WWYD-work/promotion dilemma

[Sammy135]

I started a new job 4 months ago. New job is in the same area of work, but a change in career and a bit of a step down for me (graduate entry, I have a post grad qualification and work experience). I knew when accepting the job but really wanted to build a career in that role though so accepted on the basis that when I had learmed the basics and gained some experience of that specific job I would be promoted.

Had an appraisal last week and it was agreed that I would be promoted as per the contract. I was asked not to discuss it witH the others in my team till all appraisals were over. Fine by me.

There are two others in the same role as me, one who started 6 months ago, one 10. Our email signatures contain our job roles and are not updated by us, HR does this. This weekend I replied to an email, then another, ended up in a chain. Next email comes through, asking to refer to info in a previous one, so I scroll down to find that there have been quite a few email exchanges in between that I have not been included in and they are discussing my change in role and are clearly not happy, going to discuss it with me tomorrow. The overall tone is that I have been deceitful and have used them as they trained me (I had to shadow everyone on the team on different tasks as part of my training, this is routine).

I really don't know how to handle this. I have no interest in their contracts/promotions/appraisals. All I know is that I can justify mine, I bring a lot to the team because of my experience, I perform well and it was in my contract. I just feel so awkward because they clearly feel aggrieved and their emails suggest it's because of me!

WWYD? How would you respond? I don't want to get dragged into justifying it, but were a small team, sit together and need to work together, and I don't think they will give up!

So how did they find out? You seem to imply that your signature had been auto updated.
While I do not condone their actions, that was a shitty way for them to find out, especially if you are going to be line managing them. I'd include thay in the list of things that went wrong.
Hope all goes well today.

Agree with Stealth, it sounds like a misunderstanding between your manager and HR. She specifically asked you not to discuss with them until after appraisals were over, but they let the cat out of the bag for whatever reason. Again, not in any way your fault, but I would flag it up.

Sorry that wasn't very clear - your manager asked you not to discuss with your colleagues but HR let the cat out of the bag.

I hope you haven't had a hard time and have managed to speak to your manager this morning.

How are you getting on op?

Any update?

Hi, thanks for all the advice-I've just had a chance to read through as DH picked me up from work to go out for dinner to celebrate

They found out via the email being changed, I think maybe it was going to be brought up in a group meeting this week. I see what everyone means about them finding out that way, but to be honest, me being promoted doesn't affect them in terms of their job-they don't report to me, my new role gives me more responsibilities to clients and means I need to take on international work. So I think it was more don't discuss it cause they don't want everyone coming in saying the want promoted too! If that makes sense?

Anyway, I'm always in first so forwarded the email to my boss (he was already cc'd in, but not sure if he seen it himself) and said that I wanted to bring it to his attention not because of what was said, but the fact that the client was included. He was not impressed at all, about any of it and wants to deal with all aspects. I said that was up to him but I didn't want to make any formal complaint/issue about the content of the email and that he could deal with it as he sees fit. Boss was then in a meeting all morning.

The vocal one did say something. More asking questions quite snide/irritated manner than confrontation. The others kept quiet-ish, asking a few questions. basically wanting to know how it came about, how did I manage to get a promotion when I'd only been there for a few months, it's not really fair is it?..' Nothing actually too bad, but it was more awkward than anything because I maintained a cheery demeanour throughout and stated that yes I was promoted, after my appraisal, I'm not sure about anyone else, query that with your manager. So they were clearly annoyed they weren't getting the response they wanted. I didn't let on about the me seeing the emails at this point as I didn't want to get into a discussion about it.

The final comment from the vocal one was 'maybe my email will randomly change over the weekend too'. So I replied to say yes I had noticed that had changed during the email exchange that we were all cc'd in along with the client. It's so unprofessional that they had to be party to the discussion.

They clearly didn't realise. So I got up to make some tea and left them to their discussions about how to deal with their mess! They have meeting tomorrow- we sit right next to each other, I over heard but refused to get drawn in.

So it wasn't anywhere near as bad (for me!) as I thought!

Excellent! Well handled.

Phew for that. Enjoy the new job X

That's great, perfectly done on your part. An awkward meeting tomorrow for all concerned though I imagine. Hope you had a lovely celebratory meal and enjoy your new role!

It's really not your fault that you negotiated better than they did. Certainly not something you need to justify to anyone.

Too many women are passive about promotion (I know its a problem of conditioning) and then get upset when it happens to anyone else. Promotions in the work place shouldn't be about waiting your turn but about who is best for the role but mostly they happen to those who push for it.

Hope you have a lovely celebration meal.

Do update again.