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Original poster

Not promoted - warning, probably whiney!

19 replies

CrystalSkull · 11/09/2014 22:45

I'll keep this as brief as I can.

I've been at my current job for 18 months and am on the verge of qualifying as an accountant. The person immediately above me has just started her maternity leave, and has handed in her notice as she doesn't plan to return. I had very much hoped to be promoted to her position but it doesn't look like it's going to happen. I should point out here that I have always had excellent appraisals and been told by my boss that he wants to promote me soon.

Anyway, it looks like the person they plan to hire has a good degree and a few years' relevant experience, but she has not even started her accountancy qualification, let alone finished it. This person will be senior to me (the company is very hierarchical so this matters), will earn almost twice as much as me, and will also be taking some of my more interesting jobs under her remit. I understand that experience matters and I don't have that much yet, but it hurts nevertheless.

Finally, it doesn't help that I have a very autocratic boss who has (apart from what I know above) totally refused to discuss this with me. He doesn't listen to his staff so I know that speaking to him wouldn't make a blind bit of difference. He has been locked in his office for hours this week discussing it with other managers but not his own department. I'm trying to not let it affect me, but it's hard.

I'd be grateful for any reflections, advice or general sympathy as I'm wallowing a bit a lot this evening.

OP posts:

AppleAndMelon · 11/09/2014 22:48

If she has experience and you don't (or not as much) wouldn't the decision have been client driven?

You will be so marketable once you have qualified I would consider this a good reason to start talking to agencies. Apart from anything else, who needs an autocratic boss?

Truckingalong · 11/09/2014 22:50

When you say you have excellent appraisals, what do you mean? Do you get the opportunity to discuss your aspirations in them? Do you agree on a development plan? Sometimes if you're not moving in a company or have sponsorship, the only thing to do is move to a new place, as you'll just become more frustrated.

MuscatBouschet · 11/09/2014 22:56

I also didn't get promoted this week when I expected to be so I sympathise. It's very hard to continue in the job without a vote of confidence.

Thankfully I've been sitting on another job offer so I'm resigning tomorrow.

Original poster

CrystalSkull · 11/09/2014 23:29

I'm glad to hear that, Muscat!

I'm in industry so we don't have outside clients. At my appraisals, my work has been highly praised, including by the directors, and I've got a couple of big pay rises (10% plus). At the time I was happy so didn't push the promotion issue, especially since it didn't look like there would be a vacancy any time soon. I'm just starting to worry that there never will be a place for me to move upwards in this company.

OP posts:

HermioneWeasley · 12/09/2014 19:58

Leave. When your view on your ability diverges from the organisation's then it's time to part company.

Go somewhere you will be valued and promoted.

Original poster

CrystalSkull · 13/09/2014 19:29

I'd rather not leave after only 18 months, but the main reason why I'm not already looking for a job is that I'd have to pay back the money the company has spent on my training. It's not an insurmountable obstacle but it would be several thousand pounds, so I'd rather not. I'll be free from that restriction in 2016.

I am still feeling really upset. It looks like they are going to hire the unqualified person. :-(

OP posts:

Moreisnnogedag · 13/09/2014 19:41

Can I ask whether the accountancy qualification is integral to your role?

Because if helpful but not essential I can see why they'd hire someone with a proven record against someone currently trying to finish rather stressful exams. Perhaps they are in fact trying to give you the best environment for completing qualification with a view to promotion in the future?

Original poster

CrystalSkull · 14/09/2014 10:12

The qualification is absolutely essential, and the person they plan to hire would have to take it. I have most of the hard work behind me now and am nearly there. I just don't understand it.

OP posts:

SolomanDaisy · 15/09/2014 19:35

You have only been there 18 months and haven't finished your qualification yet, so I wouldn't worry that they don't rate you enough. You're still new, it may not even have occurred to them to consider you for a big promotion. It doesn't mean they won't in a couple of years.

Original poster

CrystalSkull · 18/09/2014 18:51

I have an update. The unqualified person is going to be paid more than £10k more than me (it looks even worse written down! ) and will also get perks I don't get, like a car allowance.

I got a chance to have a private word with my boss and he said that they have deliberately hired someone unambitious () whom I will eventually manage! But of course this was all very ambiguous and no time frame was suggested. I think this is very unlikely with such a big salary gap and it also seems very unfair on the new hire.

