Do I have to accept promotion?

[LittlePrecious]

Where I work (university), we have to apply for promotion every two years.

If you meet the criteria, you get promoted.

I think I'll be promoted this year. But I don't want to be promoted 😂

Can I say "Thanks, but no thanks"? Essentially promotion changes your job role and contract so surely they can't just enforce that on me?

Weird one I know but wondered if anyone from in or outside of academia has any thoughts. Thanks.

I'd want to ask what the terms are to the policy. Technically on legal gounds your contract cannot be changed without your agreement (but bear in mind there are so many loopholes it may as well be a doily). But policy can be contractual, so what matters is what that policy says. It might (purely supposition, since lacking the detail) be taken that you have accepted the entire process in working for them, and so you have to apply and you have to take a promotion if offered.

In addition to the details of the policy my further questions would be (a) what happens if you don't apply, (b) what happens if you apply but deliberately screw up the application (which would be easy to do) and (c) why don't you want a promotion? The latter answer may bring some alternative strategic possiblities.

Thank you - I need to do some digging for the relevant policies.

To answer your questions:
a) We can't opt out. The promotion application doubles up as our annual/bi-annual staff review paperwork which is mandatory.

b) And because the application doubles as our staff review, we can't deliberately screw it up because then we open ourselves up to disciplinary intervention.

c) Promotion means greater expectations and pressures which I don't want and can't rise to. The university sector is financially screwed at the moment so being a mediocre higher-earner will be an increasingly vulnerable position to be, as opposed to a good medium-earner.

My boss wanted me to apply for a more senior position that had become available. I said thanks, but no thanks

That's a very different scenario though.

OP - I think this is going to have to come down to the exact terms of the policy since it does seem to be contractual. My instinct is saying that you can't be forced to take a promotion (it'd be an interesting case of "unfair dismissal") but I am loathe to commit to an opinion because this is such an unusual set up. I hope you are in a union?

Thank you so much for that. I think I'll have to dig out policies. It's a very unusual situation (both being forced to apply for promotion and me refusing if/when I'm offered it).

I'm not in the university union but I've been looking at Affinity recently so I might take the plunge and join that before the formal promotion process starts.

You'd need to check but many uniuons won't support a member for some months after joining. Although there are exceptions, often where precedent is involved. But do check - the time to take out insurance is before someone lights a match!

Haha, great minds! I'm aware they mightn't support new members which is why I'll join now - promotion issues won't kick off for another few months! Thanks for your help.