Grievance - right thing?

[WorkWo3s]

I've raised a grievance in work and now I'm not sure if I've just acted in anger.

I applied for a job internall as did another colleague. I would say this colleague and I were at least matched in terms of knowledge and ability but if I'm being honest I would say I would be a better fit for this position than him.

We were both interviewed two weeks ago - by his best mate! Interview went well, lots of positive feedback for me but I didn't get the job, they just thought that i 'wasn't right' for the job. He has now been given the job. Anyone else internally that has mentioned him getting this new position have all been like WTF? Even if they don't know that I also applied.

During my interview I was told there would most likely be a second stage interview, there wasn't. There is also other history between myself/my manager/colleague who got the job and colleague who was doing the interviewing. In my mind there was no way this could ever have been a fair selection process. And thats what I've raised the grievance based on.

Am I being ridiculous and should just STFU and leave it be?

I have no idea what they can even do if my grievance is upheld?

Any ideas?

I have recently been through similar. I was an internal applicant with all the right skills and experiences for the job and everyone was shocked that I didn't get the job. Even those in the team I applied for all said I was the obvious choice. I was initially told that I was second by 'one point' and when I questioned this it turned out the scoring had not been done according to the company policy. Paperwork also had mysteriously disappeared but as it was my word against the hiring manager I had no leg to stand on.

It turns out that the manager has admitted to others that he had already decided who he wanted for the role, before even interviewing, so whatever I did would not have been good enough. My own manager and lots of colleagues all know it was an obvious stitch up and I was told I could lodge a grievance if I wanted. Without the paperwork and other substantive proof though I decided it was not worth all the stress. I wouldn't want to work with a manager who was so underhanded and deceitful in any case. He is now advertising for more people but, unsurprisingly, is finding it difficult to recruit.

After such a poor experience I am now looking for opportunities elsewhere as I really don't trust any other internal interviews to be fairly conducted which is sad.

I think with a grievance you a) need to be really clear what your complaint is (not just "it's not fair!"); and b) you have to know what you want the outcome to be but be prepared to accept that you might not get it.

The danger is that the process just adds to your frustration. Or even if the grievance is upheld, it doesn't automatically follow that the other person will lose the promotion and it will be given to you. What would you do in this situation?