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Damned if you do...

Just checking in to bitch about one email. I know, I know, but it really annoyed me.

I sent out an unprompted status email regarding an ongoing project, and tried to be as specific as possible (I've been told in the past that doing this would be a good thing, especially regarding the unprompted part).

What did I get it return?

A letter condemning the content.

I addressed some of the content, because I know it is likely I'll be asked about it in the future. I was trying to be helpful and anticipate some questions, but received a scolding instead. It's not a huge deal, I wrote back apologizing, explaining that I was trying to be helpful, etc. The reason that moments like this upset me is because I'm trying to be on top of my work, trying to be helpful and not make the person come to me for info, but provide it for them before they ask. You know, diligence and shit.

To be fair, I understand my critic's point - I was discussing confidential information, but it's not as if it's never been done before by all parties involved. I was sending a confidential letter via email and commenting on it, simultaneously. If I can send the actual document, logic would dictate my ability to comment on it (and comment, I may add, in the most vague possible terms).

Just another in a long succession of days where I feel like everything I do is wrong.

*Sigh*

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Sarbanes Oxley
Submitted by MrPlankton  on Thu, 10/11/2007 - 15:45.

Assuming USA company?
As US moves more towards a socialist model of government and reduces liberties aka "Sarbanes Oxley law"; your email will remain in backup until the death of the universe, or until the gov. storm troopers break down your company's door to pursue some discovery process, at that time everything will be made known to the feds, whether it was what they were looking for or not.

Although your manager was a jerk, the 10,000 pound weight over her head gives some insight into her actions.

Mr. Plankton

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Micromanagement School?
Submitted by f8_smyled on Thu, 10/11/2007 - 17:04.

Hey there,

Thanks for your comment, and I'm glad I offered some helpful advice for you! Yes, Silicon Valley is shortly going to be the death of me as it continues to suck my wallet, life and sense of humor dry. If only there was some way to regulate low-paying over-bearing employers. Nothing like that exists for my field, and doesn't sound like it exists for you either. You are so lucky to have your hubby working close by--I'd take that over cookies any day! :-)

But to comment on your latest fiasco, woo... I can't roll my eyes or huff and puff enough about it. Clearly, we have both been victimized by micromanagers from hell--is there a university that spits these guys out? The worst part is, if you are manipulated by a micromanager long enough, it becomes involuntary for you to begin second-guessing everything you do. Either that, or you sway the opposite direction and completely give up on ever getting anything right, and just begin doing everything half-assed.

I'm seriously in micromanager-land over here, and it is a living nightmare. It's a constant eggshell walk and serious blow to my already fragile ego to work with these guys. Not to mention, I was an over-thinking perfectionist to begin with... I'm a nervous wreck every time I turn anything in for approval anymore!

So I guess what I'm saying is, we should both try to brush off the micromanager attacks, and realize that we can't please all the people, all the time. You do your best, or what you reasonably think is right, and you'll be fine. If they don't like it, fuck 'em! What else can you do? Grovel? Go out of your way trying to please someone who will never truly be satisfied with your work because they have some deep-down issue that probably stems back to being picked on as a kid? The world doesn't revolve around any one person, and a few cool-headed retorts will set that record straight--at least they should.

Good luck, and keep venting! This site is awesome!

f8_smyled

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