Just now I got an E-mail from my supervisor the VP sent out to everyone on the team marked “for your review.” I found the head of the team’s name was spelled wrong. I started to reply to let her know about it. Then I canceled it. Then I started to reply again. Then I canceled it again. On the one hand, she might be glad to be alerted to fix a mistake before the higher-up saw it. On the other hand, my gut feeling is it’s very risky to correct one’s supervisor.
What would you do?
I’d do it. But I think it depends on your supervisor - what’s your experience with her like? How does she accept criticism? If she’s not one to take it well, then let someone else do it.
Of course, if I misspelled my higher-up’s name, I’d certainly want to know, wouldn’t you?
Tell your boss! (I’d probably stop by your boss’s office or call, rather than e-mail).
It’s a lot better to get corrected by someone you asked to review a document rather that by your superior.
I’d write something like, “I just wanted to send you a quick heads-up – X’s name was misspelled in your last e-mail. I’m sure it was just a typo, but I thought you’d like to know – I know you wouldn’t like it if I accidentally misspelled your name!”
A regular typo, I wouldn’t correct, but names are different.
I would go talk to my boss in person and point out the error. That way they can see that you’re not trying to be a smart ass or make them look/feel stupid. I have a really good relationship with my boss though and he would appreciate me pointing out the error to him. If you think your boss would get pissed I wouldn’t do anything about it.
I’m often asked to review or co-author documents, and my rule is this: If I am not credited, or credited only as a “Reviewed by:”, then I only correct errors of substance. People can write, “Plase you’re finger on the Enter key and let it remane their for 6 seconds”; as long as the logic is correct, I don’t care. But if I’m listed as a co-author, then I correct everything that looks wrong. I don’t pay any attention to whether the author ranks higher or lower than me.
So in your case, I would counsel that you not mention the error.
I would mention it. Obviously, your supervisor wants you to review the document for a reason. The reason is he or she wants help not looking like a moron.
I would not correct the error. You never know how people will react to this. Sometimes it can be BAD.
I guess it does depend on your relationship with your boss, though. If you really think she’ll appreciate the heads up, then go ahead. But if you suspect (as I think you do) that she might be offended - don’t bother. I mean, who needs the grief? Let someone who is more familiar with this supervisor tell her about the spelling error.
Was the it the typo kind, or the actual mistake kind?
If she typed John Smxth, I think that’s a typo, and it’s better to assume she also saw the mistake, so no need to mention it.
However, if she is calling him John Smyth, and you know FOR A FACT that he spells his name Smith, then it would be appropriate (IMHO) to point this out to her so she doesn’t continue to write Mr. Smyth in perpetuity. I think Scarlett’s suggestion is the tactful way to bring it up.
Oh, and as Scarlett suggested, use the word “typo” when talking to your boss, even if you personally think it is more of a “heinous error.”
The email was marked “for your review”, right? If I got an email in a work setting marked “for your review”, I’d assume I was supposed to check it for errors. Misspelled name = error. So, yeah, point it out.
Jomo Mojo, why do you feel that it’s “risky to correct one’s supervisor” when she’s asking you for your input? Is there something I’m missing here?
I’ve always been under the impression that your longevity in a position is partly made possible by helping your boss to look good. I would just point it out to the boss politely. If something like that made the boss feel stupid, then the boss is wee bit too insecure. Mistakes happen.
I’m really confused about why you wouldn’t the correction, when the whole point was to get your feedback. What’s so tough about saying “It looks good. Only thing I noticed was that you spelled Andsdfnsn Wysyshsneynsnsy’s name wrong.”
And your boss could be testing *you[/].
Since it is marked “for your review”, I would let the boss know. However my answer may be biased because I was an executive assistant and it was my job to help my boss look good.