email?

[jene]

I would just thank him in person the next time I ran into him.

[mrssandro]

I would just thank him in person.

[Susie]

Oct 12, 2012 10:06:37 GMT -5 jene said:

I would just thank him in person the next time I ran into him.

+1

[Pilsy]

Since he went out of his way to compliment you, I dare say he's not vigilant about unnecessary emails. That said, I think saying something in person is fine, too. You can't go wrong, as long as you thank him at some point.

Good job, by the way.

[cole]

Ditto in person.

My only side-though is if the end of October meeting is one that may be canceled/rescheduled (we have a few like that notoriously getting delayed), it may be nice to have some sort of follow up via email instead.

[dr.girlfriend]

Oct 12, 2012 10:11:14 GMT -5 @esquirefish said:

I agree with the above. Or just swing by his desk/office and say thanks.

Not that you would be expected to know this, but he's at a different location, a 20-minute walk from me. I'm too lazy for that one!

;D

[DarcyLongfellow]

I would just leave it alone. I don't think he's expecting a thank you for the email he sent to your boss. If you happen to have a casual conversation with him at some point, you could mention that you enjoyed working with him and appreciated him expressing his opinion of your work to your boss, but I wouldn't go out of your way to do that in case it makes him feel awkward.

Maybe our corporate culture was different, but these sorts of emails were semi-common at my old firm. It was slightly different because the "thank you" emails tended to be from attorneys thanking support staff, whereas it sounds like the three of you are on the same level. But, just for comparison's sake, if I (for example) used a lot of different support staff (secretaries other than mine, the office services/copy room people) to get a huge mailing out, then I would send an email to all of the people who helped me out thanking them and I would copy the two office managers. The office managers were essentially their bosses, but not mine. I copied them so that they would get the kudos/credit when it came time for their annual review. I never got a return email thanking me because it would have been a bit awkward -- like a thank you for a thank you.

You know, come to think of it (after writing a novel above!), you could just respond to him (not cc'ing your boss) and say -- "I'm so glad my work was helpful to you. I look forward to working with you again!." That way you're acknowledging the kudos email, but not thanking him for thanking you.

[sa]

If it were me, I'd write a simple thanks (I really appreciate the kind words, blah blah blah).

However, my company is big on email, so I can't really see someone thinking this type of email would be strange.

[sweetnsour]

Honestly, I don't expect a thank you when I compliment coworkers especially in an email. I already know they appreciate it.