Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Work

Chat with other users about all things related to working life on our Work forum.

Manager not considering applications for internal vacancies

2 replies

Justthethingsthatyoudointhisgarden · 09/07/2025 16:35

Not sure whether my boss has handled this properly...

Work in the public sector, I am in Department A, which works closely with Dept B. Indeed some staff work hours in each department. The roles are similar, both admin with some contact with the public. The work in A is more stressful, less flexible and more hours.

Due to a combination of maternity leave and staff progression, our department were invited to apply for the vacancies in Dept B. I immediately contacted the boss by email, following up with initiating a chat to say, yes, I would really like to be considered. Was told they would be in touch. Heard nothing else, until a few weeks later when I heard on the grapevine that they had simply restructured the department and given additional hours to the existing staff.

About six weeks later, we were asked again if we would be interested in moving departments. Again I responded immediately. I didn't receive an acknowledgement, again they restructured.

I am really fed up with this situation as I am overqualified for both roles, have years of relevant experience and work incredibly hard in the job I do. I know I am well thought of and had a great assessment from this manager at the end of last year.

I suppose what I'm asking is that in these circumstances, when a manager asks for the names of interested parties, surely these people should be considered? To not even get an acknowledgement seems rude and disrespectful. It all seems underhand and unprofessional.

OP posts:
tulippa · 09/07/2025 17:34

Vacancies often depend on multiple things aligning. Funding and contract changes can affect things. There might have been a needs analysis conducted which showed a new member of staff is not actually required.
I'm part of a team of three managers, one of whom is retiring at the end of this month. Colleagues were asking how to apply for her position but she's not being replaced until we know more about funding structure changes which are due to happen in October. So the other manager and I are picking up the slack until then.
Not great practice for your workplace to ask for expressions of interest before ironing all the questions out first though - twice.

Justthethingsthatyoudointhisgarden · 09/07/2025 18:20

That was my take, if you are not considering anyone outside of the department, why ask us to express interest.

I appreciate your response.

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page