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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think this total snub at work is unfair

52 replies

littlepieces · 30/07/2021 22:41

On Monday I return to my usual team after being on secondment for six months, working on a one off project.

Just before I went on the secondment, there was talk of a new senior role in my team being created, and me and my manager discussed that it would be an ideal opportunity for me specifically to progress. I've basically been doing the work of this senior role since the start of the pandemic and have had nothing but praise. Manager said they would make sure I was put forward for it, despite me going on secondment, as the new role probably wouldn't materialise until the autumn.

Surprise surprise.. it was announced this week that someone else in our wider department has been promoted to this new role. I knew nothing about the new role being open, neither did anyone else. After some probing, turns out my manager did not suggest me for it at all.

I'm shocked, upset and livid all at once. Do I have reason to be? Obviously I'm looking for a new job now. Not sure how to approach this at work in the meantime?

OP posts:
AnneLovesGilbert · 30/07/2021 22:46

You’re right to be raging. That’s appalling.

I’m so sorry Flowers

No advice on what to do other than keep your head down and job hunt like mad.

GnomeOrMistAndIceGuy · 30/07/2021 22:48

I'd be furious. I'd be out of there like a shot.

user16395699 · 30/07/2021 22:48

That's disappointing.

My first suggestion would be to have a calm conversation with your manager to ask what happened and why you missed out.

Are you public sector or private sector?

user16395699 · 30/07/2021 22:51

Although if you've already decided that you're definitely going to leave then I'd agree to just keep your head down so you can exit on a positive footing.

Chipsandchesses · 30/07/2021 22:52

This happened to me a few months ago.

Pound to a penny the other person was considered “a flight risk” and they promoted them to keep them

Or your boss is a dick

Chipsandchesses · 30/07/2021 22:53

Oh and by the way, i was there 7 years and I handed my notice in, within 3 weeks. And don’t regret it

Angelofchaos · 30/07/2021 22:59

That's really shitty.

Can they just do that? Promote someone without opening it up to other applicants?

We can't, bit I don't know if that's just company policy tbh.

user16395699 · 30/07/2021 23:03

@Angelofchaos

That's really shitty.

Can they just do that? Promote someone without opening it up to other applicants?

We can't, bit I don't know if that's just company policy tbh.

Smaller places tend to work like that ime.
user16395699 · 30/07/2021 23:04

Promoting people without any kind of internal advertisement or application process, that is.

StarryStarrySocks · 30/07/2021 23:06

It sounds unfair all round. Just because you were doing the work of this senior role doesn't mean you should automatically have got it. The promotion should have been open for applications and if you were the best person, great. But there are probably other people who are just as pissed off that they've been overlooked.

Original poster
littlepieces · 30/07/2021 23:06

Thanks everyone, I feel a bit better. I work in public sector btw. I'm going to chat to my union rep next week although I assume there's basically nothing I can do. I've worked so hard recently, I'm just floored by this, it doesn't make sense. I emailed my boss asking why I've been overlooked considering our previous conversations and asked for a chat, but haven't had a response for two days now which is ominous.

Currently working from home and some of my colleagues have contacted me to ask if I knew, they're equally baffled. To be honest I think it's personal. Although we get on, my boss isn't on much more salary than me and made it quite clear when they took over my team that they're not impressed by this. (I've got a specific skill that warrants higher pay). I don't think they want me earning any closer to what they earn. Simple as that.

OP posts:
Lakeshore6 · 30/07/2021 23:08

That is awful OP I’m sorry 😞

Original poster
littlepieces · 30/07/2021 23:08

And yes I agree, it wasn't a done deal that it was my job, that's not fair either, but nobody got the chance to apply for it.

OP posts:
StarryStarrySocks · 30/07/2021 23:16

Shocked that it's public sector, that's appalling. I work in that sector and I know that there are often preferred candidates for roles but usually bosses at least go through the motions of advertising a job so others do get the chance to apply.
Your boss sounds like a twat and I hope something else comes up for you soon. Onwards and upwards!

HollowTalk · 30/07/2021 23:18

That's really awful. Is there any chance of a sideways move into another department?

ICouldHaveCheckedFirst · 30/07/2021 23:21

Appalling.
I'm ex-public sector and was involved in a lot of recruitment, and believe me, there's a lot of 'getting round' the usual processes with HR's support, in spite of what's in the policies / said publicly!

The PP who mentioned a 'flight risk' may be close to the truth. I've seen it happen quite often.

MsHedgehog · 30/07/2021 23:30

I know this won’t be helpful but could it be as simple as they forgot about you because you weren’t there. That’s a snub in itself, but might explain why?

Chloemol · 30/07/2021 23:36

Continue talking to the union and chase your manager for a response

Hold your head high when you go in, do your work, if the new role encumbrance asks questions on how something is done give the briefest details you can to not be seen as being difficult, and look for a new job

couchparsnip · 31/07/2021 00:01

Is this a permanent promotion? If so that's against all the public sector rules. It should be an open and fair trawl and this sort of thing shouldn't happen.
I wonder if they thought your role was harder to backfill?
It's wrong for whatever reason and I would definitely be talking to the union about the about lack of a proper trawl.

Original poster
littlepieces · 31/07/2021 00:56

Yes it's a permanent role.

Also good point about the backfill @couchparsnip could also be why, but realistically there are plenty of talented people with my skillset who would also want to work for the organisation.

OP posts:
memberofthewedding · 31/07/2021 01:23

I would give the new incumbent the least co-operation you can reasonably get away with. Or possibly feed them some misinformation so they look incompetent. Why make life easy for them?

Looubylou · 31/07/2021 08:08

I work for NHS, I once had a job description/required skills written specifically for me - ie it deliberately excluded any other internal applicant on the basis of qualifications. Sounds great for me doesn't it - unfortunately I was fully aware it was to get me out of the way in terms of a job for which I had expressed interest, and was ear marked for a less experienced, less qualified, friend of the manager. Shit goes on, regardless of policy.

Nobloat21 · 31/07/2021 08:12

Yes contact manager, HR, union rep about process not being followed.

Mummadeze · 31/07/2021 08:14

Sounds very unfair and disappointing.

nutellamagnet · 31/07/2021 08:18

Yes it's legal to appoint someone without opening for applications - and to be honest it's better practice to do so than to get loads of people writing cvs and spending time at interviews if the outcome is predetermined. Why waste everyone's time?

In my organisation (not public sector but close, and unionised), you would have been excluded from applying anyway as you were on a secondment already.

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