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Subject: Urgent: Update on the Cademon Project Proposal
Date: Tuesday, Jun 9, 2025 at 8:03 AM
From: MarisaErring@secondwavepr.com
To: CarolConte@secondwavepr.com
Carol,
I trust you are well. Please provide an update on the Cademon Project ASAP. I spoke with Jesse yesterday, and she is missing a number of the client’s specifications. This is concerning. Thank you for your continued leadership and collaboration in this matter.
Marisa Erring
VP of Communications
SeCoNd WaVe PR
Subject: Re: Urgent: Update on the Cademon Project Proposal
Date: Tuesday, Jun 9, 2025 at 8:10 AM
From: CarolConte@secondwavepr.com
To: MarisaErring@secondwavepr.com
Good morning, Marisa!
Thank you for keeping me in the loop. I’ll speak with Jesse ASAP and keep you posted.
Talk soon,
Carol
Carol Conté
Director of Communications
SeCoNd WaVe PR
Subject: Update on the Cademon Project Proposal
Date: Tuesday, Jun 9, 2025 at 8:15 AM
From: CarolConte@secondwavepr.com
To: JessicaMorgan@secondwavepr.com
Good morning!
I hope you’re doing well. I heard you met with Marisa yesterday. I just wanted to clarify a few things regarding the client's requests and your plan moving forward on this project. Please let me know your thoughts- happy to discuss further! We appreciate you!
Carol
Carol Conté
Director of Communications
SeCoNd WaVe PR
Subject: Re: Update on the Cademon Project Proposal
Date: Tuesday, Jun 9, 2025 at 9:15 AM
From: JessicaMorgan@secondwavepr.com
To: CarolConte@secondwavepr.com
Hi, Carol,
Thank you for checking in! Yes, I spoke with Marisa yesterday. She mentioned that she forgot to include a few of the client’s requests in the initial brief, which is why they weren’t included in the draft I shared with you on Monday. I’m now working on incorporating these new specifications, but since this changes the scope of the initial project, I need to rework the proposal to stay within the budget. This, on top of taking over Leila’s workload, will take me a while to complete. Please let me know if I should prioritize this project over the others. Thanks for your support :)
All the best,
Jesse
Jessica Morgan
Strategic Communications Specialist
SeCoNd WaVe PR
Subject: Urgent: Update on the Cademon Project Proposal
Date: Tuesday, Jun 9, 2025 at 9:13 AM
From: MarisaErring@secondwavepr.com
To: CarolConte@secondwavepr.com
Carol- Update???
Marisa Erring
VP of Communications
SeCoNd WaVe PR
Subject: Re: Update on the Cademon Project Proposal
Date: Tuesday, Jun 9, 2025 at 9:30 AM
From: CarolConte@secondwavepr.com
To: JessicaMorgan@secondwavepr.com
Jesse-
Thank you for clarifying. I understand that you had some confusion with the client’s initial request, and that keeping to the budget constraints can be a challenge. However, this should not take as much time as you are insinuating. I know you can do it :) We regularly need to be flexible for our clients, and I expect you to be a team player. I don’t think blaming your mistakes on Leila is productive. You know I always have your back, and think the world of you! Let me know how I can help. Please share your updated proposal by EOD. You go girl!
Thanks so much!
Carol Conté
Director of Communications
SeCoNd WaVe PR
Subject: Re: Update on the Cademon Project Proposal
Date: Tuesday, Jun 9, 2025 at 9:43 AM
From: JessicaMorgan@secondwavepr.com
To: CarolConte@secondwavepr.com
Carol,
I appreciate your support and I didn’t mean to come off confrontational- at all. Sorry! This situation was beyond my control, and I cannot realistically fix the proposal by EOD. As I mentioned, I’ve been managing since Leila quit last week. There is not enough time for me to complete these projects to my usual standards, and I feel uncomfortable sharing such low-quality work with our clients. Would another team member be able to help? Thanks again for your help with this.
Jessica Morgan
Strategic Communications Specialist
SeCoNd WaVe PR
Subject: Re: Urgent: Update on the Cademon Project Proposal
Date: Tuesday, Jun 9, 2025 at 10:05 AM
From: CarolConte@secondwavepr.com
To: MarisaErring@secondwavepr.com
Hi Marisa,
I spoke with Jesse. She’ll share the updated proposal by tomorrow morning at the latest. Thank you for your understanding!
Warmly,
Carol
Carol Conté
Director of Communications
SeCoNd WaVe PR
Subject: Re: Update on the Cademon Project Proposal
Date: Tuesday, Jun 9, 2025 at 11:17 AM
From: CarolConte@secondwavepr.com
To: JessicaMorgan@secondwavepr.com
Jesse,
I appreciate your self awareness, but you clearly need to manage your time better. There is no reason you can't finish these projects within the given timeframe. You know we're short-staffed, and I expected you to behave with more professionalism and not limit yourself. Your assertion that following a reasonable timeline would mean your work would be ‘low quality’ and not ‘up to your usual standards’ is concerning to say the least. You are an integral member of this team and I’ve never expected perfection. If you must, please hand it in tomorrow morning. I’ll speak with Marisa and advocate on your behalf. You know I have your back.
Carol Conté
Director of Communications
SeCoNd WaVe PR
Subject: Re: Update on the Cademon Project Proposal
Date: Tuesday, Jun 9, 2025 at 9:03 PM
From: JessicaMorgan@secondwavepr.com
To: CarolConte@secondwavepr.com
Hi, Carol,
This isn’t the first time I’ve expressed concerns about the workload, especially with the consistent turnover in colleagues. I believe my request is reasonable. I know the work doesn’t have to be perfect, I just want to provide you and Marisa with the deliverables you’ve requested.
I’m disappointed that my concerns continue to be seen as excuses. Reassuring me that it’s “just a one-time thing” and that “I’ve got this” ultimately invalidates my experiences and doesn’t resolve the underlying issues.
When I set clear boundaries and am realistic about my capacity, I’m told I’m “limiting myself.” That framing is inherently problematic. These conditions have significantly impacted my mental health over the past few months, and I’ve reached my breaking point.
Jessica Morgan
Strategic Communications Specialist
SeCoNd WaVe PR
Subject: Re: Update on the Cademon Project Proposal
Date: Tuesday, Jun 9, 2025 at 11:45 PM
From: CarolConte@secondwavepr.com
To: JessicaMorgan@secondwavepr.com
Hi, Jesse,
This seems like an overreaction. I know you can do it! Call me ASAP.
Carol Conté
Director of Communications
SeCoNd WaVe PR
Subject: Update
Date: Wednesday, Jun 10, 2025 at 1:00 PM
From: JessicaMorgan@secondwavepr.com
To: CarolConte@secondwavepr.com
CC: RaynaAssante@secondwavepr.com
Hi Carol,
After thoughtful consideration, I have made the difficult decision to leave SeCoNd WaVe PR. Thank you for this opportunity. I am copying Rayna, as she directed me to include her on any future correspondence while my resignation is processed.
Wishing you the best,
Jesse
Jessica Morgan
Strategic Communications Specialist
SeCoNd WaVe PR
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Oh this reminds me of Toodaloo by LoeWhaley (youtube shorts and on tiktok too I think?) Very well written and so in tune with the times (well, in the States at least). Life is too short to continue being unappreciated. (Oh, and join a union).
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These emails seem very true to life. I like how you showed how praise can be weaponized to push people past their limits. Also, I caught that the initial email was the VP attempting to assign blame to the specialist to hide their mistake? I liked it! The title is very fitting too :)
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