Just got the passive aggressive CC email. Advice please!

[SNAMATT]

The background to my story begins with a employee who interpreted my interactions with her as "unprofessional" and reported me to HR because she feels I was mean to her because she wanted to go home in the middle of her shift, which I allowed her to do. I am a nurse, she is a PCT. I am 1 of 2 assistant managers. We share same director. I can honestly say I was surprised she went to HR because My interaction with her had been professional and direct. But this isn't the problem....

She goes on to send an email that involves staffing on the unit to my director and the other manager (my equal) and decides to "cc" me. I know it's petty, but it's passive aggressive and staff splitting. In addition, she has fabricated the interaction we had about her "going home" to my staff by saying I slammed my belongings when she wanted to go home and so on. She is slandering my name and now playing games with emails. It needs to stop. Just wanted to seek advise from the community. Email etiquette states you only cc those whom you don't expect a response from. But I'm in charge of staffing! How should I address?!

[Horseshoe, BSN, RN]

I have the insight to know how I come across when I communicate with co-workers/ pts. Believe it or not, I take the time to analyze my own bias. I have been wrong in the past. When I have been wrong I have apologized. We all have moments. This particular employee has experienced many "moments" that make me question her character. She has had multiple interactions with various staff that have been counterproductive . Again, this is only my side. I get that. BUT im not a b.s.er. My priority is my pts and staff.

Not remotely saying you are a "b.s.er." But it's not always possible to know how others perceive you. It's not a matter necessarily of not admitting you are wrong, but of admitting that you can't always be right, you can't always know how others see you. Surely you can recognize that, right? That's actually true for all human beings.

[SNAMATT]

Then why don't you provide some reference for this "email etiquette" of which you speak, ad I am unaware of this as well and routinely CC folks with the only read on being to make them aware, without expectation of a reply.

Like I previously stated, I know this is petty and the insight I received on this forum has helped me realize this situation is not a big deal at all. I am actually amazed that email etiquette is not reviewed in many workplaces. As far as a reference for email etiquette, I don't have a reliable source to provide. I'm simply recalling information provided to me during orientation as well as school. TBH, the information I was provided made sense.... to avoid situations like this. Ppl use email all the time as a tool to make a point... for example cc'ing your boss in an email that he/she doesn't need to be included in.

[SNAMATT]

Not remotely saying you are a "b.s.er." But it's not always possible to know how others perceive you. It's not a matter necessarily of not admitting you are wrong, but of admitting that you can't always be right, you can't always know how others see you. Surely you can recognize that, right? That's actually true for all human beings.

I can appreciate that.

[SNAMATT]

Then why don't you provide some reference for this "email etiquette" of which you speak, ad I am unaware of this as well and routinely CC folks with the only read on being to make them aware, without expectation of a reply.

When to Use To: or Cc: in Your E-mails - Net M@nners Just FYI, not a source I would reference if writing a paper on the topic, but you get the idea. This is just info I found on my first google search.

[psu_213, BSN, RN]

I had this annoying English class in college--writing in the business setting or something like that. There was a section on email writing--10% of our grades was to write a business email. There was never anything about expecting or not expecting a response from people who were CC'd. Since we are on the topic, pretty much everyone at my place of work puts their email address in their email signature. If you print out someone's email from in the organization, it only has their name, not their full email address in the "To" line...therefore, it goes in the signature if they wish to respond from somewhere other than their work computer. I know the signature issue was not a factor in your OP, but it goes to show that there is not some universal email etiquette out there--also AEB the lack of nurses on here that have hear of such CC rules.

On another note, I worked in an ER with 3 assistant managers in addition to the NM. The assistant managers asked that if you sent a question/request about the schedule to one of them, you CC the other two. They may respond, they may not have to. This sounds like it is not the policy on your unit, but, again, different people, units, etc. view the CC differently.

Either way, let it go. It really does sound like you are reading a bit too much into it.

[klone, MSN, RN]

Again, where is the prohibition to only CC someone with the expectation of them replying.

I think he said that you only CC someone if you DO NOT expect them to reply. If you want them to reply, you put them in the "to" column, not CC.

[TriciaJ, RN]

Appreciate your response. Im really a fun loving person and I'm disappointed about this whole situation. In 10 plus years of nursing, I have never experienced this. I know it's hard for ppl to comprehend, but her intent was malicious. From the HR thing to the stupid email. I'm a nurse....my job is to assess....and I know through previous interactions and emails that she was trying to upset me. Shes a problem and I'll let my "equal" handle her daily issues and emergencies.

Until someone above you takes her crap seriously enough to cause problems for you, I would just blow her off. She sounds like someone who is annoying. If she annoys upper management enough, she will eventually be shown the door. All you really need to do is hold her to the same standard you hold everyone else. She'll take care of the rest. One way or another.

[TiffyRN, BSN, PhD]

Sorry, I had trouble concentrating on your story after I learned about the "cc" thing. Quite possible being direct is not being well received.

As far as the "cc" thing, I've worked in hospitals since 1993 and in 3-4 hospitals with employee email since about 1998. Never heard of this before. But, you learn something new every day right? I guess in all honesty I always put every person in the mail "To:" section unless they have specifically mentioned to "cc me on this".

[JadedCPN, BSN, RN]

You are giving this person far too much power

over your own reactions.

Ignore it and move on.

Best advice you'll ever receive.

Like others have mentioned, you should consider the possibility that you are reading too far into it. Even if you aren't, don't let her set you up to be the "bad guy"/person in the wrong in this situation - if you continue down this path, that's exactly what you'll end up being. Let it go.

[perfectbluebuildings, BSN, RN]

This reminded me of this scene in the office, with Jim imitating Stanley... Not making fun of your problem at all I hope it doesn't come across that way!! But all this "cc" talk made me think of my favorite show.

[SNAMATT]

Nice!