Nasty Emails from Colleague

AndyPK

I would just try and forget about it if you like your job.

I would avoid getting HR involved or discussing it directly.

zugzwang

Ladybird1975 wrote: »

Hi I need some advice, I have been covering for a colleague while they are off sick and while checking their emails I have found an email to a colleague which says some nasty things about me, the colleague in question does often put me down in front of other staff and the boss. What is the best way to handle this

I'd consider talking to your colleague about your working relationship. Try to build a bridge. No need to mention the email.

But use your own judgement.

marmitepotato

A while ago when I worked for a large electrical company, one of my colleagues was the recipient of a nasty email. He told our boss, the boss asked for it to be forwarded to him. An investigation was started, the sender of the nasty email was sacked. The moral of the story...if you are going to be nasty, say it in private and don't be stupid enough to put it in an email, text message or any other form of media. I wouldn't hesitate in reporting this incident to my boss.

Yorkie1

I agree that it's relevant whether the OP has official access to the email account. I have access to my manager's inbox for when he's on holiday - but not to his other folders e.g. sent / filed etc.

Ladybird1975

we all have access to each others inbox. I was checking to make sure that there was nothing urgent i needed to deal with while they are off sick. The email in question had a work reference in the subject line for a case we both have been dealing with. The problem i have its a small office of 4 and we have no HR team. I am not sure whether to confront this person with the evidence and ask for an explanation or just ignore it

geri1965_2

Something like this would have to be reported in our office.

bluesnake

Jordo wrote: »

This is what I'd consider doing:

2) play it cool, email the email to yourself, CCing the person in and say "interesting" in the subject line or something like that. Chances are they'll be mortified and that will be the end of it.

Very sure this is bad advice.

Had an ex-colleague whos job it is to repair laptops. He found files titled with his name on a manager's PC of who is in charge another section, and that manager did not interact with ex-colleague on a normal working basis. The ex-colleague emailed the ex-colleagues manager with a copy of the emails, shortly after the ex-colleague got suspended for gross misconduct, and promptly fired.

I would export the files to my own usb key - no paper trails and tell no one. To be honest, I would probably consider exporting everything.

Under the data protection act, request all emails going back as as the number of years you have been working there.

Now when you're alone with the person next time, I would say that something along the lines that you have been approached by personnel/Manager (you want a level above her line manager, better not to say a name and imply) and that someone instigated ???

Also after a few month have passed you cans say to your manager that you heard people talking and that ????

I believe some people are great back stabbers - scorpions, and it is in their nature and will not be mortified, just you are and possibly always will be an easy target.

Revenge is a dish best served cold, and when planning, dig two graves.

Denning.

bluesnake wrote: »

Very sure this is bad advice.

Had an ex-colleague whos job it is to repair laptops. He found files titled with his name on a manager's PC of who is in charge another section, and that manager did not interact with ex-colleague on a normal working basis. The ex-colleague emailed the ex-colleagues manager with a copy of the emails, shortly after the ex-colleague got suspended for gross misconduct, and promply fired.

I would export the files to my own usb key - no paper trails and tell no one. To be honest, I would probably consider exporting everything. Under the data protection act request all emails going back as as the number of years you have been working there.

Now when you're alone with the person next time, I would say that something along the lines that you have been approached by personnel/Manager (you want a level above her line manager, better not to say a name and imply) and that someone instigated ???

Also after a few month have passed you cans say to your manager that you heard people talking and that ????

I believe some people are great back stabbers - scorpions, and it is in their nature and will not be mortified, just you are and possibly always will be an easy target.

Revenge is a dish best served cold, and when planning, dig two graves.

Data Protection Act doesn't allow you to steal work emails because they may be about you.

[Deleted User]

I once had a colleague write something about me which stung to read when it unfortunately fell out of my manager's intray (I was leaving..) so I took great delight in making copies and posting it everywhere for other colleagues to see and needless to say I didn't work my full notice ! backfired though when an apology came in a very weird form (a text message as if bound for someone else) and the given excuse of "it was simply because it was the time of month" I ended up the one being told off for non camaraderie

Now much older I would deal with it so differently, not sure I would tackle anybody in the above way, believe in karma (it works even if not immediate!)

bluesnake

No, it does not allow you to steal. I'll modify it and put it on a separate paragraph

However it does grant employees and customers to legitimately have the right to see their personal information by making a subject access request.

Thanks