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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

In thinking that progression at work is a myth?

59 replies

Floogal · 07/08/2025 13:50

Basically as I asked in the title. It seems that anyone wanting more money and interesting tasks at work can not really advance. Due in part to nepotism, cronyism and mostly (forgive my misandry) 'dead man's shoes'. More so if you are at the bottom. You feel cheated when the shop floor to top floor mantra is spouted.
Also it seems a double standard where you can't win. If you want progression and and get it you're seen as greedy or deluded. If you're content and don't want to progress, you're often viewed as lazy and unambitious.

OP posts:

PollyBell · 08/08/2025 08:21

Not buying it if you are speaking for everyone have progrssed because I pit the work in and dont play a professional victim, this woe is me every one against me attitude will not get anyone anywhere

I have no desire to climb a corporate ladder and could not be a manage so I have progressed into what I feel comfortable in

crankycurmudgeon · 08/08/2025 09:05

honeylulu · 07/08/2025 19:27

I've only really got experience of my own industry (law) but you definitely can and do progress if you have the ability and you are willing to work for it. I've hit a ceiling i think as a salaried partner because I'm good at the technical lawyer and managing people but hopeless at finding and winning new business which is essential for an equity partner. That's ok, where I have got to suits me.

But there are lots of lawyers who just coast, work contracted hours only and don't seem to actually be interested in the job or becoming better at practising the law or going the extra mile to give the clients a stellar service. They moan and moan about not being promoted as if they should get it just for "time served". It's really not like that.

Also a lawyer, and this is bang on.

SquigglePigs · 08/08/2025 09:21

It entirely depends where you work.

I've been at the same place 20 years. Started straight out of university as a graduate and now I'm a director with as much seniority as I'd like for now.

DH started in a call centre straight out of university and stayed with that company 15 years, moving through teams getting trained on new things and steadily promoted to a senior position.

Good companies invest in and retain their best staff through good training, promotion prospects and development.

Having said that, poor companies can be just as you described! Find a better one!

HerewardtheSleepy · 08/08/2025 09:30

YABU and seemingly unlucky in your employers.

nearlylovemyusername · 08/08/2025 11:08

NeedZzzzzssss · 08/08/2025 00:16

Yes, you're right. I should've been clearer. Often incompetent people get promoted because they say the right things, although in those cases it's probably not charisma, but talking crap to the relevant people and kissing butt 🤣

Show quote history

You're free to believe it.

Let's see how far this belief will get you career wise.

NeedZzzzzssss · 08/08/2025 11:10

nearlylovemyusername · 08/08/2025 11:08

You're free to believe it.

Let's see how far this belief will get you career wise.

Show quote history

Not really sure what you mean. I've done well, but I've seen plenty of people get promoted who shouldn't have.

SoSoLong · 08/08/2025 11:28

So what's the issue at your work, is it that there are no higher positions being opened, ever, or do they go to external candidates or what?

The triangle model is perfectly valid, you can't have an organisation with more senior managers than workers.

Our CEO (big household name company), and the one before him both joined straight out of uni and raised through the ranks over more than 25 years.

It takes more than being good at your job, you've got to be proactive, visible, enthusiastic, charismatic - some people just haven't got what it takes. But it's not impossible.

slug · 08/08/2025 12:16

It really does depend on where you work. I've seen absolute horrors apply for promotion and get it because they "Interview well" Though to be honest with most of these it seems more like an attempt to move them sideways, out of managers hair. It's known as The Peter Principle where difficult people are promoted to the level of their incompetence.

One of the greatest joys of my job, as a manager of a team, is encouraging my staff to develop their skills and move upwards and onwards. I work in a smallish industry and every time I've moved on, my old job has been filled with someone I trained at some point in my career. It's very satisfying. But the only way this is going to happen to you is to be in a company that allows you to take risks. People who moan constantly without showing any initiative are rarely promoted.

Peter Principle

Learn how the Peter Principle explains employee promotions to levels of incompetence, its causes, and smart strategies to prevent it in the workplace.

https://corporatefinanceinstitute.com/resources/management/peter-principle/

EBearhug · 08/08/2025 12:22

People who moan constantly without showing any initiative are rarely promoted.

Oh this. I've a colleague who is constantly asking for a payrise, and I asked him, what do you actually do to merit it? He's proud of doing no more than the necessary and not volunteering for anything, and yet doesn't seem to realise that means he's not worth more than he's already paid. Same with promotion. You can't have it both ways.

Edited because it's definitely pay rise, not parish. We are not in the church.

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