Teenager offered 'my job' cause her auntie is the boss!!

[mrsmillsfanclub]

I can't specify what my line of work is, but I have worked for this place for about a year and they have told me they are very happy with my work, the way I get on with colleagues, etc.
I was out of work for 6 months after I got my degree, and only managed to get my current job by starting on a voluntary basis and after a few months was fortunate to be offered some part time hours.
Well, my boss approached me last week and offered me the chance to train so that I can gain a much-wanted qualification which would enable me to earn treble what I earn at the moment. However, she stated that she was going to offer the opportunity to her assistance 20 year old neice next year, and that I would have to wait until the following year to do it.
I know in the current climate I should be grateful to be offered any work at all, but I am greatly underpaid for the work I do and considering the qualifications I have, but I always hoped it would lead to a chance to gain this other qualification (which is why I took the job).
I have to sit opposite this girl everyday (she is observing for a few weeks) and hear her moan to others that it is not an ideal position for her but she'll take it cause she has nothing else in the pipeline after she completes uni next year
AIBU ? Im nearly 40, have worked really hard to retrain and bring up my child mainly online. Am i being a cow?

No you are not BU/a cow. As an employer I think this is grossly unfair, even if it seems completely within the law.
What was you employer's view about you training for the qualification before the niece came on the scene? Does this company need 2 people doing a similar job?

"bring up my child mainly online"

ROFL at the Freudian slip.

No you're not being a cow. Nepotism at it's finest and it's shit.

yanbu
not sure how much you can do about it htough

nepotism is rife where I work and it's NHS

crikey, there was some very dodgy typing on my email wasn't there-a relative rang just as I was getting towards the end and I wanted to be smart and continue writing while chatting, not a good idea!!

Thank you all for your support. I meant to say I have brought my child up mainly alone, and worked really hard to restudy, work etc. Its true that they didn't offer me the chance of taking this qualification when I started the job, but the boss kept saying to other members of staff that I was a 'lucky find' and they have increased my responsibilites greatly in the last few months (no change in wage though . They know they have me bound because I have made no secret of wanting to obtain this qualification. I wouldn't have been so upset if the other girl had been outstanding or even very enthusiastic about the work. At least the boss has the decency to look suitably embarassed when she sees me, but her assistant (who's niece is it) couldn't care tuppence.

Say how you feel - doesn't seem as if you have much to lose. They can't sack you for saying you feel undervalued and shoddily treated. Everyone also has the right to ask for a pay rise.

I do really love the job tippy-its just those in authority im angry with. I am not very assertive when it comes to them, always make me feel like I should be eternally grateful to have got into their 'club' in the first place.

Do you get yearly appraisals or feedback sessions?
Or can you get the qualification another way? Give us a clue to the area you work in.

I could get this qualification if I do a postgrade course for a year, but the problem is it is very difficult to get on the course in the first place (applied to 6 places last year with no success). Secondly It means having to give up work as its an intensive full time course and I'd have to live on a very small grant as well as paying £4000 in Uni fees. With no cast-iron guarantee of a job at the end.
You can see what I mean when I say they have my nuts in a wringer (if I had any )

Is it like a SKIT thing, a QTS on the job placement?

Do you belong to a union? I would not take on any additional responsibility from this point on without a pay rise and would be looking for a new job. Realise now is not the best time, but you might find something.

Don't go out of your way to help them out at all. Work to rule if you possibly can.

This sucks

Yes Tippy, sorry to be so 'cloak and dagger', but you never know who may be reading these .
I have had one appraisal so far and the bloody assistant (her with the niece!) just said, well you'll be pleased to know we won't be reducing your hours. I only work part-time anyway (not through choice, its all they have to offer me), but at the time I felt she was holding something back. I now realise she'd probably been planning things for a while. I know I sound bitter,but I've just put my heart and soul into the job and Im panicky about how we're gonna manage for the next couple of years on such a small amount of money while I wait for this chance to qualify.
Thanks for your interest Tippy.

Thanks Karma. Thats so funny-I had been thinking of joining the union, mainly because I wouldn't put it past them to let me do my current job for as long as they can before telling me that they then can't offer me the chance to take this qualification after all.
Mind you, nothing has been put on paper, so its only my bosses word. I trust her, but its her assistant that pulls the strings I think.

Do you have any commitment (i.e. something in writing) from your boss that you are definitely going to be given this chance to train and qualify? Because the cynic in me sees it as entirely possible that they could use it to string you along, keep you working there cheaply and then dump you just when they have to deliver on their promise.

I am very cynical and would love to be wrong here.

Oops, x-posting with the OP. I type too slowly.

I was trying to be undercover myself , sorry if I outed you. I know that they are a nightmare to get onto so I can see why you are staying. Very annoying that the niece.
I have similar dilemmas as I cannot do the full time option that would get the same qualification and even the options you're on about are a nightmare unless you know where you'll be.
It's shit but I don't know what you can do. You have the relevant degree I guess? It's just the postgrad various options you have to do?

couldn't have put it better myself Whereyouleftit

Very annoying that the niece jumped the queue I meant. No idea where the rest of that went

Yes got the relevant degree Tippy, only need this final year thingy. Im working only 10 mins walk from home and in some respects I feel lucky, but Im increasingly getting the feeling Im doing tasks that I shouldn't even be responsible for purely because I have a degree (no one else in my job role who I work alongside has one, but their responsibilities are fewer whilst their pay is the same as mine!!

I am annoyed for you. No good advice tho sadly.
The only thing that you could do (my plan) is to try for either a private or FE level job so that you didn't need that qualification straight away and could do it part time on t'job. Or bite the bullet and do the student finance route.

There's no higher that you could go to make a complaint?

Thanks Tippy. I had thought about the FE route, but I really love working with young un's.
Its just been great to offload to someone, the rest of the staff haven't a clue whats gone on yet, and I don't want to start bitching incase that causes me further setbacks (as well as not being very nice of course ).
Fortunately she won't be around again now until she starts her training next year, but I can see me spending teabreaks next year avoiding the staff room or I'll be in tears.
Thanks again.

Bless you. Private smalls still wouldn't technically need that postgrad. Though there are prolly loads of people going for those jobs who do have it.
Maybe a little trickle bitching would be understandable
And I would really make sure you've exhausted all your other options. It doesn't sound like they deserve you.

mrsmills, you do not have to be grateful for the job; this is an exchange of services and it seems that your employers are getting very good value.
You might not feel this way but it sounds as if you are in fact in a strong position; they would not have bothered to string you along with a promise 2 years down the line if they could afford to lose you now.
Go back to your boss (having had time to reflect,etc.) and explain that you are disappointed to be passed over for someone who hasn't started and certainly hasn't had the time to show the same level of dedication than you. Tell her that you do not understand what her reasons are for choosing to do so. Say that you value the trust they are putting in you in giving you more responsibilities and that you would hope to see it reflected in increased hours, or wages, or even with the qualification being made available to you now (since you would have the time, working so few hours?). She has got to offer you something if she values you.
This is all very unfair and your boss knows it, but perhaps she does not realise how important the qualification is to you. Without rocking the boat too much, give her something to think about.
This is when you should be open and discuss all this, not when the DC is ensconced in the job.
Take heart, you are highly employable; you have a degree, plus one year experience and you still are less expensive than if you had this qualification: an employer's dream.
You've had to work hard to get where you are; don't give up and let them push you around now. Good luck!