Boss reverses policy requiring employees to earn approval every time they need to send an external email, jeopardizing relationships with frustrated clients

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  An overwhelmed manager puts his head into his arms while sitting at a desk in front of a closed laptop.

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  Boss Said No External Emails Without Approval So I Stopped Sending Them.

  
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  A stressed employee places his hand on his forehead as he works in front of an open laptop.

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• We understand that this manager felt like he needed to update the rules to streamline communication with clients. Sure, it could have been an unnecessary excuse to seem like a strict boss, but it also could have had some merit, at least in its initial ideas. However, the execution was undercooked and under-considered. 

  After all, asking employees in client-facing roles to gain approval each and every time before communicating with their clients is like asking a janitor for managerial approval every time he or she sees reason to clean a mess. It's counterintuitive!

  Furthermore, it adds an extra step that inconveniences the employee, the manager, and the client. Why? Well, for the employee, they cannot complete a task in a timely manner without getting the green light from their manager, no matter how simple or complicated the task may be. For the manager, it's a pain because now their daily tasks and responsibilities are likely being pushed to the side in favor of having to respond to all these email requests day in and day out. Finally, for the client, they are inconvenienced because everything is taking longer. 

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  An employee drafts an email on his laptop.

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  A tablet displaying a work email inbox with 38 unread emails.

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