My boss wants to be copied on all of my emails related to my job! I am a professional with 2 advanced degrees (law and business) and have several years related experience. I started my job two months ago and everything seemed fine, but today, she requested I copy her on all of my work-related emails. I told her it made me feel stiffled, less credible with colleagues, and made me feel that she could not rely on my professional expertise. I offered alternatives such as having periodic updates with her to go over my workload or even forward her emails once I had sent them OR that I would copy her for a short period of time, such as one month, and then we could revisit the issue and she could provide constructive criticism or praise, if necessary ... but she said "no". I want to quit and already have several interviews lined up! I I took this job for more responsibility and independence and now I have less than at my previous job where I worked very independently. What should I do?
2006-10-12 14:10:09 · 15 answers · asked by Falina T. Rayon 3 in Business & Finance ➔ Careers & Employment
I know exactly how you feel. My boss actually picks up an extension when I am talking to clients and listens in. The person I work for is extremely insecure and the fact that I can and do work without supervison, input or any type of approval from her 95% of the time drives her nuts when she is around, which thankfully is not very often. So when she is around, she micromanages to give herself a feeling of control.
You have to remember that it is something inside of them that is making them behave like this ... and it has nothing to do with you or your performance.
2006-10-12 14:30:42 · answer #1 · answered by BoomChikkaBoom 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think you know what to do -- you are just asking some "moral" back up. You indeed have all my sympathy. In fact -- I had very similar circumstances in a different context -- we did not rely on e-mail so much then, but the idea of your superior (boss) interfering with your modus operandi -- is something not to be proud of. Why? simple -- the boss does not feel secure in her own "qualifications" thus --she/he charges with ridiculous claims -- to oversee, over-supervise the work. B/s -- I took this non-sense at the time -- and now regret it that I did not stand up to my rights. It was a question of "paying the rent" -- that is why. If you do not have the same --outlet -- then go for what is in your mind -- and hope she finds an employee to her satisfaction or tell her to take university courses on "personnel management". Good luck in your search.
2006-10-12 14:18:12 · answer #2 · answered by s t 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
My boss did the same thing. Initially I was offended. But in the long run, it's such a little thing. And that's just another very good reason to work your way up to being "the boss"... then you can impose ridiculous demands on your employees :)
2006-10-12 14:13:30 · answer #3 · answered by Smitten_Kitten 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like you're dealing with a controlling micromanager. Did she offer any rationale for seeing these copies? If it relates to some weakness in you, work on correcting it. If it has nothing to do with you, I guess you have to consider whether the job is worth the hassle. Since you're already looking around, sounds like you've already made that decision!
2006-10-12 14:22:30 · answer #4 · answered by keepsondancing 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Comply with her demands. Sounds like you've gone around her or she has some reason to be included in your loop. Whatever you are working on seems to be very sensitive to her. Are you hiding something from her?
She has a right to see your emails and any of your work.
If you don't like it, quit, and then when your next boss wants to see your emails, you can quit again, etc. See the precedent this will set?
2006-10-12 14:29:46 · answer #5 · answered by randyrich 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
LOL- I had this issue - I sent my old boss every e-mail...he could not keep up with the mass amount of mail and soon asked me to "just update him." BTW: I felt the same way that you do and it did not take long for me to get an e-mail that was a job offer - I sent him (old boss) my acceptance e-mail along with my letter of resignation.
2006-10-12 14:15:28 · answer #6 · answered by firewire_66 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your boss sounds very paranoid and a bit of a micro manager. But what with what is going on nowdays (Enron and all) there's a lot of paranoia in companies. If you can land a better job with a little less stress, go for it.
2006-10-12 14:17:12 · answer #7 · answered by Bikerbutt 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That is just ridiculous. I am so sorry to hear that. I would do it and know that your colleagues will have no idea that you are copying her because she is babysitting you. Think about the times you've copied her before - it's usually with confidence. Just pretend that's it this time and bide your time while you wait for your dream job.
2006-10-12 14:16:48 · answer #8 · answered by Meredith M 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Wow, your boss sounds like a micro-manager. Unless your performance has really been lackluster, or you have had communications that offended clients, there is really no cause for this action. It is very demeaning. Line up the interviews, and practice your HR exit interview.
2006-10-12 14:13:22 · answer #9 · answered by Random Precision 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
just a little nerve wracking but do not quit your job over something so small...pacify her and make her feel she is important, let her feel she won and do what she asks..let her feel her power ....i know and you need to know that the reason she is acting this way is because she knows you are more qualified and efficient than she is and you should be her boss and she should work under you.....just know inside that are are better than she is and let the boss feel ok about herself...might be real soon that you will step up and over her and she will be working under you.
2006-10-12 15:50:17 · answer #10 · answered by walterknowsall 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