Copying others into an email

JackeeBoy

Is it just me, or does anyone else here have an issue with it? I am talking about when it is unnecessary to do so, I just have a big problem with it.

I have it both ways. I could be in an email conversation with someone internally where my language may be a little loose. They then suddenly decide respond but copy in the world and its wife.

I also have it where I am copied into stuff that has nothing to do with me. It actually takes notable time to decipher whether it's important or not and press the delete button. I purposely don't copy in my boss or anyone else in all the time unless they need to see the email. Otherwise it just clogs up the mail box.

Brynsam

You have a 'big problem' with something this trivial? Minor irritation, possibly - but really...first world 'problem' !

ChrisK....._3

You should expect your recipient to recruit witnesses when you are getting a "little loose" with them in an email.

JackeeBoy wrote: »

Is it just me, or does anyone else here have an issue with it? I am talking about when it is unnecessary to do so, I just have a big problem with it.

I have it both ways. I could be in an email conversation with someone internally where my language may be a little loose. They then suddenly decide respond but copy in the world and its wife.

I also have it where I am copied into stuff that has nothing to do with me. It actually takes notable time to decipher whether it's important or not and press the delete button. I purposely don't copy in my boss or anyone else in all the time unless they need to see the email. Otherwise it just clogs up the mail box.

steampowered

In my job it is customary to have quite a few people on copy (professional services).

Usually the internal team working on the matter would all be copied in any emails, as well as the client team - so typically at least 6 or 7 people.

I don't put anything on email that I would be embarassed to see forwarded on. Save the loose language for the water cooler.

engineer_amy

I copy in line managers when sending important info to people who, historically, tend to "not see the email" (read as ignore), deny all knowledge of ever having been contacted, or discussing the item in question, or blaming the sender for not doing their job properly.
it is covering my !!!!! essentially, but ive had too many instances of being accused of not informing someone in particular about something, then had to go back to my records to prove I have done it. Now it takes 2 seconds to copy in their line manager, then its up to the line manager to chase it with that person.

TBagpuss

I think in a work environment it is very common - I don't think there is any expectation of privacy with regard to work-related e-mails.
If I copy someone on an e-mail chain it is because I think it's relevant for them to be aware of it.
I agree that it can be annoying if you are copied in on things which you don't need to know about, and there are specific situations where copying in others is problematic but in general, I think it is fairly normal in a workplace.

If you have a specific coworker who does it a lot in situations you feel it isn't appropriate, then by all means speak to them in person about it, to try to understand why they do it and perhaps ask them not to do so routinely, or alternatively be aware that if you e-mail them, they are likely to copy in your manager (or whatever has been happening) and word your mails with that in mind.

TELLIT01

In order to ensure that all those who need to know are informed, some people do use 'reply all' far more than is necessary or helpful. It can be annoying having to read, or reread, an e-mail to find out if any of it is relevant to you, but it's difficult to control.

If I received an e-mail addressed to me, with others copied into it, I would respond to the original sender. The main exception would be when a question was posed to a group, then I would reply all so any responses were seen by the whole group.


I would always keep wording and terminology in a work e-mail 'professional' because you never know where it might end up!

Dox

JackeeBoy wrote: »

Is it just me, or does anyone else here have an issue with it? I am talking about when it is unnecessary to do so, I just have a big problem with it.

I have it both ways. I could be in an email conversation with someone internally where my language may be a little loose. They then suddenly decide respond but copy in the world and its wife.

Sounds like it's you.

Maybe keep your language professional and polite if you're writing work e-mails?

JCS1

But it is so frustrating/annoying when your manager/team leader is copied into something which is simple and routine.

And it tends to be the same people all the time......

and breathe.......:D

jonnygee2

I certainly have a problem with the inefficiency of too many people copied in or a too long email chain. As soon as one starts, I phone the sender, clarify whats going on, and then update it with something like -this has been resolved - . Or if it's not for me, I am very efficient at scanning and filing, I probably scan about 3-4 email chains an hour. Email chains are a huge waste of time.

In terms of copying in bosses etc though, I long since learned to keep all emails succinct and friendly. Basically, every email I write, I'd be happy for anyone in the company to see it, unless its a HR thing etc.

Anything even remotely resembling conflict, pick up the phone or schedule time to talk in person.

Savvy_Sue

engineer_amy wrote: »

I copy in line managers when sending important info to people who, historically, tend to "not see the email" (read as ignore), deny all knowledge of ever having been contacted, or discussing the item in question, or blaming the sender for not doing their job properly.
it is covering my !!!!! essentially, but ive had too many instances of being accused of not informing someone in particular about something, then had to go back to my records to prove I have done it. Now it takes 2 seconds to copy in their line manager, then its up to the line manager to chase it with that person.

I would regularly upset one of my former colleagues by doing a cc to their line manager when I was passing on a phone message for the THIRD time.

I apologised, but explained that I was acting in support of my team, who were having to take increasingly irate messages, simply because this colleague did not use their time in the office to return calls. They also didn't update their online diary very well, so that we couldn't even say "I'm so sorry X is not here, we expect them to be back this afternoon, yes I have passed on your previous messages and I will pass this one on too, but you could try phoning after 2.30 pm."

Now, I'm often told I send too many emails and probably to too many people, but I hate it when I have absolutely no idea about something which my team needs to know about so I'm probably over compensating.

My manager filters emails from me into a special folder and skims them all at once. Often I am just passing information on, otherwise when I need a decision they haven't seen the information on which they're basing the decision! At least if I've cc-ed them I can stand at their desk while they search for what I sent them.