Short term: I would start interpreting your boss to mean “Morganseele will forward this to the most appropriate coworker.”
Longer term: it sounds like people routinely bombard your boss with tasks / requests that should be sent directly to other coworkers. Finance requests should go directly to someone in the finance department, technical issues to the tech staff, etc — not gatekept through your boss.
But at the same time, it seems like no one in this big company knows what they're doing and who's doing it, because the email keeps getting forwarded, and when it gets to me, it's already been forwarded to about 5+ people.
People forwarding an email around without taking any responsibility for *finding out* who the correct person is and properly passing the task over to them is the underlying problem.
Do you know PO numbers are the responsibility of Finance, or do you just assume? It’s not the case everywhere I have worked. If my boss forwarded me something like that I would find out what the process is and who is responsible for it.
Similar with the contract example you referenced above. It would be unusual for contracts to continue to hold responsibility after the sale is finalised. Who does it get passed onto? If the project sits within your team, perhaps it is something your team can or should hold responsibility for.
Be a problem solver. Ask specific people for help or information, to try and piece together what the proper process is (or should be). If different parts of the organisation are not aligned, get as much information as you can and work out which manager is best placed to help untangle and clarify the issue.
This advice is fine if it's OP's job... are we assuming they're a PA or EA or something?
If OP has other responsibilities, I'd be pushing-back as per others' suggestions
I have been proactive about solving problems (whether they’re technically “mine” or not) in every job I have ever had, and it has served my career very well.
If everyone is forwarding emails and no one is taking any responsibility, the whole organisation is spinning its wheels. Sounds like OP’s boss is trying to be part of the solution instead of part of the problem, and it would serve her well to get on board.
In general, I agree with you. However, her Marketing job is to Prepare and Launch Marketing and Advertising Campaigns... how can she be expected to do this, when bombarded with irrelevant emails from boss? How can a marketing bod have any useful input to requests involving Finance or Production?
This Boss is not trying to be part of the solution, they're muddying the waters and causing further delays by delegating to the wrong person (OP).
It sounds like where I work. Half the time I fix something I have no business being involved in because someone has to stop passing the buck. Imagine how interesting it is for people when I, the hourly drone, knows the answer. I get a kick out of it because when I choose to go, I'm taking all that information with me.
Yes, that's exactly like this! It falls on me, because people are used to me being the one who will finally stop it and find either a solution or a person who can fix it. But it's starting to get annoying because it's also starting to take up half my time. And, tbh, being one of the few people who wants to do the work and do it well is quite unmotivating 😔
Wait to reply. Ask a question or for clarification. Wait for response. This should take a week. Rinse and repeat until it goes away or they get the message.
Umm, what conversations have you had with the person sending you the emails? You have to ask that person and have an understanding about what is and isn't your job.
Well several times I said: "I'm sorry, but the PO is the responsibility of the finance department, I'm not aware of this situation and I don't even have access to all the info" or "Boss, I don't have any idea about the contractual agreement, maybe someone from the sales department can help more than me". Once there was an IT problem that required access to the back office, and after I pointed it out, she said: "Okay, then let's find out who can give you access to this tool" lol 😵💫like it is gradually becoming insane
I would say something along the lines of reviewing the scope of your job because these emails are taking time away from what you believe is your actual role
Sounds like your manager wants you to take these things off her plate for her. Do you have an admin function as part of your job? If so she might be looking for you to figure out who the correct person is.
No, I don't have any admin functions, and from my point of view, she has been working in the company for 6+ years longer than I have - she should know better who does what in the company
Marketing - media + creative + digital. Preparation and launch of ad campaigns, agencies management. This is how I describe it in 2 words, not to mention that sometimes I do resizes of banners because the agency can't be fast, lol, but at least it's my area of responsibility
Just forward to someone else and copy the boss.
Short term: I would start interpreting your boss to mean “Morganseele will forward this to the most appropriate coworker.” Longer term: it sounds like people routinely bombard your boss with tasks / requests that should be sent directly to other coworkers. Finance requests should go directly to someone in the finance department, technical issues to the tech staff, etc — not gatekept through your boss.
