What would you do?

[feckitall]

I work in a retail store. I have been pushing for promotion but it isn't happening. I'm told that I'm too valuable in my lesser role.

I have proved in my worth when my manager is absent, this was acknowledged, but am still side lined as not having the 'right' skills. They won't train me for the more permanent higher paid role of supervisor and say I would need to develop the supervising skills to take on the role.

I know there is someone being recruited as a supervisor who was an external candidate who therefore will need training! I will be expected to train the person though in all aspects of the store role just not the management side!

So they won't train me but in one aspect but are intending to bring someone in who will need training in other aspects and of whom they don't know how effective a supervisor they are!

Now this person hasn't started yet and my manager is away for a couple of weeks.
Part of me thinks I should go all out for it and prove myself, my colleagues are highly supportive, the other part feels I would be a mug to do so!

What would you do?

Do you mean go all out for next two weeks in case it makes a difference with the new role they've filled externally or go all out indefinitely until another opportunity comes up?

Also have they told you specifically which skills you're currently lacking?

This happens a lot in all sorts of organisations. The people who move up the ladder fastest are always the ones who are brave enough prepared to move company often. I could give several examples of people in my industry who haven't been promoted because no-one wanted to lose them from their existing role and no-one believed they would leave if they didn't get the promotion.

Work hard while you have this opportunity - then you'll be able to say on your CV that you've done the role and explain your successes at interview, then start looking for your new job with another company.

I had a meeting where they said I had potential and could eventually get into management. I have taken all training offered over the years but they don't give management training. The schemes they have run across the company always get dropped.

Part of me wants to 'prove' they have made a mistake taking on an outsider who will require training. Part of me thinks I'm being taken for a mug!

I was given the role for a few weeks but later found out they had no intention of letting me keep it, I saw a document saying so! ...due to failure to hit targets in the months prior to it they needed someone to hand to region as a scalp! It was me! The team I was supervising highly rated me and it was acknowledged by management that I did well.

I really enjoy working there but it does feel that they are only interested in young graduates. The only non graduate to get anywhere, no one can work out how she has done it!!! No one who is 'older' has gone up!

I too work in a retail store - and have no realistic prospect of progression - they bring in young hopefuls from other stores as management trainees....

I am leaving in a month or so - I've had enough of it. I get told I'm doing a fantastic job, that I have saved the boss's bacon due to upping sign ups to our loyalty scheme etc etc etc, but they want me there - to keep doing that role -

so I stay and stagnate and get more and more resentful, or go and leap into the unknown... I have decided to leap...

Good luck Just !
Many have already leapt at ours!
I'm wary that going elsewhere will leave me in the same position, the grass isn't necessarily greener...

thanks! Hope things improve where you are... I kind of know they won't - sorry, because as you say, it is the same everywhere.

But - if you do do the best you can, train up the next layer up diligently etc, at least you should get a glowing reference if you do move on..

Good luck.