Per My Last Email’ and 9 Other Ways Your Boss Is Secretly Cursing at You
Work emails often hide more attitude than they show. That friendly tone can mask frustration, especially when phrases like “Per my last email” or “As stated previously” start showing up. These polite-sounding lines are usually code for “You missed something important.” Learning to read between the lines can help you catch tension early before it turns into a team meeting about “improving communication.”
Per My Last Email
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This one’s the gold standard of workplace shade. It sounds perfectly polite but really means, “I’ve said this before, and you clearly missed it.” It’s the professional way to scold someone without breaking HR rules. Throw in a “cc” to upper management or an “as discussed previously,” and it turns into a full-blown digital reprimand disguised as formality.
Thanks In Advance
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It might look polite, but it’s really a trap. This line pretends to thank you while actually assigning work you didn’t agree to do. It assumes compliance before you’ve said yes, and that fake gratitude conveniently pressures you into action. It’s efficiency disguised as entitlement, and everyone knows it.
That’s Actually A Decent Idea
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Few phrases manage to praise and insult you in one breath quite like this one. The word “actually” does all the damage because it suggests surprise that you came up with something worthwhile. It’s the kind of so-called compliment that lands with a smile but still leaves you wondering if you were applauded or quietly mocked.
No One Else Has A Problem With That
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When you hear your boss say this, the goal isn’t reassurance; it’s dismissal. It implies you’re being unreasonable for speaking up. Instead of addressing your concern, it shifts the focus to you and makes you hesitate to speak up next time.
I Don’t Hate It
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When someone drops this line, it’s a safe bet they’re not impressed. The phrase acts as lukewarm approval disguised as open-mindedness. It really means, “It’s not great, but I’ll tolerate it.” There’s no enthusiasm or conviction in sight, making it the ultimate example of feedback that helps no one.
Just Checking In
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Sounds caring, but often it’s code for “Why haven’t you done this yet?” These follow-ups arrive right after a missed deadline or when someone’s patience is gone. It’s disguised as a friendly nudge, yet everyone knows it’s a polite way to say, “You’re behind, get moving.”
Do You Want To…
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When a boss uses this phrase, it’s rarely a genuine offer. It’s a polite way of assigning a task that’s already yours to handle. Declining isn’t on the table, and the job usually involves something no one else volunteered for. It may sound considerate, but it’s really a soft command in disguise.
Emailing Everyone To Target One Person
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When one person messes up, and the whole team gets an email, everyone knows who it’s really about. This move screams avoidance. Instead of addressing the issue directly, management drops a vague warning to all, pretending it’s about “team accountability.” It’s passive aggression at scale.
The Royal We
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There’s nothing quite like hearing “When do we think this will be done?” when the “we” clearly means “you.” It’s a favorite among managers who want the work done without lifting a finger. The phrase creates an illusion of teamwork while keeping responsibility one-sided. When things go well, it’s “our success.” When they don’t, it’s suddenly “your mistake.”
Thank You For Your Feedback
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This phrase may sound professional, but it’s the corporate version of “Sure, whatever.” It closes the conversation while pretending to value your input. Once you hear it, your idea’s fate is sealed. It won’t be revisited or implemented and will be filed directly under “ignored.”