Passed over on a promotion. How to deal with it?

esj13

Today i had an interview at work for a new role which is better in so many ways.
I'd be on more money, I would gain an extra level of responsibility (being 3rd in command) and I would be taken from my current shift pattern which is nights on a 3 week rota and put on Monday to Friday 9-5.
Alas I was not offered the job. Instead it was given to someone who has only been there for 6 months and doesn't put the same amount of work in as I do.
He already works 9-5 and occasionally on a Friday he would be asked to do 12 hours 9-9. I have on a couple of occasions arrived at 10 past 8 or so as I like to be early and prepare. On these occasions he has left around 5 minutes after I arrive saying that if I'm there he may as well go. He has complained vehemently when asked to cover a night shift once in a blue moon and leaves plenty of paperwork unfinished, which I take on over night, just because I like to see that everything is done.
I feel that I have earned this promotion and instead it has been handed to this person on a silver platter.
And now all my hard work has gotten me... nowhere.
Still where I was before and now with this person able to exercise authority over me.
I am bitter to say the least. I was almost reduced to tears when I was told I would not be given the opportunity and now I am in a position of great difficulty.
How do I handle this?
I feel that if I say anything I feel that I will be in big trouble. I feel used and undervalued and if I now start to let my work slide because I feel they should start pulling their weight, i wil be thrown into a disciplinary hearing and there is nothing I can do.
I have been advised that the course should be to accept it and be gracious. But I cannot betray my emotions no matter how hard I try and feel I should start looking for a place to work where I would feel more appreciated.

What advice can anyone give me?

I have not yet been confronted by anyone about the outcome as I am not in until tomorrow night. So I can expect Friday morning to be the time I will be asked questions about my feelings and next steps. And If I'm not careful could find myself with a p45 and downtrodden soul.

mountainofdebt

Well if it were me .......

if asked how I feel about X getting the promotion, I would smile and say the best person got the job. DO NOT REVEAL YOUR TRUE FEELINGS TO ANYONE IN THE WORKPLACE OR CONNECTED WITH THE WORKPLACE OR ON FACEBOOK!

Secretly I would be looking for another position.

In the meantime DO NOTHING that could lead to a disciplinary proceedure.

And yes I would 'work to rule' (and have done this and it went totally against the grain) - even if it meant staying in the staff canteen for 50 minutes (can you get in later?)

And I repeat DO NOTHING that could lead to a disciplinary

esj13

I couldn't get in any earlier as i was getting buses at the time and the timings of them at that time in the evening were unavoidable.

I'm going to find it hard to react positively. It's just never been in my nature to hide my feelings.

The current boss's regime has forced 2 people out of the workplace in the last 6 months, both within 3 months of each other. On the first occasion it was a result of workplace bullying for which the boss was suspended and then reinstated in his role. Shortly after which the person who had lodged grievance felt intimidated and left.
I surely can't be brought up for disagreeing with their decision?
Is there a way in which I can pose a question against the appointment without sounding like a jealous saboteur?

mountainofdebt

But this is where (as my mum would say) you kill them with kindness.

I once worked in a place that operated TOIL. The hours I worked meant that I would accumulate toil in 20 mins segments. This was productive time.

They then introduced a policy of not allowing TOIL to be accumulated in less than 30 mins segments. I decided that I wasn't working for free so I sat in the canteen for 20 mins and left bang on time.

3 months of working 'to rule' they allowed me to accumulate TOIL in the previous 20 mins segments.

YOU DO NOT QUESTION THE DECISION - YOU ASK FOR FEEDBACK

YOU DO NOT LET YOUR WORK SLIDE. DO NOT GIVE THEM CAUSE TO DISCIPLINE YOU

If you feel that you can't work there anymore get another job and if, when you resign (but only after the appointment is confirmed) you can let rip in your resignation letter.

(when I left my previous job my boss asked why I was leaving and although I sugar coated it a little and was polite he was left in no doubt why I was leaving

getmore4less

What they going to do?


Take the person that covers others and put them in a position that leaves a great hole that they have to fill or take the easy option?


learn the politics and play the game

esj13

That was my thinking. There were 3 of us applying for he job. the other 2 were relief staff. There was one vacancy for the day job and one on nights.
The relief guy who got the day job was on days already.
The guy who got the night job was covering nights.
And I was left where I was.
It's like occums razor.
I don't know if this was the reason or some !!!! kissing was involved, but I would like to ask. And find a way of doing so without rubbing people up the wrong way.

mountainofdebt

esj13 wrote: »

I don't know if this was the reason or some !!!! kissing was involved, but I would like to ask. And find a way of doing so without rubbing people up the wrong way.

and this is where being the bigger person comes in.

In the same organisation that I was talking about earlier, there was a load of team leader jobs created.

All bar one was appointed and there was one interview outstanding.

It doesn't take a genius to work out this was a shoehorn appointment.

ASK FOR FEEDBACK - that way you come across as willing to progress but not bitter and twisted

The way you proceed is up to you .................

Gavin83

Have you asked why you weren't considered for the role?

esj13

I was interviewed for the role. It's the integrity of the decision being questioned.

cazziebo

esj13 wrote: »

I was interviewed for the role. It's the integrity of the decision being questioned.

To be honest, you don't have any right to challenge "the integrity of the decision". Yes, it's subjective, the interviewer will choose who they think fits best. There are many reasons people don't get the job following an interview.

As other posters have said, the best you can do is ask for feedback. Listen to it objectively, take what you can learn from it, and then put this episode behind you. Handle this well and you are a step closer to the next promotion.

Acc72

cazziebo wrote: »

As other posters have said, the best you can do is ask for feedback.
Listen to it objectively, take what you can learn from it, and then put this episode behind you.
Handle this well and you are a step closer to the next promotion.

Although I do agree with Mountainofdebt (who actually describes what I would probably do in the same circumstances), the above is great advice.