Work wankers

[Saffy118]

I was offered a new position/promotion a few months ago (informally) by my boss and just found out through the grapevine, not even first hand, that actually they have hired someone new to do the position as they want to keep me as a minion.

Based on the offer of the promotion I stated I would increase my working days from 2-4, however after the disappointment of being the last to find out this would not be happening, I decided not to increase my days as it would be stressful to work extra when I have small children and without the promotion, not really worth my while. I informed my boss by email that based on the situation changing I had charged my mind about increasing my working days and received a veiled threat back that if I didn’t increase my days as I said it would cause a huge problem for the office and I would have problems progressing with any promotions in the future.

What should I say/do?

It's reasonable to say that it would be difficult to progress on a 2 day a week contract, my response would be you are willing to increase your time if there is an opportunity you are successful in securing, but you are not willing to increase hours with your current role. Was the other role advertised, did you interview for it?

Thank you but I’m not sure it is reasonable. As a part time worker you are not supposed by law to be treated any differently from a full time worker. Equally, as women are usually part time workers due to taking on the majority of the childcare we are protected from being discriminated against because we can only work part time. Therefore doesn’t it stand to reason that if a full time worker doing the same job can progress in that job then the part time worker should also be allowed that opportunity? Maybe I am interpreting it wrong.

honestly I think it wouldn’t matter if I did 7 days. Actions speak louder than words and they have shown me that they really couldn’t give a shit about my progression. It’s all just a means to get them what they want, which is me working all hours with no chance of progression.