Ask LH: How Can I Stop My Sycophantic Colleague From CC’ing The Boss On Every Email?

Dear Lifehacker, What should I do when a co-worker continually copies all their managers in all email communications? It comes off as though they are trying to make me seem bad in front of the bosses because they ignore what I have told them in person and ask question after question that I have already answered.

It is really beginning to frustrate me to the point I am ready to send an abusive email in response but I suspect that is exactly what they are trying to get me to do. The worst part of all is that this person is very close to the bosses so in their eyes they can do no wrong. Please help before I do something I shouldn’t!

Thanks
Email Victim

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Dear EV,

Sending an abusive email is akin to kicking a hornets’ nest. No good can come from it and it has the potential to make you look like the bad guy. Plus, it will make things horribly awkward with your co-worker moving forward, which obviously isn’t ideal.

You can find some general tips on dealing with annoying co-workers here, here and here. You might also want to try out some stress-relieving hacks to retain your sanity.

If you suspect your colleague has nefarious motives, it might be worth keeping a work diary of your interactions with them. That way, you’ll have a paper trail pinning him/her to any meetings that they claim never happened.

Also, be sure to mention in all your replies that the issue has already been discussed (e.g. — “as I explained during this morning’s meeting…”). Naturally, keep your boss CC’d into the conversation while doing so: if the string of emails annoy him, it will be your colleague’s fault for needlessly adding him in the first place. Win-win!

On a final note, you should take solace in the fact that slimy office rivals can usually be safely ignored. As long we you’re performing in your role and going above and beyond the call of duty, there should be absolutely nothing to worry about. In short, do your job and their tricks can’t touch you.

We’re also keen to hear what readers think. If you have any better ideas, let EV know in the comments section below.

See also: The Worst Coworkers And Workplace Annoyances (And How To Deal With Them) | Three Mental Tricks To Deal With People Who Annoy You

Cheers
Lifehacker

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