Mat leave and missed promotion

[Nosurpr1ses]

I have worked for my employer (large privately owned organisation) 6 years. I’ve been waiting for a promotion for 1 year but these were all on hold due to financial position of the company. My manager has said I’m ready for promotion, scored highest marks on latest appraisal etc.

Just before I went on mat leave there was a rumour positions at the next level to me would be opening up soon. I explicitly gave my line manager my personal number and asked her to text when these came up so I could apply which she said she would do.

I had to access my work email yesterday to get some gift vouchers that they had sent for new DC’s arrival. I saw that 10 days ago an email was sent to the department with the internal vacancies, one is for the more senior position not just within my department but within my actual small team of 6!! I know my manager is working as I saw her last week when I met some work friends for lunch. Not a single person mentioned it to me then either.

I’m really angry that no one has mentioned this to me as I might have missed the boat to apply. Were they obligated to do this? And how would you word an email to them and the department lead asking why I didn’t get told?

Bumping this for you. Don't know but doesn't seem on at all...
Unless they expect you to check work emails all the time on maternity leave...

On a personal level, it’s a shame they didn’t mention it to you, perhaps your manager thought this would show favouritism in a very small team.

You have been notified via your work emails?

It’s disappointing, but I would not mention it. Especially if you can apply and have technically not missed out?

@Pippa12 its a small team but I’m the only person at a level that would be eligible to apply and the remainder report to me directly.

It was on a round robin type email reminding everyone that these roles are still open. So suggests they have been for a while.

Are the vacancies advertised externally?

In my line of work we do highlight at appraisal that people are ready for promotion- but they are not contacted personally when positions are advertised. It is assumed they would check website/emails (similar work email sent).

Im not sure if that’s normal practice. I assumed it was.

Would HR be happy about a manager telling an employee that a job was open and to apply? It could come across as a “nod and a wink” type situation, which could cause difficulties for everyone whatever the outcome

My experience is the same as @Pippa12 - people are expected to keep an eye on websites etc. if they want to apply for promotions though it will also be mentioned in company newsletters.

I don't think it's really appropriate to ask your boss to message you personally.

Just apply asap, say it's late as you had only just been made aware of the position as you are on maternity leave.

Don't ask, don't make a fuss, just get your application in.

Is it still open for applications? If so, I'd crack on and apply.

If not, I'd remind mgr and inform HR that you had requested to be in the loop for jobs and had given permission to mgr to contact you while on mat leave. I would expect to ba allowed a late application.

If it's been filled, I'd put in a grievance.

Given it was 10 days ago... I'd just apply.

As much as i hate to say it sometimes you just beed to focus on getting what you want, not being right.
Youll just piss your manager off and get her back up if you flag it... to what end???
it wont help you.get the job which is what, presumably, you want

You have learned a value truth about your managers and coworkers.
The only person on your team is you.

Edit: if its closed for applications or filled (which would be very unusual in my industry) i agree with @Notsuchafattynow

You haven't missed the deadline, so just apply

They are legally required to inform you and agree how this will happen.

I explicitly gave my line manager my personal number and asked her to text when these came up so I could apply which she said she would do

Which you did. 👆

However as it's still open on this occasion I would say just go ahead and apply.

There is no obligation on either the company or the individuals to tell you about this. Essentially, you are on maternity leave, so are away from the company.

That said, it would have been nice of them. Personally, I would probably have checked in regularly if there was something I didn't want to miss.

Get this moved to the work or legal board. In AIBU you’ll get loads of opinion not based on fact.
or contact pregnant and screwed to understand their obligations.

I thought if you were on maternity leave they are legally obliged to tell you? Acas says this;

Yes they are supposed to tell you.

Get this moved to legal or you'll just get a load of ill informed opinions on here telling you it's up to you to look at the website or whatever.

I hope the position hasn't closed & you're able to get an application in. If it has, I would contact HR and expect them to allow you a late application given the circumstances.

There's your answer then. Interestingly, if you complain about it, you will probably impede your chances of getting the promotion. Now you know about it, just apply. Maybe raise the question after you've been promoted?

Yes, they are very much meant to tell you and it could amount to maternity discrimination.

Legalities aside, get in touch with HR asap and tell them you’re interested in case a decision hasn’t been made yet.

You are right OP, but what a couple of us are saying is, if it's still open get applying.

If it's not, then kick up a fuss, as it was wrong.

Think big picture.

So apply. Only bring up the fact they didn't notify you in the manner you requested if they refuse to accept your application because its too late. Until they refuse your application there isn't an issue.

If they accept it at alone point later tell them they need to review how they handle matters like this when people are on maternity leave as you hadn't been informed in the manner you had requested.

At this you aren't too late so whack in the application. Good luck. Hope you are successful. From what you say no reason you shouldn't be.

Where did you get information from?

I assume you didn't mean disability discrimination but sex discrimination. Being on maternity leave doesn't make you disabled.

Don't talk nonsense. This is completely incorrect.

Thanks, no idea where disability came from. Have amended!

So it seems. The OP posted the ACAS guidance.

Apparently an incorrect source.