Now more than ever, I am eager to tie up loose ends and get as many things off my plate before the little one arrives. Unfortunately, not everyone shares my sense of urgency. There is this particularly important manuscript that needs a stamp of approval to go out, but I have been unable to get said stamp for months now. My regular reminders to please read it as soon as possible are polite but increasingly persistent. And yet, people don't get it.
Is it inappropriate to remind people that the clock is ticking and if they don't act now, the darn thing might have to wait till after my maternity leave? I have only asked to read a few pages, does it really need to take months? Can I make my emails play the 24-beep when they are delivered?
6 comments:
I do think that it's appropriate to remind them that if they don't give the paper the stamp now, then they'll have to wait until after your maternity leave. Giving them the benefit of the doubt, they may not think about you being out of touch during your maternity leave or they may not realize how rapidly it is approaching. So, a gentle reminder of Please read this. If the paper doesn't get everyone's approval by X date, then it will not be able to go out until Y date as I will be on maternity leave until then. is perfectly acceptable.
I think you should remind them, and it is not inappropriate, the reminder amanda wrote is perfectly clear, and polite.
If it would be me, I guess I would start off with that one, and send less inpolite ones following. You do not have much time, so they should make some effort to invest some.
amanda's reminder is perfect. It is not as if you just need it, you have a tight deadline, it is not an option to postpone it just because some person thought you were not a priority.
If that reminder does not work, I would consider sending stronger reminders. You simply do not have the time for that.
If the person you are waiting for has a secretary, try ringing her (or him), explain the situation, and ask her if she could remind that person for you. They will understand.
My supervisor was a terrible person for leaving things until the last minute. Perhaps a gentle, polite reminder about your materinity leave (as Amanda phrased nicely) will be the kick these people need to get this manuscript off their to do lists, and yours. I hope it works!
Amanda - I think I will have to try this. I hate that I have to use reasons like that when it is perfectly legitimate to expect a turn around on reading that is under 2 months without said reasons.
Lin - I know, but it is still weird to be pulling the "I am the ticking bomb" reason.
LabPixie - some people just operate under time pressure only, and it can be tough to apply that pressure externally. But I think I am at the point when I am ready to try anything.
OMG, I love the idea of the 24 beep! I so so wish I could do that.
You know my experience with getting things read -- I had to be pretty aggressive, even without a baby on the way. So yes, you should be able to expect decent turnaround with threats, but if you've got such a non-negotiable deadline, use it to your favor!
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