If there’s a perfect case study on why you should always check your email recipient boxes before hitting send, this would be it.
A National Parks Board (NParks) staff member didn’t have nice things to say about a person who sent in a complaint, and shot off an email to his colleague, writing “I believe this guy is out to find trouble with NParks”.
Alas, said email containing the remarks were accidentally sent to the complainant as well, who was CC-ed in. Ruh roh!
Thing is, the complainant — Dixon Liw — actually may have a legit feedback about a potential safety hazard to pedestrians in his area along Ubi Avenue 1. According to his Facebook post, he highlighted to NParks that the tree-pruning operations may have damaged drain covers. Remarkably, this was the second time it happened.
But instead of a standard government reply from NParks, what Liw got instead was a rebuke in an email he wasn’t supposed to be privy with.
In any case, Liw’s post went viral. NParks’ deputy chief executive Leong Chee Chiew even had to issue a response to the media, stating that they’ve since apologized to Liw for their staff’s “inappropriate language”.
“We have also counselled the staff involved regarding his attitude towards the feedback provider,” Leong said. “NParks recognises that feedback from the public helps us to manage our green spaces better, and we appreciate the effort Mr Liw took to alert us to the damaged drain gratings.”
As for Liw, he got what he wanted in the end — NParks will be repairing the drain gratings today. A great ending for all, except the dude who couldn’t unsend the email he sent. In case you ever find yourself in his shoes, here’s how you can recall emails.
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