Mixed emotions

[muck_a_luck]

Today, while cleaning the spam filter, I found a client e-mail that got sent there by mistake. It contained very legitimate criticisms of the way the drafting of their estate planning documents was handled, and ALL of the problems were clearly attributable to the way I dealt with them and handled my workflow.

I was horribly embarrassed, but the e-mail was directed to The Boss, so I forwarded it to him with the comment, this got caught by the spam filter.

Some clients may have legitimate complaints about me, but NOBODY can ever say that I lack honesty and integrity.

Boss sent them a lovely apology e-mail and copied me. He mentioned that they had used the wrong e-mail address.

They replied to him that they didn't want to use his usual e-mail address to criticize my work, for fear that I would see the criticism and possible delete it before he could see it.

So now, I am embarrassed and chagrined about their legitimate complaints, and indignant and angry that they implied that I was a liar and a cheat.

The irony being, of course, that because they used the wrong e-mail address and I am the only one who cleans the spam filter, the ONLY reason The Boss saw the mail is because *I* forwarded it to him.

This is a very unpleasant mix of emotions. I'm trying to think of it a just desserts, and move on, but I'm not sure it's working.

*scowls*

Comments

[snarkyducky.livejournal.com]

you're a seriously good person.. i think i "might" have the courage to do the same in that situation, but i can never say for sure. hats off to your integrity! :)

*thinks of something witty to quote from Galadriel, like "i have passed the test" or sommat*

have you ever thought maybe sneaky clients like that don't even deserve you?
(((((hugses)))))

[muck-a-luck.livejournal.com]

Well, it's hard to be mad at them. They had a very annoying time getting their wills out of me. But I don't think I ever did anything to make them think I would actually do something as dishonest as delete my Boss' e-mail!!! Dude!

Thanks for the hugs and the vote of confidence. :)

[charlietudor.livejournal.com]

What snarkyducky said--and I'd have been sorely tempted to delete that email, myself. You done good. It doesn't feel like it, but you did.

[muck-a-luck.livejournal.com]

The not deleting part is no prob. I would certainly NEVER get between Boss and client communication. It was just so confusing to feel simultaneously guilty and pissed as Hell! :) Over it now. Some good may have come of it, as I pointed out to boss that their criticisms were legit and we agree that I needed some uninterrupted blocks of time in the week to actually DO WORK instead of answering the phone and putting out fires. We'll see how it takes, but I'm hopeful. Poor will clients. Always get screwed over because they don't have deadlines...

[green-grrl.livejournal.com]

Aargh. I know... I hate getting caught out in the wrong. But the good news is that you did do the right thing. And the ickiness of the clients gets you loads and loads of brownie points back. Their last little snipe to the Boss only makes them look bad and you look way better. Sometimes clients fall through the cracks -- shit happens -- but integrity shines forever, so go you. I know it's hard for me to let go of the emotions, though. Try writing an angry letter to them when you get home, and then burning it.

[muck-a-luck.livejournal.com]

I'm totally over it. :) Didn't even need to write a venting letter! Not a bad idea though. Usually, I just curse loudly to Cellmate.

[green-grrl.livejournal.com]

You are a better woman than I, CK. *smoosh* :-)

[supersloane.livejournal.com]

I am the designated spam filter checker at my company and would have been tempted to have deleted it as well. You did the right thing and unless your Boss went off on you, I suspect he/she knows that you saw it and had the integrity to send it along.

I know many people who wouldn't have hestitated to delete it.

You did the right thing.

[muck-a-luck.livejournal.com]

:) Thanks for the vote of confidence. Boss knows I'm swamped. And Boss knows he can trust me. We agreed that I need some uninterrupted blocks of time to get work done. We are a two person office, and sometimes the will clients get screwed over because they are always the lowest priority - no deadlines. Heh. No pun intended.

[supersloane.livejournal.com]

Thankfully it sounds like you and the Boss have decent communication going which is KEY. Don't fret about it. The client was just grumpy, it happens. You know that you do a good job and your Boss knows it too. Ultimately that is what matters. :)

[mresundance.livejournal.com]

What everyone else said: you did the right thing, absolutely.

And it IS just desserts. While they may have had legit criticisms, you proved yourself to be the bigger person in some senses. And your boss probably really appreciates that, and that he can trust you, which is probably the most important thing in a work relationship.

*snugs*

Sometimes people are rude skanks.