Help!

[Highlandspring1991]

Around a year ago I received a promotion as to replace my manager as they were moving on. I keep being told I’m doing amazing, they’re reviewing my salary this week for a payrise as I have taken my department through the worst time in the history of the company in recent months and the department I manage has made amazing profit, however my old boss still is doing work on the side for the firm and it’s all quite hush hush (I know this as I’d seen emails and they had openly told me). A problem has been raised by a client which was an issue before it took over, the MD has email my manager and said perhaps to ask ‘previous boss’ for assistance with this when they no longer work for the firm! It’s really making me feel down, there isn’t anything to suggest I cannot sort this issue as I sorted a similar issue last week. What would you do?

I don't really understand why this is an issue? It's hardly "hush hush" that the predecessor is still doing work for the company since they've told you that, and are asking that this person handle a piece of work for them. It's no reflection on you, and you say that they are happy with your work and looking to increase your pay. But they're entitled to give work to the people they employ at their discretion, so it really doesn't seem to be anything you should be concerned about.

Sorry if I’ve not been clear, this person left the business and I took their place. They are no longer an employee of the company, they now work elsewhere and are doing work on the side for the place I work, that’s why I think it’s an issue

Thank you for your reply, I just worry!

It sounds as though the manager you've taken over from is doing freelance work for your employer in another role? An issue has arisen which they may be able to help with as they have past knowledge.

If this is the case, please don't feel undermined. Your employer is simply trying to resolve a situation in the best way possible. It does not reflect on you.
Apologies if I've misunderstood.

I'm reading the situation the same way as Gazelda.

I can understand why you might be feeling undermined, but I don't think you need to worry. It's clear your employers think you are doing a very good job and getting your predecessor in on a freelance basis to deal with a specific problem doesn't reflect on your ability.

Hmm, I think you have a point about feeling undermined, @Highlandspring1991. Your employer was quick enough to get you to act up and take on the gap in resource left by the previous manager. Why are they not now showing confidence in you to get stuck in and sort out problems, especially given the fact you believe you have the capability and skills to do so.

Unfortunately it's typical of organisations, they can be appalling at developing their in-house talent and giving opportunities to gain experience and enrich skills and capabilities. So this manager has left but still being wheeled in to trouble-shoot and save the day. Yet another example of 'Male, Pale, and Stale' I expect.

Did you find out when it was all too late and the problem was fixed? Or did you say you could deal with it and they ignored you.

I'd be honest with them that you are disappointed they didn't get you involved and why is this former manager in the side lines stealing your thunder? How long will this arrangement go on for?

A problem has been raised by a client which was an issue before it took over, the MD has email my manager and said perhaps to ask ‘previous boss’ for assistance with this when they no longer work for the firm!

So this would have been your manager's ideal chance to have said "Mr X no longer works for us, he left a year ago, @Highlandspring1991 is now in that post, so I will pass this issue over to her so that she can deal with the matter for you as a priority".

It's ridiculous having you in post if they haven't got confidence giving you issues to resolve.

@daisychain01

A problem has been raised by a client which was an issue before it took over, the MD has email my manager and said perhaps to ask ‘previous boss’ for assistance with this when they no longer work for the firm!

So this would have been your manager's ideal chance to have said "Mr X no longer works for us, he left a year ago, @Highlandspring1991 is now in that post, so I will pass this issue over to her so that she can deal with the matter for you as a priority".

It's ridiculous having you in post if they haven't got confidence giving you issues to resolve.

Possibly true. Equally, despite what the OP thinks, the previous boss clearly does still work for the company (the fact they are freelance doesn't negate that) and this problem arose "on their watch" so given past relationships there may be good reason to use that person to resolve this.

I would still read more into getting a promotion, being told that you are amazing, and being given a pay rise, than I would into asking a freelancer to fix something that it seems they may have broken.