Promotion advertised during sickness absence and I was not informed

Frustratedworker · 2026-04-20T12:09:28+00:00

Name changed as this may be outing More of a WWYD I suppose but I'd really appreciate help/advice I've been with my company (admin work) for a long time now, always get good appraisals, the go to person for most questions etc. I have been working towards a promotion fir several years now and my manager was supportive of this but the position itself was not in the budget yet (other similar teams had this role but ours didn't). I've always been a very hard worker but at the start of the year, I became mentally very unwell and had to take some time off. I'm getting help for this and believe it is due to a medical condition which I should be getting sorted soon. Anyway, whilst off sick, the position was made available and was posted internally. The deadline for applying was whilst I was away and no one informed me of this. I have come back to another, not so senior colleague, having been given the role. Im really upset. Just spoke to ACAS who advised me to raise a formal grievance but I am not sure what the point would be as the role had been given to someone else now. I assume I would have to give a preferred outcome but what would I say, there cannot be 2 people in this role and they wont compensate me financially if I am not doing the extra work? But at the same time, I don't think they should be able yo get away with it. What would you do please?

OakElmAsh · 20/04/2026 13:34

Not sure how much of a leg you have to stand on here...few questions to think through :
If they had tried to contact you while you wre off sick to say the position had come up, would you have been open to talking to work at that time?
Would you have been able to apply & go through a competitive interview process ? Or would you have wanted them to delay filling the role until you were back ? Was the timeline when you were coming back going to be clear and allow them to plan ?

Going forward, how would you like this fixed? A commitment to not have the same thing happen to anyone else in the future (which may not benefit you directly) ? The opportunity to apply for an equivalent position in the future?

WydeStrype · 20/04/2026 13:39

I think that is really tricky.

You were signed off by a doctor who felt ypu were not well enough to work. And this wasn't a broken wrist but mental ill health. If work had emailed you and appeared to expect you to apply while off and possibly even interview? That would have been very dodgy. What if that had caused a decline in your mental health?

examworries2026 · 20/04/2026 13:46

I don’t think you have any grounds for a grievance, no role was promised to you, you didn’t go through a selection process for it. If you had been around when the role was advertised you would have had the opportunity to apply for it, and you may not have got it if they thought someone else was better qualified.

As it happens you weren’t working at that time and as you were off sick it wouldn’t have been appropriate for them to contact you about the role. Surely?

Original poster

Frustratedworker · 20/04/2026 14:36

I do appreciate the comments and understand where you are coming from, but this role has been in the pipeline for 4 years, and I was off for 2 months. I guess I just feel like if they knew they needed the role for 4 years, they could have delayed the roll out of it by a few months surely? It wasn't even discussed as likely to be available before I left (not that that would have changed me being ill but I just mean it seems odd it came about so suddenly). I feel I have been unfairly discriminated against due to an illness. I may not have applied/been fit fit for an interview but I should have been given the opportunity to decide that for myself. I was signed off for a set time, with an end date in place and after all this time, the role just happened to become available in the 2 months I was ill? Anyway, I guess you have answered my question that there isn't much I can do about it so thank you for youf replies. Guess I will just have to look elsewhere, can't see me staying there now as I feel utterly betrayed

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Original poster

Frustratedworker · 20/04/2026 14:39

Just as an aside too - the person that got it wasn't more qualified for it, I have trained her! I have effectively been doing the job for 4 years just not been able to be paid/recognised for it as it 'wasn't in the budget'. But I was as good as promised it and it was mention in all my formal appraisals which is why I am so hurt

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PoppinjayPolly · 20/04/2026 15:08

were interviews held for it?

DoubleShotEspressox · 20/04/2026 15:13

I understand where you’re hurt and in the bigger picture it’s quite a shitty thing to do if the prospect of a promotion has been discussed with you prior to going off sick.

Not sure where you stand legally with this though.

I was passed over for a promotion (I was hired on the pretence that this was my runway) but I was on maternity leave when the role became available. I was the named successor. I wasn’t even made aware and came back to a more junior colleague doing the job in a permanent capacity.

I probably could have caused hell, but I didn’t, I found a new role, gave notice and now earn twice as much.

If it taken four years for them to “create” the position that you’re already doing, sounds like a shit place to work anyway. Get your sights on something better.

Drpawpawspaw · 20/04/2026 15:17

And yet contacting employees about work when they are off long term sick - and esp for MH - is a big no no when its to discuss something your employer needs.....

