To find this an annoying response when I say I'm applying for a promotion

[Vintagejazz]

A promotion has come up in a company from which I'm currently on secondment to a job I love. I have decided to go for the promotion anyway as it's good experience - it might, if I do well, help me to push for a higher salary here, - and it's good to keep my options open as you never know what's around the corner.

Some people are going for it, others aren't - we all have our reasons. But a couple of people are doing the 'oh God no, I'm not applying. I want to spend less time in here not more' 'Ooh no, I have a life' reaction when asked if they're applying.

AIBU to find that a bit irritating and think people could just say 'no I've decided not to go for it this time' or whatever, instead of implying that there's something superior about them not being interested?

[echt]

Why are you even discussing this with your colleagues?

YABVVU. You made your interest public, so why wouldn't they comment?

[DoJo]

Why does it bother you? Do you value these peoples' opinions particularly? If you have your reasons for wanting to apply, then surely they are allowed to have their reasons not to - I would interpret that as being 'superior', just having reasons why they don't want to apply.

[CoffeeTea103]

Why do you care?

[Daisymasie]

YANBU. That used to happen where I worked as well and it was annoying. If I wasn't going for a promotion I would just say 'no, I'm not really interested' 'I don't feel ready for it yet' or some such. I could never understand people making a point of sticking their noses in the air and going 'God no. Why would I want to spend even more time in here. I'm far too busy' etc. It did come across as trying to make out they had a life outside of work and the people applying for the upgrade didn't.
Echt, anywhere I've worked promotions have been the subject of much discussion, with everyone asking everyone if they were applying or not. Of course it's something people discuss with their colleagues.

[Hollyhobbity]

I would find that annoying OP. I used to work in the public service where some promotions were done on interview and some on seniority. It was amazing how so many of the people who were 'too busy' 'not interested in being stuck in this place for even more hours' etc when an interview was coming up, were quite glad to take the promotion when it was offered to them on seniority.
Fair enough, some people don't like interviews, but trying to make the people doing the interview feel like saddos who are too interested in their job is childish.

I also don't understand why people wouldn't discuss an upcoming promotion process amongst colleagues. It's not some kind of a state secret.

[Upwiththelark]

I got a comment like that once when I was applying for a more senior position and I did feel it was a bit of a put down. I didn't go for a promotion recently because I genuinely don't want to commit any more time than I already do to work but if any colleague asked if I was going forward I just said 'No. It wouldn't really suit me at the moment, but best of luck with it'. No need to be rude.

[Charlesroi]

OK, I they're not sure they'd get the job and don't want to be thought of as 'losers' if they don't. Hence the 'ooh no, don't want to spend any more time here' excuses. They are probably applying for more senior positions elsewhere.

[CumberCookie]

I don't understand why you care. You said you love your job - others don't that's there issue. It means there is less competition for the promotion. It's a win win all round.

I suppose I can see that its annoying that you think they are making themselves sound superior but then they probably think the same of you for going for it.

I really don't understand the problem.

Good luck btw

[squoosh]

Wouldn't bother me at all. Surely their reasons for not applying are as valid for yours for applying? I wouldn't read any sense of superiority from their comments, just that they're content with their work life balance as it currently is.

[Vintagejazz]

Fair enough. I will accept IABU (and just wish this bloody interview was over).

[zeezeek]

No, actually you aren't. There are people like that in every workplace and they do give the definite impression that they think they are more superior, have more interesting lives etc and, actually, if they are that uncommitted to their career then they don't deserve a promotion anyway!

[Upwiththelark]

There was a thread recently about people who couldn't just say they weren't free to go to the Christmas Party/Boss's leaving drinks but had to make a big 'ooh no, I keep my work and social life separate. I never socialise with colleagues" statement about it.

I think people who can't simply say 'no I've decided against going for that promotion. It just doesn't suit me at the moment' instead of 'ooh no. Why would I apply for something that means spending more time in here. I have a life' fall into the same category.

There's just something a bit ungracious and' trying to put the other saddos down' about it.

[zeezeek]

I quite agree. It is really quite annoying for those of us who actually enjoy our work to be sneered at and told that we have no life and are saddos etc etc.

[Minnieisthedevilmouse]

Most people refer to their job as job. Pays bills.

Very few love their job. They love being paid (for five mins til bills paid!)

Ergo I'm rather surprised you're surprised....

[PassTheCakeitsbeenatough1]

I was thinking YABU, it's nothing to do with you what their reasons are. However, I've never really thought of that as a put down and on second thoughts, it does sound rather superior. I'm very guilty of this myself, I've actually said it as a way of hiding my insecurities about going for a promotion though. Being a bit 'over it' could be a defence mechanism because they need another reason other than 'because I know I wouldn't get it' or 'I'm not prepared to be rejected'.

[zeezeek]

Minnie - that is a rather sweeping statement as most people I know genuinely love their job.

Still, I suppose those of us who take what we do are the ones who actually deserve a promotion rather than the idiots who are there only under sufferance.

[DoJo]

Why idiots? Shouldn't you feel lucky that you love your job and have a little sympathy for the people who don't get anything out of the 40 or so hours a week they spend doing it?