It is hard to speculate without knowing more of the details but, speaking as one of those lower peons on the ladder, I can see myself writing a very snippy note to "executive management" if they, without informing me, bypassed standard procedures. Especially if the bypass involved breaking database integrity or network security.

Of course there are "snippy" notes and then there are downright rude and unprofessional name calling notes. Once again without more information it is hard to say which one was sent.

Your second point -- that the department head should have informed his staff members in the first place -- is dead on the money. Why did "department head" have to go outside his organization in the first place and, having done so, why didn't he tell his staff what was happening? This bespeaks of problems in the department. It would have been prudent and polite for "executive management" to notify the peons just in case the "department head" did not do so but, in the end, it is the department head's responsibility.

As for dealing with the peon, bourbon for "executive management" is a good idea. Also the executive salary and perks can help ease the pain. In my opinion one reason executives get their perks is to deal with BS. I don't get paid enough to put up with theirs.

Notice this portion of the letter.

'and (b) being polite to a member of the executive management team ... and everyone else in the company too'

The '... and everyone else in the company too' part tells you everything you need to know about this executive. Executives are better than everyone else.

What is being whined about here is getting a tounge lashing from a subordinate about following procedures (that no doubt the 'exceutive management team' put in place). In the corporate culture, once one becomes part of the executive level, the memory fades about what it was like to be someone actually performing the work and following procedure. This executive clearly believes they are above such criticism, since their decisions are more valid than everyone elses. This mindset is the primary problem with the majority of corporations I have worked for. What this executive should have done with this 'teachable moment' was to apologize for not following procedure, thus teaching the employee that they are indeed no better than everyone else, just in a different position in the corporation.

Bob -- Suggesting that IT pros take a shot of bourbon to ease the pain each time they have to deal with idiots could be considered to be promoting heavy drinking.

...and years ago when e-mail first came on the scene, we used to teach "e-mail ettiquette" in our keyboarding classes to the jeers of some. I guess we weren't that far off base....and probably need to reopen that seminar to some people...

Hi Bob,

I am also wondering on the fact that this individual copied other members of the company. Are there steps to save your reputation/ensure that you have dealt with the issue.

Or is it better to ignore it and carry on.

R

I suggest you have someone read your column before you post it. Not because it's bad advice, but because on many occassions it is exceedingly difficult to decipher what you're trying to say. Your 'punchlines' are often structured in an overly-cute way and are thus incoherent. For instance,

"Second, the department head clearly owes you an apology, since he should have informed his staff member that this had taken place. He should also point this out to her, and suggest that since he was the one who goofed, she should now make a similar request of him, to see what the result will be."

Whatever that last sentence is trying convey, in in it's contorted way, is not at all clear. You could simplify it and make it comprehensible, couldn't you? (If you wanted to, I mean.)