job created for one person

[sorbetandcream1]

I work for nhs in a clinical role. I've worked for the same department for 10 years. We are very short staffed. Three of us do the same job-same grade. I'm the most experienced, most qualified, have most duties. Never had any problems and hAve a good reputation. Been asking for a promotion for long time. Always told no money. Never given any indication promotion would ever be a possibility. Last month one of my colleagues (same grade) informed management she was leaving. Got a promotion at a different hospital. We work in a specialist areas that is very difficult to recruit to. When she handed her notice in, she said she was only leaving because she wanted promotion and that she loved the team, would stay if she could. She asked management if there was any chance of promotion as this would stop her leaving (she told us all this). Just after she said she was leaving, miraculously, we all got told about a promotion that had opened up in the department. It just happens to be the exact hours that the lady who is leaving works. It seems that the job was created quickly to stop her going. It's for internal applicants only. I feel like there's no point applying-it's going to go to this colleague. I will not stay if this does happen. Is this allowed? What are people's thoughts? Seems so unfair.

[Fluffsnuts]

I agree it seems unfair and like it has been created 'for her'. However by opening it up to other candidates they are doing nothing wrong. I also work for the NHS and know that their recruitment processes are reasonably rigorous, if I were you I would apply, and if unsuccessful (but she is successful) I'd be questioning this higher up.

[RebootYourEngine]

I would apply for it and like fluffs if you were unsuccessful id be questioning it.

[flowery]

Is it a brand new job, additional to the post she is leaving, or is it that her 'old' job has been regraded higher and turned into a more senior role?

In terms of whether it's 'allowed', well I don't know what the internal NHS procedures are for justifying a higher graded role, but I assume they will have followed them.

In terms of whether it's 'allowed' to have already decided on a favoured internal candidate, well, in the NHS they will have to go through a proper recruitment process, but when a post is open to internal candidates who are known to the recruiting managers it would be naive and unrealistic to think they never have preferences/a strong idea of who they expect to be successful.

If you are more qualified than this person, and the role requires higher qualifications than the job you have both been doing, obviously that is an advantage. More experience is much less important- obviously there are plenty of people who have years and years of experience being mediocre at a job (not suggesting this is you), while there are others who are fantastic at their job even though they've not been doing it long.

Apply for the role if you want it, see how it goes, and if you feel (looking at the person specification for the role) that you were a better fit, you could raise your concerns.

[flopsypopsymopsy]

Perhaps it has been created as they have finally 'heard' you/her? Is she going to apply? Are you? I would and if you don't get it then see how you feel. I was under the impression that to get promoted in the NHS then you have to move jobs/departments not sit tight and hope it will happen.

Be glad you are in the NHS. The grading structure and recruitment processes seem to be fair. Not the same can be said of most private sector companies!

[daisychain01]

If they want to keep your colleague, and the only way they will do it is to promote through the "new role", by all means throw your hat in the ring, but be prepared for disappointment. If you get the promotion that will be a bonus, but don't bank on it.

Sorry to say it like this but why would they promote you, when they will lose the (difficult to find expertise in your clinical dept) headcount of your colleague, especially when she has openly stated she'll leave. It is highly likely their intention to keep you at your current grade and give your Colleague the post then both head counts are filled.

The management will find a way of justifying it if that's what they need to run their department.

[daisychain01]

I was under the impression that to get promoted in the NHS then you have to move jobs/departments not sit tight and hope it will happen

That is true of both public and private sector organisations.

The old regime of "dead mans shoes" is long gone, jobs for life no longer exist. Tough environment out there!

[sorbetandcream1]

Daisychain. .I completely agree with your comment. I think the plan will be to give the promotion to my colleague so that they can hold on to her. It makes sense. As I mentioned earlier, Im planning on leaving if I don't get the job. I'd already been thinking of leaving prior to this happening and will hand my notice in immediately if Idon't get the promotion. I sort of wish my managers knew my intentions. I can't say anything, can I?

[FinallyHere]

'Cant say anything, can I?'

Not until you have another role you would be happy to go to. That's the game, I'm afraid. Public/private, makes very little difference. Sorry for you but there it is. Just know that you will have a great future, whatever you decided to do.

[sorbetandcream1]

Oh, I do have a plan. I don't want to go into detail here, because it's outing. But if I don't get the job, I will be in a position to hand in my notice immediately. (And I'm not doing anything crazy/ stupid). I guess my future work plans (should I not get a promotion) are irrelevant. The point is that I will hand my notice in immediately. I'd already been planning this for a while...this job coming up has prompted me to consider staying. Do I say anything?

[FinallyHere]

No sure I follow you. Are you asking whether to apply for the new role? What have you to loose , other than people thinking you have resigned in a fit of pique for not getting the role? Would you rather always wonder whether you would have got the role? Maybe tell yourself you would have been chosen, if you had applied rather than find out for sure?

[itlypocerka]

I think you should be up-front about your intention so that in the recruitment process your employers know that they are choosing which highly-valued employee they want to retain, rather than being under the impression that if they appoint the other person they get to keep you too

Are you just as difficult-to-replace?

[sorbetandcream1]

Yes- it will be very difficult to replace me if I leave. I will be just as difficult to replace as my colleague (I'm probably a bit more difficult to replace actually). I haven't told anyone in management that I'm going to leave if I don't get this job. Think I probably will say something.

[OllyBJolly]

Think I probably will say something

Be careful how you word this - you don't want it to sound that you're holding them to ransom. I'd suggest phrasing it around how you feel it's time for a new challenge, and this role offers that. You were feeling that you were stagnating and not being stretched, and the new job offers the opportunity to remain with the organisation you're committed to, rather than be tempted to look elsewhere..

[daisychain01]

Don't burn your bridges sorbet.

You've already decided they'll give the promotion to your colleague. That's a done deal I think. So what's the point stirring up the hornets nest for no benefit to you.

If you have something else lined up you'll need a good reference won't you? They'll owe you a favour so call them on it by saying you've found another job and can they give you a strong reference. Then leave on good terms, professionally.

[NightWanderer]

You're entitled to apply for the promotion, so I would do so. If you don't apply then there is really nothing your employer can do in terms of promoting you. It's just an application, you don't have to accept the position if you don't want to. You don't have to stay on, if you don't want to, but I don't see what you have to lose in applying for the promotion.

[KickAssAngel]

I wouldn't say anything as 1. You may for some reason want to stay on until your other plans work out, or 2. For me, I'd like to know that they chose me because I was better, not because they were pressured into it, 3. They may think that you leaving anyway gets them off the hook.
What if your 3rd colleague then pipes up and says she's leaving? They're being idiots. If there is the chance of a promotion, they offer it properly, not under duress, otherwise they'll end up having to promote all of you, and you'll all still feel a bit crap about it, because they only bothered because they had to. Keep quiet, do what's best for you, let the bosses be idiots.

[sorbetandcream1]

This situation is really stressing me out. To get the job, my managers would have to consider I'm better than two employers. Of course I'm not!

I have applied for the job but I'm setting myself up to fail.