I came back very late today. I went out with some colleagues for a farewell dinner in Chinatown (and I lost my voice…so I cannot talk much due to a very bad sore throat…worst during my stay in UK). This colleague of mine is a good friend, a senior, very professional but he’s a bit blur at times (i am too). And he left after few months. I donno what happened behind the scene and I’m not going to assume. All I know is that he might just be another victim of “circumstances”.
“Circumstances”, what’s with the “”? I used to have this friend who was a junior in a Malaysian software house. He was still trying to learn a new technology when his team lead approached him and told him to do A using method X. He obeyed. Problem is, nobody including the other seniors AND the team lead himself, is doing A using method X. All of them were using method Y which was much simpler and less time consuming. In the end, my friend did not manage to deliver his tasks…….and this continued for quite some time. Guess what, my friend got penalized and failed his probation period.
Maybe that’s why my bosses and ex-bosses always tell me to keep the e-mails. Put all instructions or assignments or requests from clients into e-mail…..to show that they are the people who requested them. This is to “cover your ass” when something bad comes up and when people start blaming each other. At least, at that time, you have the proper “proof” to show that you are innocent.
Do you practice this kind of policy as well? Is it because there’s not much trust anymore among the people working in your company? Or is it because you believe there will always be someone who is trying to mess things up and start blaming other people for their own mistakes?
For myself, I do that a lot….CC-ing my bosses when e-mailing another colleague (this will somehow trigger a faster and more efficient response, and at the same time, informing your bosses that you have kick the ball to the other guy). I don’t like it, but it’s for survival….because most people would ignore my e-mails if i don’t CC my bosses. =_=
Ah well, i wouldn’t be surprised if someone actually BCC the e-mail they sent to me. 
p/s… sorry for all those waiting for my comics. I’ve prepared the scripts already. Just don’t have time to draw. Still not feeling well …….cannot talk =_= Sorry again. I’ll make sure i draw them up this weekend.
Tagged: Career, company, e-mail, Life, office, politics, working
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6 Comments
Not really about covering your ass, but more about putting things on record, so things are traceable next time. This is because people tend to forget, make mistakes, or just “blur”. My own boss always forgets what instruction she has given, or what information people have told her. It’s because of the nature of her job; information overload. She could scold you for not telling her what you actually already did months ago, and it was even documented on email! But because she’s the boss, let her scold lor if the matter isn’t important. On the other hand, if your rice bowl is at stake, at least you know that you have that cc-ed email somewhere to save the day.
@ The Big Movie Freak
That’s true also, keep records. Depends on your perspective on things la. Some people are a bit forgetful, so keeping records to save themselves is always a good thing.
You also have to keep records because OTHER people tend to forget, and cause problems for you instead, haha.
@ The Big Movie Freak
haha, exactly. when you think you are blur and forgetful, there’s always someone who beats you to it !
Tip: Whenever you give a document to somebody, always write the gad-damn file name and date on every piece of sheet if it’s not on them already.
@ Big Movie Freak
paper-based documents very dangerous laaa. always can find missing pages one.
now all softcopy liao wor