Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

1 2

Original poster

Have applied for an internal job. Should I keep quiet or tell my manager

40 replies

Lolabray · 20/12/2021 20:16

The place I work is having a massive restructure and we have been waiting a long time to know and still don’t know what’s happening.

In the meantime I have seen a better paid role within the same company.

My manager has always been quite honest and I think she would get cross if I did get an interview Without telling her first. at the same time she flies off the handle at little things so I have kept quiet because it is nearing Christmas and there’s been a lot going on at work.

The manager is away now until the new year and this is when short listing for the role will take place.

I am jumping the gun as I may not even get shortlisted however I also have to think ahead just in case. I just wondered what others thought please.

OP posts:

Royalbloo · 20/12/2021 21:21

Tell her

Glitteryone · 21/12/2021 02:12

It’s our company policy to inform your current line manager before applying for internal moves.

I think you should give your manager the heads up incase your internal mobility team catch her off guard.

LuaDipa · 21/12/2021 09:30

@AD3000

Where I work it would be seen as very bad form to not tell your manager so I would

This.

applesapplesapples · 21/12/2021 09:58

Personally I think it is courteous to tell your manager that you’ve applied. Your manager will almost certainly be contacted for an opinion so best they’re not surprised.

Original poster

Lolabray · 21/12/2021 19:27

Hi just to update and thanks for replying I have called my HR department who have said you don’t have to tell your manager that’s personal choice and also if I don’t get shortlisted then it may be pointless saying anything, for now I’m sitting back and thinking of what to do as she is on leave as am I until early jan x

OP posts:

WulyJmpr · 21/12/2021 19:34

In my experience your boss will become aware of your application through the grape vine anyway.

Also I've found it's better to get the support of your current manager before applying to internal positions otherwise it will probably end up being a non-starter anyway.

bestdhever · 21/12/2021 19:36

Yeah in my company we must inform and get permission from our manager to apply for another internal role

ShesGotAMapOfTheWorld · 21/12/2021 19:36

Depends on your relationship with your manager. I would rather get a WhatsApp message whilst on leave saying you had applied than be blindsided, mainly because I would want to support you and cheer you on. I want all my team to get on, I wouldn't necessarily want to lose them but if it's what the person really wants I would back them 100% and help if I could.

Bearsinmotion · 21/12/2021 19:40

I had this recently but my manager and I generally have a good relationship. He replied saying that he didn’t want to encourage me to apply but it looked like a good for me, which I really appreciate as it would be a promotion. Good luck!

Flev · 21/12/2021 19:42

I've never told my managers when applying for internal roles before - either in public or private sector.

EBearhug · 21/12/2021 23:51

We have to - the system will inform your current line manager when you apply, so it's better to tell them before that goes through.

blueshoes · 22/12/2021 00:08

@Ginkeepsmesane

Can you book in a one to one over email now, for the start of the year. That way you can say that you wanted to discuss face to face and she can see that you booked in with her as soon as you theoretically could. If it turns into nothing for the new job, then you could say you wanted to go over your work goals with view of progression over next few years?

This is a good idea.

Since HR says it is up to you, I'd hedge my bets this way.

For jobs, it ain't yours until you got the offer and your chances of getting it are a question mark. Posters seems to have wonderful bosses but if your boss were as emotional as you say, she might see it as disloyalty of sorts and an indication you do not like working for her and potentially write you off in her mind when it comes to promotions. No point inviting such negativity unless you are very very sure you will be successful.

Then once you have the job even if she does not support you, you are outy anyway.

When booking the meeting, try to book a low key placeholder in her calendar rather than an ominous face-to-face chat thingy (assuming you are allowed to go into the office) which will probably put her head in a spin and make her think up all kinds of disaster scenarios whilst on holiday. She won't thank you for the suspense.

PegasusReturns · 22/12/2021 00:17

It would be very bad form not to notify your manager in any job I’ve ever worked in. In fact it’s difficult to fathom why you wouldn’t. Unless you have an exceptionally shit manager.

Original poster

Lolabray · 22/12/2021 06:58

@PegasusReturns my manager is not exactly the calm type. And she has helped me but also shouted at me in front of people about things that weren’t my fault. So yes I’m 50:50 on this

OP posts:

Totallyanonymousplease · 22/12/2021 10:18

In reply to this:

But even if it wasn’t like that, what is the point of telling your manager you are applying for jobs when you don’t know what are your chances of getting it?

It could be a good way to start the conversation that you are ready for more responsibility and want to look at the role in your career. I would tell them!

Flip

1 2