Feel like I'm missing out on promotion because of maternity leave

[northernerJuly2022]

Just before I went on maternity leave I had an excellent performance review and my manager said (verbally, not in writing) that moving up to the next level (promotion) can be a goal for when I'm back. My manager didn't set a timeframe but I assumed that would mean targeting a promotion for a year after returning to work. Maybe I was wrong to assume...

I returned earlier this year after 12 months' leave. Fast forward to this week and I've just had my end of year review, and it is clear that a promotion is not happening... Feedback on my performance was great and I asked about progression but they just said I should focus on working towards a promotion over the next year. I'm embarrassed to say that I was kind of expecting it this year! Yes, I was too nervous to mention the conversation we'd had before I went on maternity leave. I know... I feel silly for not being more pushy but I had also made it clear in my mid year review that I want to progress. I didn't outright demand a promotion, and maybe that's my mistake. I did say that I believe I am meeting all the requirements and years of experience for the next level up. I've worked hard this year so I now feel a bit deflated.

AIBU to think that I might have been given the promotion if I hadn't gone on maternity leave? Or is this just a fact of life for women taking time off to have kids, and a year of leave means slower career development because I've missed out on a year of work?

Before mat leave you discussed a goal of promotion, you have again discussed you goal of promotion.
You talk about what you want and expect but not what work you have put in to develop your skills and earn a promotion - I think those things would be worth more focus rather than feeling hard done by because I'm not seeing anything other than you having a higher opinion of your value than your employer and sense of entitlement that I don't see the justification for.

Fair enough. Thanks for the honest feedback To be clear, I have written a report as part of my appraisal listing all the relevant goals I have achieved and objectives I've met. With examples etc. Maybe that's just not enough this time.

No way I can know if that's enough or not - and sorry- I didn't mean to make you feel embarrassed.
I do think if you felt you genuinely deserved it because you had made the required progress in the time you had then it is reasonable to ask what more they needed to see or where they advise you focus your efforts so you are clear what is required to make sure you get the promotion. Good luck

Well if it was discussed prior to your maternity leave then that was maybe 2 years ago & a lot can change in that time. I think 12 months out is quite a long time? Sadly being out of the way for a year gives someone else a chance to shine too. Do you ever take time off? Are you full time? I think it helps if you never take time out (not saying that is a good thing btw). It sounds like you have had chance to feedback so you might have an opportunity soon.

Fair points there from @Casmama

It can be so disappointing not to get that promotion when you feel you are ready. You’ll get there.

Not sure what industry you are in but the economy has been absolutely shit a bit up and down this year. Lots of businesses are being very cautious about pay rises & promotions at the moment.

You’re not silly at all. Being ‘pushy’ probably isn’t a great strategy but being assertive is fine. Get those measurable goals in place so you know what you’re working to, approximate timelines and clarity on how to get there.

Congratulations on your baby!

Sorry but again this post had no emphasis on the OPs performance- it talks about other people shining and how much time she takes off as if this might be a reason that he is discriminated against.
I'm just not seeing any evidence of an expectation that promotions are earned by individuals working hard to increase their value and contribution to the company.
If you can easily articulate how you contributed to the company meeting its KPIs in a meaningful way then surely promotion will follow- time served shouldn't be a criteria

@Casmama

Sorry but again this post had no emphasis on the OPs performance- it talks about other people shining and how much time she takes off as if this might be a reason that he is discriminated against.

I do believe there is some discrimination at play here. OP has been out of the loop so has therefore been overlooked. I would imagine it's quite commonplace? Not saying it's acceptable. Lots of bosses like 'young thrusters' as we used to call them - not always necessarily the best person for the job but in the right places at the right time & able to push themselves forward.

I also think that women are less likely to blow their own trumpet so can get overlooked.

I find getting a promotion is usually determined 3-6 months before your performance review, businesses usually set the budget for bonus/pay rise/headroom for promotion well ahead of time. The best time to start talking about promotion is months before your performance review.

Performance review is the time to ask am I on track for promotion, what else do I need to do? How can I standout/ set myself apart? Remind them every month, make it like a political campaign!

Another I like to do is not just tell my employer all the boxes I've ticked (met xyz goals) but also tell them the additional things I have done to improve culture, efficiency, collaboration etc, whatever the hot topic is.

Thanks, I think you're right and I agree with your points. I do think that since coming back to work I've not felt very assertive or confident, which hasn't helped. Before having a baby I was much better at asking for things or highlighting what I was good at!

Before you went off you discussed a promotion with your manager with no timeframe. That discussion is still ongoing. I don’t see any discrimination here, just your assumption of a year being wrong.

I would ask for a clear pathway to promotion and also want to know whether it’s a dead man’s shoes situation or if a post would be created for you to move into.

The other issue to consider...does the employer have the budget for another person on a higher grade?

Given the NI increase, are they delaying any promotions? It may not be about you, but about the change in costs? Has company growth remained on trajectory? Who was employed while you were away?

You’ve been clear that you’re delivering in your current role.

Can you get a copy of the role profile for the next step and discuss with your manager how you measure up, and a plan to build the skills you need? That’s working towards the promotion in a much more defined way.

Sadly you are more likely to be kept at your level when useful and reliable in your current role than moved out of it, with the attendant problem that gives them in backfilling you. So yes, I think you do need to be more ‘pushy’ in the way I suggested.

Perhaps you and your manager just had different expectations about the time frame for promotion. 12 months out of the work place does have an impact with some job roles, whatever the reason for the absence.

Oh dear. In a forum for mums, we're talking about what the OP has done recently to develop herself in her role to gain promotion in the last 12 months she has not been at work in because she was on maternity leave having a baby so was not in a position to develop herself at work, but had clearly been identified before she went off as promotion material. And this is fellow women making these comments. I honestly thought we'd moved on since late 80s/90s when I was a promotion prospect before I became a mum. I thought it was the male people in positions of power that held me back for becoming a mum. If it's now other females saying it's ok the OP hasn't been promoted when it seemed a likely prospect before the mat leave, I despair of women ever achieving equality at work. OP just because you are a mum doesn't mean you shouldn't be promoted

I’m sorry that happened to you @GranPepper but I don’t think there’s nearly enough information from the OP to come to that conclusion in this case.

It was the posts from others, not the OP, that I was addressing

Your initial post does actually say they said about looking at promotion a year after you are back. If I understand correctly you are just back and they are saying the same thing still - in another year (the same as what they indicated before you went on maternity leave).

I just don’t think it’s reasonable to expect everyone to give total support and agreement (that OP has been discriminated against), based on the information that has been shared by the OP. That’s all really.

That's not what I said.

They never indicated a time frame for promotion and you never asked, you assumed it would be a year. Then you took 12 months off things moved on and tou came back assuming you would pick up where you left off.

Why haven't you asked whay more you need ro do and is in in next 6 months, 12 months?