Is this appropriate?

[ManagerJay]

I am the only tech at my company and my responsibilities range from technical support to budgeting to negotiating contracts.

One of the individuals in the organization is having computer problems. The service company was on site yesterday and the laptop had to be sent off for service. This employee sent their hard drive to me via overnight mail and it is installed in a computer, and will be returned to them tomorrow.

Following is their out of office reply.

My company computer is currently non-operational while I await service from a true techie. I have limited access to e-mail vis a vie my home computer, but no access to any files stored on the hard drive of my company machine.

My opinion is that this is completely unprofessional since potential customers may receive this message. Am I off base here?

Thanks,



Jay

 

[dgillz]

You are totally on base. This is very unprofessional and you should put a stop to it.

Software Sales, Training, Implementation and Support for Macola, eSynergy, and Crystal Reports

http://www.gainfocus.biz

"What version of URGENT!!! are you using?

 

[SQLSister]

I would forward that to the employee's boss and ask for a formal written reprimand and an apology. That is unacceptable behavior.

"NOTHING is more important in a database than integrity." ESquared

 

[dgillz]

Jay,

There is another very good forum for questions like this, IT Ethics in the Workplace.

I think it was fine that you posted it here, as it is completely appropriate here as well. I just wanted to make sure you were aware of this other forum.



Software Sales, Training, Implementation and Support for Macola, eSynergy, and Crystal Reports

http://www.gainfocus.biz

"What version of URGENT!!! are you using?

 

[dyarwood]

Playing devils advocate he may be referring to you as the true techie and in a friendly way giving you recognition that you are good at what you do.

 

[ckbrouwer]

Definitely unprofessional. All that needs to be said is that he has limited access to email and that he will respond as soon as he can. Period.

 

[rphips]

I agree with dyarwood -

Its sounds like he is praising you for being a true IT guru that can fix any problem and have him back up and running in a blink of a eye.

But he did go overboard in his statements and has basically let everyone who contacts him know he is useless without his computer.

I would bring it up to his superiors who also need to know that they have a worker who is doesn't know how to work without a computer.

I do believe it is called a phone and of course a Pencil and a piece of paper.

 

[dgillz]

At best this send out at least one negative message:

1) I am helpless without a computer
2) my company is FINALLY doing something about the situation, so the company is not really on the ball IT-wise
3) My IT department sucks
4) The IT person I have been using sucks, but now I am working with a good IT person

Take your pick. The bottom line is that this response is too ambiguous to leave to chance. You need to point this out the the person's supervisor. Show him/her this thread if you would like.

Software Sales, Training, Implementation and Support for Macola, eSynergy, and Crystal Reports

http://www.gainfocus.biz

"What version of URGENT!!! are you using?

 

[LNBruno]

Or, perhaps the guy is clueless as to how his "cute" message is open to the interpretations mentioned above and you could, as a personal favor, bring this to his attention which may further endear you to him.

Of course, if he's an eye-dee-eye-oh-tea, then by all means, blast him to his boss.

< M!ke >
[small]Anything is possible if you don't know what you're talking about.[/small]

 

[philhege]

Or, in our parlance, an eye-dee-ten-tee.

 

[LNBruno]

Right, Phil. Spellcheck didn't catch that! ;-)

< M!ke >
[small]Anything is possible if you don't know what you're talking about.[/small]

 

[aarenot]

Catch his email at the exchange server, and stop the out -o- office reply at that level. Then the message does not go out any further. Then contact the user with advice to change the reply to something more proffessional.