Am I right to be annoyed?

Question

Recently my superior got promoted. There are two of us who would want the job internally and they say they do want to promote one of us into the vacant position. But my boss said to me today that they are going to split some of the duties between us and then decide in 12 months which of us should get the job. My boss says this is because he doesn't think either of us has the experience to do the job. Yet last year when my superior was working out of the department I was the one who ended up taking on most of his duties (without any extra pay or recognition) and even at the moment I end up dealing with a lot of the rubbish that should end up being my superiors job if he's not around or too busy to deal with it. I think without a clear superior its going to be impossible for people outside our department to know who they should be talking to when they need something done which is esential for what we do. Am I right to be p***** off?

Answer 1

Yes you sure are. This is weak management from your superior who left. Not wanting to make a decision, he has put you in a position of not having the clear authority to do your job.

If you don't arm the employee with the proper tools and empower them, you can not expect results. At least good results.

I would move on. (or talk the other one into moving on....)

Is your former superior also your new superior after the promotion? If so leave.

Answer 2

12 months seems like an awfully long time to evalute you both on. It seems like they don't have the money in the budget to financial compensate you for the extra work and put you head to head so that the choice will be revealed to them instead of looking at who has a past of taking on extra work and supporting her superior during busy times. What experience is she looking for exactly? You can choose to move on and hope for a better situation, or take advantage of the situation by doing everything you can. Take the initiative to be the point person for those projects in your department. If you don't get the job, move on and use all that experience you gained. Personally, I think it's a bit of a cop out on the management side. If there is no one available to take the position who has enough experience, wouldn't they just hire someone who does? Or offer you a chance to take 2-day seminars on the skills they think you would need? That is very frustrating. But perhaps if you did not enjoy the "rubbish" work your supervisor did not enjoy enough to do himself, then perhaps that position isn't right for you anyway. I would take some time to think about what you would want and how you would feel if you did get the promotion and if you didn't, and how that might effect your current coworker who is up for it too.

Answer 3

Welcome to the wonderful world of corporate America. I think the person who said they were trying to get the work done without paying anyone extra is absolutely right. I would be very concerned that, at the end of the year, NO ONE would get promoted and things would simply continue on.

However, if you confront your superior and/or his superior about the situation, you run the risk of antagonizing them. So I would ask myself several questions:

1. Do I really think they will promote someone at the end of a year?

2. Am I willing to do that much extra work for a year without any extra compensation?

3. Is the other person who is going to be doing the extra work a viable candidate for the job? In other words, is it possible that I will work for a year and STILL not get the job?

4. Is it possible to transfer to another department in the same company?

5. What is the job market like in my field?

Only after considering all these factors would I personally make a decision about it. And I would definitely start checking out other jobs in the meantime.

As to whether you should be p!ssed....hell, YES!!!!

Answer 4

Sounds to me like the company wants to save a little money by dividing the duties between the two of you without the benefit of replacing your superior. Do you have the right to be annoyed? You betcha! Should you stomp into the bosses office and throw a hissy fit? Nope. Sounds to me like they are watching you and your colleague very closely, so I'd play it cool and mind my p's and q's. If all goes well for you, I doubt seriously that the powers that be will wait a full year before promoting you to the open position. Remain positive, remain humble, and pray for wisdom! God bless!

Answer 5

Sounds to me like he is delegating the work between you two so he doesn't have to give anyone a pay rise. I would point out to him the fact that you have done a lot of the job before and have very good experience and you don't think it right to have to wait another year. See what he says then look for another job. Good luck.

Answer 6

I would be and I would also try to find a tactful way to let whomever does the promoting know of all that you've done and accomplished while working in your current position and highlight the skills and abilities that will make you a perfect fit for the new position. No one else is going to sing your praises so you should...just in a professional way :)

Answer 7

I think I would be slightly ticked off as well BUT ... if you are 'inexperienced' for the position take the extra work load without thinking it a burden. You're gaining valuable experience. Do it willingly. Stay positive, it will pay dividends in the end.

Answer 8

This is where its time for you to excersize your self confidence. Have the balls to tell your superiors whats goin down. If you really are the best man for the job, then they wont want you to leave. Just give them a (tactful) ultimatum if they dont want to give you the job you deserve. Dont let them F*** you. Remember that you can always find another job where you get the respect you deserve.

Answer 9

No, if you know you can do the job and others (outside) view you as the one who can do what they need they will come to you and not the other person in your department. This should be a challage to you to keep a positive attitude and show everyone how capable you are.

Answer 10

Absolutely!!! The SAME thing happened to me last year.

Currently, I'm in the process of switching jobs. :)

Honestly, if a company can't keep up their end of a deal - ditch them. It's not worth it.

I was "co-supervisor" with this girl that wanted the same position I interviewed for. She didn't make it past the first tier of interviews, I made it through the 2nd...and then they decided I was "too young" for the job.
2 weeks later, there was a new general manager, who promoted her on the spot (without even knowing our past!) ...

...2 weeks later, he was fired for embezzlement (sp?)

Ditch the crappy job, take my word! It goes downhill from there!

<3