Two colleagues being promoted above me, how to handle?

[Lizzie523]

I've heard through the grapevine and now had it confirmed privately that 2 of my colleagues are being promoted to junior management positions above me.

To explain, four of us all work on the same level at the moment, these 2 and one other woman who is brand new to the organisation. The other 2 have been promoted to that level whereas I stepped into it 2 years ago having had more experience already.

I'm shocked and upset as I've always had great appraisals and I demonstrate management skills often having basically line managed 2 people who were new starts. I can't understand why this decision has been made. How would you handle this?

My confidence is very low after this news. I think a game of favourites has been played as the manager has been working with these 2 on projects. I've never worked with her on anything.

I worked very hard over lockdowns, my line managed even said in January she thought I was even more productive now. I now feel all the work I have done is for nothing.

I've also been searching for new jobs and interviewing but not got anything new yet.

It is hard now that I'm back in the office 5 days a week plus the commute. We were denied flexible working too. I'm getting plenty of recruitment enquiries so I think I'd get another job quite quickly if I persevered.

I would love to quit do be honest.

@Lizzie523

My confidence is very low after this news. I think a game of favourites has been played as the manager has been working with these 2 on projects. I've never worked with her on anything.

I worked very hard over lockdowns, my line managed even said in January she thought I was even more productive now. I now feel all the work I have done is for nothing.

Saying you’re more productive now does not necessarily mean you’re productive or doing a good job. It’s a comparative statement to where you were - and this might not have been impressing her- and still might not be enough. I think this might be worth exploring?

I think there should always be a transparent process. I agree about speaking to your manager. Just keep factual and ask how you might be considered for future promotions.

@Birminghambloke I had exceeded expectations in quite a few areas and my manager said she expected I would only go from strength to strength. But I've gone nowhere. On Friday my boss took me aside to tell me she should i'd done an excellent job on a recent project. If there are causes for concern they haven't been communicated.

I'm doing my best and I am also overlooking the work of 2 other colleagues. If all of this doesn't qualify me, I think the reality is I'm not valued or on track to any promotions in future.

I need to be realistic. Do people think I should bring this up or say nothing and keep searching for a new job? I'm also doing a course to upskill in another area.

Speak to her, ask if you were considered, why you weren’t successful snd what you should focus on to give you a better chance next time.

In the meantime keep looking for another job.

I think this is tough on you and wonder why there wasn’t a proper recruitment process. Hope you can get some answers and keep your cool.

Op have you name change failed? Because if you have then your other threads present a much shinier image of your employment and would suggest you know exactly why you weren’t promoted?

Busted!

Sorry I should have said much less shinier image.

Having read your other threads, Maria53/OP I think yes, you should look for another job. This just isn't working for you and you'd be better off with a fresh start.

I don’t understand the point of this op? You’ve been looking for another job for months, you are totally demotivated and don’t want to work there, you do as little as possible. You’ve been there about a year and a half. Why are you presenting it on this thread like you’re gods gift to the company?

If you are the same poster you know fully why they aren’t promoting you.

You sound a bit erratic.

[quote Maria53]@Birminghambloke I had exceeded expectations in quite a few areas and my manager said she expected I would only go from strength to strength. But I've gone nowhere. On Friday my boss took me aside to tell me she should i'd done an excellent job on a recent project. If there are causes for concern they haven't been communicated.

I'm doing my best and I am also overlooking the work of 2 other colleagues. If all of this doesn't qualify me, I think the reality is I'm not valued or on track to any promotions in future.

I need to be realistic. Do people think I should bring this up or say nothing and keep searching for a new job? I'm also doing a course to upskill in another area.[/quote]
I’m confused as you write as if you’re the OP in response to me, but it’s not green and there’s a different name?

It sounds as if you’re ‘developing’ and she’s praising you to keep you motivated to further improve. The exceeded expectations could have been low ones. You might just be basic or mediocre in terms of performance, therefore not standing out for promotion. Overlooking the work of two colleagues does not mean promotion. It could just be supervision within a current role. You want to be doing an excellent job on all projects, not having one to cite as standout performance.

Doing your best still does not indicate high performing. That’s about effort and not outcome. Your best might be another person’s struggling effort on a day when they’re poorly.

Courses mean nothing- unless a person applies the skills learned.

That’s totally shit. Congratulate the two and I’d be looking for another job.

