Why do people use BCC? I’ve used it in the past, most often BCCing myself so I have a file ready copy of what I’m sending. But occasionally, I’ve BCCd someone to keep them from being blindsided by something that I’m confident is going to end up on their desk (but not completely sure). Many of us have been on the receiving end of a note that was BCCd to someone else. Most of the time, we don’t know about these, but everyone once in a while we find out. I don’t know about you, but when I have found out, it’s put a major dent in the relationship with the original sender. This is mostly because BCC in these cases really meant “Because I’m Covering my Career, and I don’t care about yours” (with the emphasis on the second part).
Which now makes me wonder, is BCC a way to encourage people to be passive-aggressive with their communication? Is a BCC really necessary? Why not move the BCC to a CC, and get it out there in the open? And, why have we still not acknowledged that there are at least two generations in the workplace that have never seen a real “Carbon Copy” of anything?
I sent a note out yesterday and moved what may have been a BCC to a CC. I’m 99.999% sure it’s going to end up on her desk anyway. Might as well let the person I’m communicating with know that I’ve already taken care of it for her. Now if I can just get her to let go of her other passive-aggressive communication habits.
How do you feel about BCC?
