I got the following e-mail from my assistant. I’m not sure if she sent it to me accidentally, because I find it rather inappropriate.
In the e-mail, “Jane” is me and “Susan” is my own boss. The e-mail was sent 1 hour and 6 minutes after I left for lunch (the “normal” lunch period is 1 hour).
"Jane went to lunch with Susan and it’s almost always an extended lunch and I am hungry!"
I was a bit taken aback by it. Does anyone else find this kind of odd? As background, I do go to lunch with my boss maybe once a week and it usually does last about 1.5 hours. However, I almost never take lunch on the other days and my assistant can go whenever she wants - if I am taking an actual lunch, I work my own lunch around the time she wants to go.
Looks like an accident to me. I would just ignore it, or mention that it came to you, if you don’t think she would be too upset. It’s not like she’s planning mutiny or anything.
If you’re going to lunch with your boss and it runs late, then isn’t that on the boss, not you? I know if I was out with my boss and someone came up to me and said I was taking too long of a lunch, I’d tell them to take it up with my boss (actually, I’d prob’ly tell them something a touch more assertively virulant, but you get the idea).
I’m guessing this wasn’t supposed to go to you, so who was it for?
She is good and I think that if she sent it on purpose, she meant it as kind of a joke. I just don’t think it came out too well. I wasn’t even planning to mention it to her unless she brings it up. It just made me raise my eyebrows a little.
Was it cc’d to anyone else? If so, depending on your level of authority, I would cc it back to them–also cc’ing to your boss–with a terse and formal statement that their superiors’ schedule is not under their purview, and suggest that a rididly scheduled lunch for them (which they’d obviously dislike) might be a solution.
…And really hate managing people for this very reason. I find “upward delegation” particularly offensive.
Personally, I would ignore the e-mail, but find some way to review the lunchtime policy with her: you do not have to wait for me to come back before you leave. Unless your policy is that someone has to be there at all times – then you simply stress communication and what I like to call in staff meetings, “basic consideration skills.” (I’m sure I actually have to review how to be considerate with adults.) I’d also let her know that it’s inappropriate for her to worry about how much time you spend at lunch. How does she know you weren’t having a business meeting?
Also, as a manager, I tell my staff, “when you’re with the boss, you’re working.” And then I take them to the park for a “tree break” or something completely silly and non-work related. They think they get some special privelege becuase I’m letting them screw around for a little while, while I am trying only to build trust, respect and my own leadership skills…call it a teambuilder!
Point being, I would not ignore the e-mail, nor would I make a huge issue of it – especially if it was a mistake. She surely has some resentment going on and that should be aired out so it doesn’t fester and cause a mutiny. Unless you can replace her with a more qualified candidate for less salary… in which case I’d terminate her for misuse of company e-mail or some such legally airtight, but bullshit excuse.
I dunno, I think in a sane world, you could just go to her a say “What did you mean by this?” Then you could know: is it a joke? are their festering resentment you should know about? And she would tell you.
You haven’t fired her yet? How can you put up with such insubordination?
In all seriousness, as I read it, it sounds to me more like a “I’m sooooooo hungry” whine and not so much like a “Jane is taking too long on her lunch break” whine. That’s how I read it.
I would ignore the email. And probably not post any more company emails on a message board as that is probably against your company policy. This could cause you some big problems. And if your company backs up their computers, everything you type on your computer is probably saved for 30 days, just something to think about.
I’d e-mail her back. “Were you hinting that I should bring you back something?” or something equally tongue and cheek. If she sent it accidentally, she’s probably embarrassed and would appreciate acknowledgement that you read it and aren’t offended. If she sent it on purpose, I’d say it was a pretty mild criticism and I’d forget about it.
Gee, betenoir, I’ll bet you’re not very good at office politics, are you?
I agree, though. Wouldn’t it be nice if everyone in the world could just say what they mean? And not keep what they’re thinking bottled up inside them and presenting a false front to the world?
Barring that, I, too, think Pundit Lisa’s idea inspired.
Thanks everyone. I really think she just meant it as a joke. We’re not super formal in my office, and my asst. and I get along quite well. So I’m not going to say anything.
ultress, don’t worry - I am the one who decides the company policies.
When I get e-mails by accident (I’m amazed at how often it happens), I ususally just send it right back, no comment. You could do that just to let her know you got it, and then don’t say anything. Or you could really give her something to talk about:
Hallelujah! I’m with you on that, brother! I do not understand how people go through life trying to figure out what people REALLY mean and think…what a pain. be yourself. Be true. Be honest without being cruel and your life will be 1000 times better for it.
That said, I think MISS BUNNY is being really sensitive. There is no judgment in what she said, it sounds like a statement of pure fact. She says it’s usually long, and her assistant was saying that she was hungry and ready to go for her own lunch.