The other person is interviewing for jobs right now and plans to take the promotion for the title for a few months then leave.

So there will be another vacancy at that level soon? Probably worth paving the way by telling your line manager you want to progress at the next opportunity.

Why would you be promoted after 18 months in post with a series of challenging and problematic client / colleague situations, and experience that was "rusty" having not worked in the industry for at least 4 years before taking the post.

Meeting expectations for one post doesn't mean you're ready or capable of moving into a different post.

Especially when you announced to colleagues at the beginning of the job that you didn't want to stay there and were just going to try and stick it out for a year, and have complained of being miserable and job-hunting for quite some time.

Other people being promoted is a bruise to the ego, that's all. Nobody's done anything wrong.

@Ellmau

The other person is interviewing for jobs right now and plans to take the promotion for the title for a few months then leave.

So there will be another vacancy at that level soon? Probably worth paving the way by telling your line manager you want to progress at the next opportunity.

Based on the ops other posts under her other name, that’s highly unlikely, this thread is misleading.,

@ThinkWittyThoughts

What an epic waste of everyone's time for a foregone conclusion.

I was in this situation once, I had to do an interview and a presentation to get an internal job. The lady who didn't get it left the company. After she left they told me she demanded the process so they did it. I guess they wanted to cover themselves but it was so stressful and time consuming for all involved.

@IveGotASongThatllGetOnYNerves

I'd ask for a meeting with my manager for feedback and ways they feel you can improve performance

Absolutely do this.

It will force them to put in to words why they have passed you over and took a chance on somebody new rather than trusting that you had the skills.

You may find that they have given things you have done a negative rather than a positive interpretation so take time to digest what they've said before reacting to any feedback that falls in to that category.

Really sorry to hear about this. I've been working for over 40 years (Christ am I really that old?) And I've seen this time and time again and also been on the receiving end a couple of times. Your manager is well aware of your capabilities, strengths and it could well be that it's too awkward to replace you in the role you do now. Whatever the reason is, you won't change their mind and you have two choices to their one. Sorry to put it like this but as it ever was, I'm afraid that the old saying "you know where the door is" will be their response (however it is wrapped up).

You haven't been happy with this company for a while OP, so time to move on. Keep looking for a new role.

Why is skin colour being brought into this?

[quote momofbhoys]@ThinkWittyThoughts

What an epic waste of everyone's time for a foregone conclusion.

I was in this situation once, I had to do an interview and a presentation to get an internal job. The lady who didn't get it left the company. After she left they told me she demanded the process so they did it. I guess they wanted to cover themselves but it was so stressful and time consuming for all involved. [/quote]
I know. I tried to point out that it would create more problems than it solves, not least because a few of the people in the team I'll be managing have applied for the job. I did manage to convince them to advertise internally only, so we're not wasting time for external candidates.

One of the main reasons I've gone along with this mess, is that I'm confident I'm the right person for the job. Also, I will be able to give the team some genuine line management that they've been lacking for a few years.

I do feel guilty though.

@Allycott

Really sorry to hear about this. I've been working for over 40 years (Christ am I really that old?) And I've seen this time and time again and also been on the receiving end a couple of times. Your manager is well aware of your capabilities, strengths and it could well be that it's too awkward to replace you in the role you do now. Whatever the reason is, you won't change their mind and you have two choices to their one. Sorry to put it like this but as it ever was, I'm afraid that the old saying "you know where the door is" will be their response (however it is wrapped up).

I think that is what it comes down to.

I threw everything into my job over the last year or so and this was reflected in my appraisals. I've also asked to be given more opportunities on larger projects (like my colleagues) and that has never materialised apart from one occasion when a client asked for me specifically.

I've been working on new systems between teams and my line manager told me she had used my developing skills as an example to my colleague for ways she can improve - and she has now been promoted. So what's it all for?

And now my manager is leaving and there is no one else in the company with a thorough understanding of me or my work.

I started job searching 4 months ago and thought I'd be long gone by now. Ive decided to hand my CV into agencies in addition to the job search and I'm also going to quit. I have a short break coming up, so I'll go there first then hand in my resignation.

They say you should have a job lined up but I've found it easier when unemployed because I treated the search like a full time job. Right now I have barely any energy to search apart from a few roles a week.

My sympathies, OP. It sounds a difficult situation.