You can't have it both ways

JulietteHasAGun · 20/04/2026 15:18

I’d start job hunting. It’s a bit odd that they hadn’t found the budget before in four years but you go off sick and they do. I suspect they didn’t want you to have the job (possibly because of your sickness) and decided to get the job stitched up quickly before you came back as otherwise they’d have to have an uncomfortable conversation with you about why they weren’t giving you the job.

i don’t know the legalities of it but my SIL tells me in her organisation nobody can apply for a promotion if they’ve been off sick at all in the past twelve months. Which if that’s legal then I guess what your place has done can’t be grounds for a grievance?

DalmationalAnthem · 20/04/2026 15:21

Are employers allowed to contact someone off sick to ask if they want to do more work? It seems wrong.
If someone is too sick to work, an interview and training etc. wouldn't be possible.

Paganpentacle · 20/04/2026 15:47

DalmationalAnthem · 20/04/2026 15:21

Are employers allowed to contact someone off sick to ask if they want to do more work? It seems wrong.
If someone is too sick to work, an interview and training etc. wouldn't be possible.

This essentially.
You were struggling to the extent you couldn't do your current job.
Why would you be able to undertake a promotion, in that case?

Besafeeatcake · 20/04/2026 16:04

OP I get your anger and frustration but they didn’t do this with you in mind.

Roles needs sign off and approval and this depends on budget which they may have only just had approved hence why now.

If you are off on MH/stress leave they shouldn’t contact you and frankly are you really able to take on a bigger role anyway?

I think you need to draw the link between where you are and rhe duty of care they have to you. You may have an end date for th leave but more often than not this is indicatory and is often extended.

They were right to appoint someone else/.

ConstitutionHill · 20/04/2026 16:12

JulietteHasAGun · 20/04/2026 15:18

I’d start job hunting. It’s a bit odd that they hadn’t found the budget before in four years but you go off sick and they do. I suspect they didn’t want you to have the job (possibly because of your sickness) and decided to get the job stitched up quickly before you came back as otherwise they’d have to have an uncomfortable conversation with you about why they weren’t giving you the job.

i don’t know the legalities of it but my SIL tells me in her organisation nobody can apply for a promotion if they’ve been off sick at all in the past twelve months. Which if that’s legal then I guess what your place has done can’t be grounds for a grievance?

This crossed my mind too. They didn't want you in the position and rushed it through while you were off. I'd be looking elsewhere. Good luck!

Original poster

Frustratedworker · 20/04/2026 16:35

Thank you for all the messages. Its good to get feedback. Just to answer the question as to why I think I would be able to do the role if I was already struggling - I dont want to go into it too much but as I mentioned earlier, I am certain that my depression (not stress) is a side effect of a different medical issue, which once I get sorted, I believe will be back under control again. I am currently awaiting a referral which will be early next month. If I am right, and my doctor thinks I am, I should have it under control within a month. Work are very much aware of that and I haven't had any similar problems in the past so I guess after 15 years service and years of them coping without this position, I hoped they would have been decent enough to have postponed it for 2 months so I could at least apply. Yes interviews were had.
But I guess you are right, they don't owe me anything and its obvious now I am not valued by them so I will not bother with the grievance and will just look elsewhere. Hopefully with twice the pay too @DoubleShotEspressox - you've inspired me!
Thank you for all the comments, I think I did just need a reality check. I will just refer all questions from colleagues onto her now instead of helping

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ladyamy · 20/04/2026 16:37

DoubleShotEspressox · 20/04/2026 15:13

I understand where you’re hurt and in the bigger picture it’s quite a shitty thing to do if the prospect of a promotion has been discussed with you prior to going off sick.

Not sure where you stand legally with this though.

I was passed over for a promotion (I was hired on the pretence that this was my runway) but I was on maternity leave when the role became available. I was the named successor. I wasn’t even made aware and came back to a more junior colleague doing the job in a permanent capacity.

I probably could have caused hell, but I didn’t, I found a new role, gave notice and now earn twice as much.

If it taken four years for them to “create” the position that you’re already doing, sounds like a shit place to work anyway. Get your sights on something better.

