Got it Covered CC’d You all in

Got It Covered – I’ve CC’d You All In! ​

We’ve all been there. You return from annual leave feeling refreshed—until you open your inbox. Thousands of emails, half of them irrelevant, a good chunk sent “just in case,” and a handful that could have been dealt with in your absence if only the right person had been looped in. Suddenly, that post-holiday glow is replaced with stress and an overwhelming urge to book your next break. ​

But let’s flip the perspective. Have you ever found yourself checking emails while on leave, just to prevent that exact scenario (I have, and I would expect many of you have 😎)? ​

Are we truly stepping away from work if we’re scanning our inbox each morning to stay afloat? As colleagues, are we doing enough to look after one another when someone takes a well-earned break? ​

The CC Culture – Necessary or Noise? ​

- Copying colleagues into emails seems like a safe bet, ensuring awareness, keeping everyone informed, covering your back. But before you hit “CC,” ask yourself: ​

- Is this person directly involved, or am I just adding them ‘in case’ they might need to  know? ​

- Will this help them do their job, or will it clog their inbox unnecessarily? ​

- Would a quick update on their return be more effective than receiving every email thread? ​

If someone is on leave, copying them into emails they can’t act on only adds to their backlog. Instead, consider directing key emails to someone who can respond, ensuring continuity without burdening the person away. ​

Who’s Got It Covered? ​

A little planning before annual leave can make a world of difference. Some of the following is no doubt very familiar practice, but I’ll share it anyway. ​

 Before heading off, consider: ​

- Who needs to be copied in? Identify a key contact to handle urgent matters instead of leaving everything waiting for your return. ​

- Does your out-of-office message direct people effectively? Instead of a generic “I’ll respond when I’m back,” signpost who can help in your absence. ​

-Do you trust your team to handle things? Checking emails daily on holiday isn’t resting; it’s remote working. Step back and let others step in. ​

From the other side, supporting a colleague’s leave means ensuring they don’t return to a mountain of unnecessary emails. If you’re covering, resist the urge to CC them unless absolutely necessary. ​

Looking After Each Other ​

Annual leave exists for a reason, to rest, reset, and return ready to go again. That’s only possible if we create a culture where people can truly switch off, knowing their workload won’t be unmanageable when they return. ​

So, next time you’re about to CC someone in, pause and ask: Is this helping, or am I just passing the problem along? Looking after one another at work includes looking after each other’s wellbeing, even when they’re not there. ​

Come back to what matters, not just an overflowing inbox, your good self will also benefit from it becoming part of your work culture. 😊​