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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think it is pointless applying for a promotion

20 replies

user1067884 · 12/05/2023 17:51

I applied for a promotion at work last year but my manager told me I wasn't suitable for the job as I work part time and that I would have to work full time. I don't work full time due to a health condition.
A few months later another part time colleague applied and got the job which upset me as I was told it was full time only.
Now another promotion has come up but I don't know if I should bother applying just to be told I'm not suitable again.
I don't know if there was another reason why the manager didn't want me to apply for the job but to use the part time argument is unfair.

OP posts:
Stokey · 12/05/2023 17:53

Is the other person doing it part-time too? Have you got an HR department? I'd talk with them or raise it again with your manager. What's your relationship like with them generally?

MrsDoylesDoily · 12/05/2023 17:54

I don't know if there was another reason why the manager didn't want me to apply for the job but to use the part time argument is unfair.

Is the reason you don't know, because you didn't ask?

If you want promotion, you need to be assertive and find out.

Yellowrosesmakemehappy · 12/05/2023 17:55

Agree you need to be assertive. Do you have one to ones with your line manager? I would totally be discussing this type of thing.

NEmama · 12/05/2023 17:55

Ask them!

Original poster
user1067884 · 12/05/2023 18:01

MrsDoylesDoily · 12/05/2023 17:54

I don't know if there was another reason why the manager didn't want me to apply for the job but to use the part time argument is unfair.

Is the reason you don't know, because you didn't ask?

If you want promotion, you need to be assertive and find out.

When I asked I was told because it had to be full time, then when my part time colleague got the job I was told that she was more flexible than me. so thats why she got the job. She works 4 full days, I work 4 half days.

OP posts:
titchy · 12/05/2023 18:03

There's a huge difference between four full days and four half days though! Four full days is very close to FT. Four half days is nowhere near.

lionsleepstonight · 12/05/2023 18:05

You're 0.48ish FTE and your colleague is 0.80 FTE. That's quite different 'part time'.

I'm surprised you can't see that.

CoffeeCakeAndALattePlease · 12/05/2023 18:06

I think it’s a valid reason and 4 1/2 days is hugely different to 4 full days.

I was interested in a promotion 2 years ago but I was p/t and they wouldn’t even consider it. Last year I wanted to try again and decided I’d be willing to go f/t…. I got the job. Their business needs will dictate how flexible they can be.

any chance of a job share?

Skyliner1 · 12/05/2023 18:08

Sorry op, I'm with the others, there is a huge different between 4 1/2 days and 4 days. She works twice as many hours as you. That will be far easier for them to accommodate.

A job share might be an option, but only if they can find someone else suitable who wants those hours.

Hankunamatata · 12/05/2023 18:09

I wouldn't really classify 4 days as part time. Sorry

Original poster
user1067884 · 12/05/2023 18:14

lionsleepstonight · 12/05/2023 18:05

You're 0.48ish FTE and your colleague is 0.80 FTE. That's quite different 'part time'.

I'm surprised you can't see that.

@lionsleepstonight I can see it, I just feel gutted because its something I would love to do and I'm annoyed with myself that i can't.
I did offer to work 5 half days but it wasn't enough.

OP posts:
Original poster
user1067884 · 12/05/2023 18:23

lionsleepstonight · 12/05/2023 18:05

You're 0.48ish FTE and your colleague is 0.80 FTE. That's quite different 'part time'.

I'm surprised you can't see that.

sorry should have added the hours we both work, I do 20 hours per week and she does 28.

OP posts:
MrsDoylesDoily · 12/05/2023 18:35

user1067884 · 12/05/2023 18:01

When I asked I was told because it had to be full time, then when my part time colleague got the job I was told that she was more flexible than me. so thats why she got the job. She works 4 full days, I work 4 half days.

Show quote history

Well there's your answer then.

YANBU to think it's pointless applying for a promotion.

SunshineAndFizz · 12/05/2023 18:35

I've been a hiring manager, with a budget for a FTE, and someone applied who wanted to work 3 days. In all honesty I'd be losing out if I hired them (no matter how good they were), as I could have got 5 days of work from someone else.

YoBeaches · 12/05/2023 18:38

They were honest though - colleague was more flexible than you and does work 40% more hours than you do.

It is limiting if hours are restricted - that's a fact of life. What is preventing you from working more hours at this stage?

Original poster
user1067884 · 12/05/2023 18:51

YoBeaches · 12/05/2023 18:38

They were honest though - colleague was more flexible than you and does work 40% more hours than you do.

It is limiting if hours are restricted - that's a fact of life. What is preventing you from working more hours at this stage?

@YoBeaches I offered to work another day so 5 half days making my total hours 25.
I don't work full days due to a health condition.

OP posts:
PokerFace2 · 12/05/2023 22:19

I know how you feel OP, I always felt that I was never considered for promotion in my workplace due to working part time due to ill health (cancer).
I stopped trying for promotions in the end and put my health first.

AllegraWalterJones · 12/05/2023 22:46

'Flexible' = work more than contracted hours. Which, if you cannot work more for health reasons isn't really feasible.

I don't think promotion is impossible - but you do have to make a good business case. Presumably you know the role - if it's worth 37.5+ hours of work (35 FT plus an extra 30 mins minimum per day) how will you manage on 25? What value will you bring compared to someone working FT?

Some roles rely heavily on the post holder's individual expertise, relationships and decision making.... these cannot really be done PT as the skills are not transferable. Some just need the more senior person to 'guide'.

Only you know what the job requires

Bluemuf · 12/05/2023 22:50

If you want the job apply, don't talk to people who will give you reasons you might not get it.

Women particularly, are terrible for this. Don't apply unless they can meet every criteria. The vast majority of the time no candidate will fill exactly everything they've asked for. They may well prefer a FT and you might not get it, but if they can't find a suitable full time person, you might.

You've nothing to lose and everything to gain from applying.

WishingMyLifeAway · 13/05/2023 03:00

I'd apply. I'd also ask if they'd consider a job share if you can stretch to 5 1/2 days.

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