“Babysitter” Signature Files?

A site visitor was curious and pondered…

I am in a national sales manager position. The owner of my company is requiring that all my outgoing email contain my signature line and contact info and all of his following mine. Is this appropriate? He believes that this will give our customers an assurance that they can reach more than one individual. I believe this can be accomplished by copying him on correspondance.

I believe that it devalues the credibility of my position with our customers. It may even cause question as to my professional ethics. What is your postition on this?

Hmmm…. That is certainly not standard and customary. Does he do this for all employees? The ability to reach “more than one individual” should be a given — folks can always call or go to your Web site to get additional contact information if need be.

This reminds me of when I was being trained for a new cocktail waitress job back in the day. I had the girl who was training me shadowing me to make sure I did things right. It was not only embarrassing (I was pretty darned experienced) but it let the customers know that I was not yet trusted and being monitored by management.

As a National Sale Manager part of your job is to manage — and that includes copying supervisors when need be based on your discretion and putting them in contact with those up the ladder if required. That position should not be compromised by having to include a babysitter signature file.

I agree with you on this one. I’ve been emailing longer than most and never have I seen an email that included the contact information of anyone other than the Sender. Emails sent by you should only include your contact information. If his motives are what he states, does he include your information on his emails for the same reason?

I’m curious what my readers have to say about his one! So, what say you?

Some More Info for You:

1. Office Signature Files
2. Daily Signature Files Use Guidelines
3. Degrees in Signature Files
4. Ban Opinionated Signature Files?
5. Including Your Signature in Your Signature