Writing Project 5—Complaint Email

Length: Appropriate email length

Format: using email formatting (including To, From, CC or BCC if appropriate, Subject Line, Body, and any necessary attachments)

Scenario

Chicago startup RXBAR makes protein bars with whole food ingredients and hired you as a Communications Specialist about a month before the COVID-19 pandemic hit the US. Your teammate, Jana, has worked as a Communications Specialist for six months.

RXBAR uses the messaging application Slack to communicate internally, and since RXBAR mandated that everyone work from home, you use it for all workplace communications. Today, you saw that Jana posted the following message in the #general channel:

“This is a gentle reminder to all new employees to PLEASE PROOFREAD all public-facing copy! If you’re not sure how to do this, your colleagues are an excellent resource. Let’s maintain RXBAR’s brand credibility during this time of upheaval. Thanks, Jana”

A sinking feeling told you this message was aimed at you and the COVID-19 email message you were asked to proofread before sending to wholesalers. Sure enough, when you double-checked the email, you discovered a typo. You know you messed up and could have asked Jana to proofread the email, but you also feel ashamed and angry. Everyone on the Marketing team knows you’re responsible for final reads on written copy, and because Jana posted her message in #general, now they—and maybe the entire company know—you made a mistake.

This isn’t the first time you’ve felt conflict with Jana. Although you and her share the same job title, she often checks over your work like she’s your boss, even though you both report to Mari. When you still worked in the office, you often caught Jana and her friends smirking and whispering about you, so you can only imagine what they’re saying now in their private channel #yogaladies.

Jana hasn’t directly messaged you about the typo yet. You’d like to think her Slack post was a mistake; maybe Jana got confused about where she made her post, or doesn’t understand how #general works? You’re not sure what’s really going on, but you think Jana’s behavior is inappropriate and hurts your ability to work with her.

Ideally, you’d bring up your concerns in-person, but of course you don’t have that option now. You decide to email one of the following parties to complain about the Slack message.

Task

1. Compose an email that describes your complaint and states how you’d like your complaint handled. You may choose to email

· Your team lead, Mari. Mari is always busy as a manager and parent but makes time to mentor you.

· Your friend, Clinton. Clinton has worked on the Sales team for one year and somehow manages to be friends with both Jana and you.

· Jana

One page

2. PAT!

a) What’s the overall purpose of your complaint? What do you want to accomplish?

b) How must you alter SWW’s instructions in writing an email to varying audiences (and your classmate?)

c) What tone will best accomplish your goals?

Half page for PAT