Does anyone else smell bullshit? I plan to stay for now but would like to know if there is a realistic chance of progression or if I am just being strung along...

I am still feeling very angry and struggling to act as if everything's normal at work.

OP posts:

iK8 · 18/09/2014 18:57

Did you actually apply for the vacancy?

Original poster

CrystalSkull · 18/09/2014 19:21

It wasn't open to apply for - they went straight to an outside recruiter who supplied candidates. It did cross my mind to ask if I could be considered, but I realised it would be counterproductive as my boss had already decided what he was going to do. There was no 'deciding' phase and staff were not consulted at all.

OP posts:

bbcessex · 19/09/2014 14:37

I can see why you are fed up; I guess I would be too.

I don't have any particular advice, as it seems like a done deal.. They don't have to offer you the job, there's no grievance to raise that I see.. I think you're just unfortunately going to have to make the best of it.

Points as I see them:

1: seems strange that the Maternity leave lady has actually resigned; that discounts her from some maternity leave benefits, such as accruing holiday. (I think) - surprised she hasn't kept her options open until nearer the end of her leave - are you sure it's a permanent post being recruited for?

2: I think you're going to have to lump it, I'm afraid. If you are more technically qualified for the job, but they've gone with someone else without giving you the option to apply, then they think this person is a better option (for whatever reason).

This tells you something about your firm, but it's not necessarily bad. It allows you to continue consolidating your position, gaining more experience in your current role, and takes the pressure off. I'd also make sure to make a friend of the new person. She's been employed for a reason - you could learn something from her (and she from you).

If you have a tie-in until 2016, you need to make peace with it or it will eat you up. Look at how you can develop yourself in other ways..

I can understand why you're spitting feathers - I would be too - but you'll have to turn it to a positive. Good luck x

bbcessex · 19/09/2014 14:39

ps - your boss sounds bloody useless; he's setting the new person up for a fall, whilst also trying to string you along.. I suggest trying not to have much faith in him / her.

The writing is on the wall.. with the current structure as it stands, it doesn't look like this is an environment worth long term investment.

Original poster

CrystalSkull · 19/09/2014 17:40

Thanks, everyone. I am feeling a lot better about it today as I have (to my surprise) been given quite a lot of freedom to choose my remit. I am also determined not to punish the new person as it is not her fault! I am sure we can learn from each other.

I'm going to get on with it for now while keeping an eye on the situation and how it develops. I really enjoy the content of my job so I am trying to feel grateful for that.

OP posts:

amothersplaceisinthewrong · 19/09/2014 17:49

Struggling to understand why a go getting firm of accountants would hire someone unambitious - I am amazed anyone unambitious has been employed in the first place. Also why they hired someone without an accountancy qualification when this is deemed essential. Will an unambitious person bother to do this qualification.....

Just bide your time, get your qualification work hard so and then leave with good references for o a role that will use all your new skills and talents. 2016 is not THAT far away!

TrickoftheMind · 20/09/2014 02:14

What your boss said actually sounds very positive to me. Could they be thinking that you may not yet have the experience and/or maturity for the role, and have recruited someone non-ambitious in order to buy you some time?

It's not necessarily an insult, some things just do come with a bit of life experience. It may be hard to understand now, but if you look back in a few years time you will understand it . They may be seeing talent in you, but need to give you the space and time to develop a little more.

TrickoftheMind · 20/09/2014 02:20

Oh and just to add, an appraisal should be appraising you against the standard you are currently expected to be at. It doesn't necessarily follow that performing very well against that standard means that you ready to move up to a different role right now.

PervyMuskrat · 20/09/2014 15:56

Can I ask if this is your first accounting role? Sometimes a company wants someone in say an FC type role who has proven experience of all areas of the role so that they have a "safe pair of hands", which could include someone qualified by experience, rather than taking a risk on a newly or almost qualified, who may have the technical knowledge but not necessarily the practical know how around running a team, dealing with the bank and auditors etc.

I would take the opportunity to get as much breadth of experience as you can in this role and then move onto somewhere that appreciates both your qualification and your experience (and then get a stinking big pay rise )

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