[_Codemonkeyism]

I've met executives who said 'Don't mail me problems, always call me.' or who said 'Don't ever tell me problems'.

Because the moment there is a paper trail, they can't hide.

As an employee you always want to create a paper trail otherwise they will pin it on you. Print emails if necessary.

[salawat]

Absolutely this. There is a tendency in higher management circles to only want paper trail created after a decision to deal with or dismiss an issue is made. I never realized why until I found out about e-discovery.

You can get around this somewhat by fulfilling their request to be notified without paper trail, then immediately e-mailing them and everyone involved with a copy of the problem discussed, the decision made, the reasoning behind the decision (including attribution to who said what), and the the action plan moving forward.

If you really feel uncomfortable about it, include the weather outside the office day. It seems silly, but it can lead to some interesting lines of questioning in legal proceedings, and it also serves as a canary to those paying attention to what you are concerned may be in the future moving forward. Sometimes this may kindle a more in-depth review of the subject matter at hand.

People may think you're weird. However, most just file it under "there is no communication like over-communication."

[_Codemonkeyism]

"If you really feel uncomfortable about it, include the weather outside the office day. It seems silly, but it can lead to some interesting lines of questioning in legal proceeding"

Will remember this!