They say
“I thought someone else was doing it.”
Your response
“Tell me what made you believe someone else owned it. I’ll check how the work was assigned. Then we’ll name one owner and agree how we confirm handoffs next time.”
01
First, check this
Was one person clearly named as the owner, or did you assume that general awareness amounted to an assignment?
02
Why this works
The statement may reveal a real ownership gap rather than avoidance. Asking what created the employee’s understanding lets the manager examine the assignment and the handoff. Naming one owner prevents shared responsibility from becoming no responsibility. This page stays focused on who owned the work; whether it was treated as important belongs to the next conversation.
03
Don’t say
“You should have known it was yours.”