Disturbing "hate" mail
traceyb
16 Posts
Listen, I used to like people...
We are a growing aviation firm who recently hired
an Air Force retiree (female) to direct its
dispatch team. She is no-nonsense, results-oriented, and is doing a great job. Her
assertive nature, however, is raising a few hackles.
Over the weekend, someone "from outside the company"
sent an extremely vindictive email to our President,
saying he came on-site to accompany his son on a job search, and (let's call her Jane) someone named Jane opened the door for him.
He said he wished to apply for a job, and was told
by "Jane" to "get his ass off the property."
Interestingly, the email was sent at 23:30 Saturday
night, from an account that was set up at that time.
Jane swears she never had that encounter, and I
believe her. Too many things made no sense. It
smacks of someone out to destroy a coworker, and,
honestly, I don't have the skill set to come up
with a plan. Has anyone ever had this happen?
I guess we just ignore it for now, but "Jane"
is understandably hurt. Maybe this sort of thing
happens all the time, but it's a first for us.
Any ideas?
Thanks, Tracey
We are a growing aviation firm who recently hired
an Air Force retiree (female) to direct its
dispatch team. She is no-nonsense, results-oriented, and is doing a great job. Her
assertive nature, however, is raising a few hackles.
Over the weekend, someone "from outside the company"
sent an extremely vindictive email to our President,
saying he came on-site to accompany his son on a job search, and (let's call her Jane) someone named Jane opened the door for him.
He said he wished to apply for a job, and was told
by "Jane" to "get his ass off the property."
Interestingly, the email was sent at 23:30 Saturday
night, from an account that was set up at that time.
Jane swears she never had that encounter, and I
believe her. Too many things made no sense. It
smacks of someone out to destroy a coworker, and,
honestly, I don't have the skill set to come up
with a plan. Has anyone ever had this happen?
I guess we just ignore it for now, but "Jane"
is understandably hurt. Maybe this sort of thing
happens all the time, but it's a first for us.
Any ideas?
Thanks, Tracey
Comments
From what you've said, it does sound like someone trying to get even, the email sounds very suspicious.
If you've done an investigation and you're satisfied that Jane did nothing wrong, then drop the issue. Keep the email, someone knowledgeable can trace the IP address for you if there are more received. But, don't lend credence to someone who is playing a game.
to the whole group! I'll take your advice and
search the forum.
Tracey
Tony Kessler, director of editorial
M. Lee Smith Publishers LLC
(615) 661-0249, ext. 8068
If its a hoax meant to hurt "Jane" they won't call. If its genuine, they will call and they should be able to provide details.
Better yet, invite them to come back and tell them you want to take them to lunch as an apology.
Save a copy of the e-mail. Chances are your straight-shooting employee has made a few enemies.
Paul has a good plan for additional steps. By responding to the sender, you gain the opportunity to verify if there is any basis to the complaint. Because it was anonymous and “too many things did not make sense”, should you not get a reply to your response, just document that you could not substantiate the complaint, are closing the investigation then send a statement to the President and the EE. If your EE feels unjustly suspected, just remind her all complaints need to be investigated.
Should the writer come across as believable, you have a standard “he said / she said” then you get to decide how to use it as a learning tool. One possible way on this minor an incident is to remind the EE that even though the complaint may be a hoax, any caller or visitor acting in a civil manner should be treated as a friend or relative of the boss because they might very well be.
I would save that e-mail. It would be difficult to link it to an employee but I would keep it as documentation.
Instead, I make sure we have an open door policy and that HR is known for being discreet, helpful employee advocates, so anyone with a legitimate problem is comfortable coming forward.
I would think the latter deserves some investigation.
I see this situation as different. An employee may intentionally be trying to defame the reputation of a co-worker. To me that is serious enough to justify the investment of my time.
That said, I like this kind of investigation. Must be the part of me that wanted to be a cop.
Now if Jane is too defensive about something that appears minor there may be a little more to the story but you may never know.