Passed up on promotion

[ellie09]

So, in my work we get EOY apprisals where there is a certain amount of automatic promotions allocated.

I've been with the company 4 years. I've worked my backside off the last year covering illness and as the more experienced team member, I've had to help out the others in the team quite often.

I was disappointed in my appraisal I must say. I got given a pay rise, and a bonus similar to last year. The feedback given to me was that the team would be lost without me, I'm so experienced and great with helping out with others and next chance I get I should apply for promotion. Despite this, I was given the same rating as last year (where admittedly I didn't work as hard)

There are two others in my team. They've been there for around one year and are very friendly with the manager. They know about 30% of the processes I do, and I regularly help them with their work etc. They work hard and are nice people but I don't feel as though they are on the same level as me.

Anyhow, the two of them got automatic promotions.

We are told to keep hush hush about any news we are told but I overheard conversations as they sit behind me.

I am obviously very upset. I've always been considered the more tenured team member, the one people apparently "need" and I have been passed up over them.

As its not common knowledge, I'm sitting here today keeping my mouth shut, really trying to hold back tears of frustration and anger. I'm thinking about taking some time off.

AIBU?

What would you guys do in my situation?

No, two women. There's a big push at the moment to promote women in my workplace

This happened to me, got passed over for promotion so I left got a £6k payrise and actually enjoy my job more . I’d leave.

"There are two others in my team. They've been there for around one year and are very friendly with the manager."

This is the key part people are missing. Internal promotion is 99% tied to who is friendliest with the manager.

And yet OPs previous thread would indicate that isn’t the full picture.

I agree with this. Unfortunately this happens a lot. The manager wants the people higher up to be their friend, it makes their life easier.

Could also be a discrimination issue, if the manager and the other two employees are males for example. Males do still have the advantage of higher salaries, better titles and being viewed as easier colleagues unfortnately.

Passed over for promotion. Passed up on promotion would mean you were offered it and said no.

It sounds like there is a back story and this isn't as simple as your OP implies.

This happened to one of my DC, they kept asking for more responsibility and being told they'd be given it, only for someone else who was threatening to leave being given the extra responsibilities to make them stay. My dc had had enough of working hard and being passed over and left, now gets more money elsewhere - it was their loss

Yeah, bollocks to that

Get your CV polished and move on - they dont respect you or your skills

I would definitely have a candid conversation with your manager.

Make it about you not your co-workers.

Ask HR (or manager if there is no HR team) what their policy is around automatic promotions vs applied for promotions. Ask how the process is applied in your company.

Tell them you would like a promotion ASAP and you are disappointed you did not receive one automatically in your EOY review. Ask what are the skill sets you need to improve upon to be promoted.

Be clear with them what you want. Also be clear that you feel under appreciated as you are unsure if the automatic promotion process has been applied consistently and fairly across your team.

PS I have never got a promotion in my career without asking for one. You need to ask regularly for a promotion. If it doesn't happen, look elsewhere. It would be helpful to know which sector you are in and the size of company.

I'd be looking for something else.

Do they have children?
Do they have a higher level of qualification? Maybe a degree and you don’t?

What does automatic promotion mean?

To me it means that it is independent of how well you've done, more that after say 3 years in a particular position, as long as the work has been done to the level you are contracted to do, then you'd get promotion to the next level.

But this sounds like promotions were given based on performance exceeding expectations.

A manager once told me that it is always noted how people react not getting a job/promotion so definitely try (as much as it is hard) not to show any emotion or upset as this will be what is remembered

Instead do that over the weekend in private and come in on Monday ask for a 121 and clear examples of where you have not met the promotion criteria as you want to ensure that you put it in your personal development plan this year. If the criteria is written down anywhere better still have it to hand and go through each point one by one

It will either give you good feedback to work on or it will be vague which proves that promotions such as this are something a popularity contest and if that is the case start looking for something new

Hmm would moving company be viable? I think I would lose respect for my manager and the company if this happened to me OP, I understand why your so upset and frustrated.

I think I would look for another job, and when I hand in my notice I would tell them exactly why.

Do they have children? - why?

Do they have a higher level of qualification? Maybe a degree and you don’t? Could be relevant

I'm am kind of in your situation and for the same reason. My 121/Year End and feedback is off the charts. My area should be a team of three and I'm currently making it work with just me. I didn't get promoted, even though I'm the sole member of this team and the promotion was available. How the fuck does that even work.

So I went elsewhere with our business area for a promotion - got the job and a lovely pay rise. My current unit made it so awkward for me to go (demanded extended handover time/ wanting an agreement that I could come back at peak times/ cover for leave) - that the other department then withdrew.

Everyone is up in arms as I no longer do the job of three. I refuse. I do my job. You fuck me over for a pay rise in the middle of a cost of living crisis just because you know I get that job done. Well, not anymore.

Do the other women have children? Are you all similar ages?

You need to ask your manager for clear criteria on which the promotion decisions are made. If knowledge, experience and commitment (which you have, and has been acknowledged) have not played into the decision, you need to know what has. If you then feel you've been assessed incorrectly in line with the criteria they're looking for, then you may have grounds to challenge.

If its automatic then why are applications necessary? I'm a bit lost.

The others do not have children and are early 20s. I'm turning 30 soon

Also it is based on ratings. We are rated 1-5 according to performance. I was well aware a 4 was needed, so I was aiming for this and was expecting it. I've had a few errors throughout the year (minor ones such as one email being missed, like EVERY member of my team but nothing major)

I was rated a 3 "consistently strong" and they told me I don't exceed because of a few minor faults throughout the year. Its been also highlighted to those promoted that they have also had minor faults. This is despite being told I've went above and beyond so their words aren't matching their actions unfortunately and I'm really confused as to why this is

They like you where you are OP. You've become important in the things you do. They'll never promote you.

I'd be job hunting me.

All sounds a bit awful really

Stop helping them, just say sorry I don't have time at the moment.

Is there anyway you can see what their work is like compared to yours?

I personally would let rip at my manager and demand evidence and an explanation

You are ready OP to apply for a more senior role elsewhere and ask for £10K more

Just do your job now and stop offering assistance or help

Leave on time everyday / stop working so hard

and find another job

it's not worth being loyal to them

I remembered that too.

@ellie09 When you have digested that and had the weekend to think it through, ask to see your line manager and talk it all through, explain how the additional work you took on, for the benefit of the team, seems to have stymied your progression. Worst case scenario would be that you agree a set of short, medium and long term goals you could work towards to increase your standing next year. As Testina points out, you have already said that you have worked hard, filled gaps for the team and have 'settled' for not increasing your own professional standing as it suits your current lifestyle, child care etc. You have probably not met the tick box threshold for the automatic promotions, which is why you were told to apply for the next advertised one.

And yes, don't be so bloody understanding any more. Definitely don't help train them!