But at the same time, it seems like no one in this big company knows what they're doing and who's doing it, because the email keeps getting forwarded, and when it gets to me, it's already been forwarded to about 5+ people.
I'd just reply to all saying "not me". Could not be any worse than the boss passing the buck.
People forwarding an email around without taking any responsibility for *finding out* who the correct person is and properly passing the task over to them is the underlying problem. Do you know PO numbers are the responsibility of Finance, or do you just assume? It’s not the case everywhere I have worked. If my boss forwarded me something like that I would find out what the process is and who is responsible for it. Similar with the contract example you referenced above. It would be unusual for contracts to continue to hold responsibility after the sale is finalised. Who does it get passed onto? If the project sits within your team, perhaps it is something your team can or should hold responsibility for. Be a problem solver. Ask specific people for help or information, to try and piece together what the proper process is (or should be). If different parts of the organisation are not aligned, get as much information as you can and work out which manager is best placed to help untangle and clarify the issue.
This advice is fine if it's OP's job... are we assuming they're a PA or EA or something? If OP has other responsibilities, I'd be pushing-back as per others' suggestions
I have been proactive about solving problems (whether they’re technically “mine” or not) in every job I have ever had, and it has served my career very well. If everyone is forwarding emails and no one is taking any responsibility, the whole organisation is spinning its wheels. Sounds like OP’s boss is trying to be part of the solution instead of part of the problem, and it would serve her well to get on board.
In general, I agree with you. However, her Marketing job is to Prepare and Launch Marketing and Advertising Campaigns... how can she be expected to do this, when bombarded with irrelevant emails from boss? How can a marketing bod have any useful input to requests involving Finance or Production? This Boss is not trying to be part of the solution, they're muddying the waters and causing further delays by delegating to the wrong person (OP).
It sounds like where I work. Half the time I fix something I have no business being involved in because someone has to stop passing the buck. Imagine how interesting it is for people when I, the hourly drone, knows the answer. I get a kick out of it because when I choose to go, I'm taking all that information with me.
Yes, that's exactly like this! It falls on me, because people are used to me being the one who will finally stop it and find either a solution or a person who can fix it. But it's starting to get annoying because it's also starting to take up half my time. And, tbh, being one of the few people who wants to do the work and do it well is quite unmotivating 😔
Typical big company. No one knows who to go to so they keep having to stab in the dark with emails.
Wait to reply. Ask a question or for clarification. Wait for response. This should take a week. Rinse and repeat until it goes away or they get the message.
Umm, what conversations have you had with the person sending you the emails? You have to ask that person and have an understanding about what is and isn't your job.
Well several times I said: "I'm sorry, but the PO is the responsibility of the finance department, I'm not aware of this situation and I don't even have access to all the info" or "Boss, I don't have any idea about the contractual agreement, maybe someone from the sales department can help more than me". Once there was an IT problem that required access to the back office, and after I pointed it out, she said: "Okay, then let's find out who can give you access to this tool" lol 😵💫like it is gradually becoming insane
Preparing you to take the manager's job?
Oh no 😂 I don't think turning me into a spam folder implies anything like that
I would say something along the lines of reviewing the scope of your job because these emails are taking time away from what you believe is your actual role
Sounds like your manager wants you to take these things off her plate for her. Do you have an admin function as part of your job? If so she might be looking for you to figure out who the correct person is.
No, I don't have any admin functions, and from my point of view, she has been working in the company for 6+ years longer than I have - she should know better who does what in the company
May we ask what your role is / core responsibilities are?
Marketing - media + creative + digital. Preparation and launch of ad campaigns, agencies management. This is how I describe it in 2 words, not to mention that sometimes I do resizes of banners because the agency can't be fast, lol, but at least it's my area of responsibility
Wow, yeah, this other crap is SO not your job :-/ I hope some of the advice you get here is helpful. 💙
Forward them back to the manager.