<p>I just received an e-mail from my boss that is dicey and I’m having trouble figuring out how, or whether, to respond. (I could see him on Monday and respond then. If I choose to do this, though, the e-mail would likely require <em>some</em> response, such as “We can discuss on Monday.”)</p>
<p>Being in this situation made me realize that I don’t have anyone to seek advice from regarding this kind of thing. The company is very small and no co-worker would be appropriate, and many of my friends from business school left the work force a long time ago so would not be able to advise me on this level of situation. It requires the knowledge of someone who has “played the game” for a long time and might help me finesse some of what I am saying, or just flat out tell me that it’s better dealt with in person.</p>
<p>My good friends in town that do work are not in the business world…most are either lawyers or physicians!</p>
<p>What should I do?</p>
<p>RTR, if it is something so dicey that it can potentially turn around and bite your in the rear, do NOT put your response in writing. Stall, ask for a meeting on Monday, etc.</p>
<p>RTR perhaps you can share the gist of the email and some of us who have “played the game” cam help?</p>
<p>It’s hard to say from your post but I’m very careful what I put in email since once you hit ‘send’ that email’s out of your control. In addition, it’s very easy to misread an email (possibly the one you received and the one you might send) since there’s no context of the sender’s thought process at the time. </p>
<p>Because of the above, I prefer to handle ‘dicey’ or sensitive issues outside of email through a real conversation with the person. </p>
<p>If by ‘dicey’ you mean anything that borders ‘illegal’ or ‘unethical’, print out a copy of the email and keep it and maybe send it to yourself at your personal email address in case something comes up later.</p>
<p>Since the boss sent the dicey news via email, I’d respond in person only. It may unbalance him/her; you may have an advantage in person.</p>
<p>Your friends might have insights, even if they’ve been out of it for a time.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>RTR - I hope this situation worked out for you. By now it’s old news of course. WEEKEND!!!</p>
<p>I’m VERY careful about what I put in writing. It can always come back to haunt you. I think the “let’s discuss on Monday” idea was your best bet.</p>
<p>If I am mad about an email from someone, especially over the weekend, I won’t respond. It’s often more unsettling when someone doesn’t respond to your email. I would speak with your boss face to face on Mon.</p>