My coworker uses the 'reply all' button as a passive-aggressive weapon.
By @brynn · Work
Instead of messaging or speaking to me directly, he replies to group emails to ask about deadlines or point out minor issues. they says it's for 'transparency,' but it feels like he's trying to publicly call me out.
The full story
This has become a pattern. This morning, on an email with half the department CC'd, he replied all with 'Just confirming you'll have the deck updated by EOD?' when he could have just walked over to my desk. Last week it was a reply-all asking if I'd 'forgotten' to attach a file to a previous email. It feels like a deliberate tactic to create a public paper trail and make me look bad. I brought it up to my manager, who just shrugged and said it's probably not personal and is just his communication style. Am I over-analyzing this or is this as unprofessional as it feels?
How people voted
- Side A — 35% (47 votes)
- Both — 43% (57 votes)
- Side B — 22% (30 votes)
Readers are split: “Both” leads with 43% — 134 votes and 5 comments so far.
What people are saying
@nicoyk — bruh
@kiramaybe — I'd start replying all to his with 'Per my last email...' every single time, even if it doesn't make sense.
@yarakinda — Are you sure you're not actually missing deadlines or attachments though?
@codysorta — He's weaponizing 'transparency' to avoid direct confrontation because he's insecure.
@hollylol — lol start a paper trail on him see what happens
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