Caused hell 😂😂

Soontobe60 · 20/04/2026 16:43

Frustratedworker · 20/04/2026 16:35

Thank you for all the messages. Its good to get feedback. Just to answer the question as to why I think I would be able to do the role if I was already struggling - I dont want to go into it too much but as I mentioned earlier, I am certain that my depression (not stress) is a side effect of a different medical issue, which once I get sorted, I believe will be back under control again. I am currently awaiting a referral which will be early next month. If I am right, and my doctor thinks I am, I should have it under control within a month. Work are very much aware of that and I haven't had any similar problems in the past so I guess after 15 years service and years of them coping without this position, I hoped they would have been decent enough to have postponed it for 2 months so I could at least apply. Yes interviews were had.
But I guess you are right, they don't owe me anything and its obvious now I am not valued by them so I will not bother with the grievance and will just look elsewhere. Hopefully with twice the pay too @DoubleShotEspressox - you've inspired me!
Thank you for all the comments, I think I did just need a reality check. I will just refer all questions from colleagues onto her now instead of helping

The fact that someone else has been given a job you felt you should have had is not a reason to be unprofessional towards them.

Coconutter24 · 20/04/2026 16:49

You say you were off and really mentally unwell for 2 months, although you said you had an end date to your time off, your work can’t know that’s 100% when you’ll be back, it could of got to that date and you were still to unwell to return. You also say that your doctor says in another month you should have it all under control, again guess work. So it’s unreasonable to expect a business to hang around and wait for someone to get better especially considering there were other candidates

tulipsinbloomnow · 20/04/2026 16:51

I have to say I don’t think it’s a great look to raise a grievance if you want to stay.

Original poster

Frustratedworker · 20/04/2026 16:51

I am not going to be unprofessional at all, never said I was. But the promotion is a team lead one and I'm also not going to continue being the point of contact for help if the pay for that very role is going to someone else. As I said, I was doing the role but not compensated for it, if someone else is now, then they can do the work too. At the moment, I field questions from other departments but there us now a specific role for that stuff, it is no longer my place to do all the extra work

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Original poster

Frustratedworker · 20/04/2026 16:52

I am not going to be unprofessional at all, never said I was. But the promotion is a team lead one and I'm also not going to continue being the point of contact for help if the pay for that very role is going to someone else. As I said, I was doing the role but not compensated for it, if someone else is now, then they can do the work too. At the moment, I field questions from other departments but there is now a specific role for that stuff, it is no longer my place to do all the extra work

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Original poster

Frustratedworker · 20/04/2026 16:52

Sorry for the double post, not sure what happened there!

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tulipsinbloomnow · 20/04/2026 16:54

Frustratedworker · 20/04/2026 16:51

I am not going to be unprofessional at all, never said I was. But the promotion is a team lead one and I'm also not going to continue being the point of contact for help if the pay for that very role is going to someone else. As I said, I was doing the role but not compensated for it, if someone else is now, then they can do the work too. At the moment, I field questions from other departments but there us now a specific role for that stuff, it is no longer my place to do all the extra work

And that’s fair enough, but you shouldn’t have been doing it in the first place

BillieWiper · 20/04/2026 16:54

Either you're too sick to work or you're not. If you're saying your sickness would suddenly have subsided to the point you could immediately interview for and perform a higher paid role, it doesn't really make sense.

Original poster

Frustratedworker · 20/04/2026 16:57

Coconutter24 · 20/04/2026 16:49

You say you were off and really mentally unwell for 2 months, although you said you had an end date to your time off, your work can’t know that’s 100% when you’ll be back, it could of got to that date and you were still to unwell to return. You also say that your doctor says in another month you should have it all under control, again guess work. So it’s unreasonable to expect a business to hang around and wait for someone to get better especially considering there were other candidates

Fair enough, I concede I may be unreasonable. But letting someone work their are off for a role it was formally written into appraisals that I was working towards for 4 years and then saying they wont wait 2 months (the job was advertised 1 month in) to go for it when they haven't needed it up until then is a shtty way to treat someone who has worked hard for them for 15 years in my opinion. But as I said above, I accept they don't owe me anything, just sad to see I am not valued as much as it was implied I was.

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Original poster

Frustratedworker · 20/04/2026 17:00

BillieWiper · 20/04/2026 16:54

Either you're too sick to work or you're not. If you're saying your sickness would suddenly have subsided to the point you could immediately interview for and perform a higher paid role, it doesn't really make sense.

It does if I was prepared to explain it fully and work are 100% informed of it all but I am not going into it any further on here so I appreciate it sounds odd and hard to believe and that's totally your right not to believe me

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