Workplace discrimination?

grogers234

Hello,

I am currently working as a branch manager in one of the high street Banks and have been for 6 years now.

I have recently been told by the area manager that I have to swap branches with a manager that is currently under performing in a branch that is consequentially under performing. The area manager told me that he needs a manager of my level (same level as the under performing manager) to move to their branch and turn it around.

I feel as though I am being discriminated against for the following reasons:

(1) In my 6 years at the Bank I have not known any other manager / employee to be moved because they are under performing - under performers are performance managed and given the usual verbal/written and final warnings.

(2) It has taken me many years to get my branch to meet the monthly targets expected of me, the under performing manager is moving in to a 'ready made / problem free' branch whilst I simply inherit the problem he caused/was unable to solve.

(3) I am worried that I am being set up to fail before even starting (the current manager supposedly unable to turn things around, why am I being expected to when we are the same level).

(4) The under performing manager will be closer to his home town whilst I will be traveling farther away. I estimate the additional travel costs over and above my current costs to be £2,050 more.

Could somebody who has experience in employment/HR or a similar situation advise on whether this is work place discrimination/favoritism?

Many thanks
Graham

Tigsteroonie

I doubt it is discrimination - on what basis? For being good at your job?

What does your contract say about being mobile, swapping branches? Do you have any room to negotiate a higher salary to compensate?

You could look at this from a different angle. Your Area Manager is so impressed with the job that you have done at your current branch, that s/he wants to use those skills to turn around another under-performing branch. That is a huge statement of confidence in your ability as a manager. If you succeed (and especially if the other guy/girl fails) then it will also show that the improved performance is down to you, and not down to the branch team. Maybe you're being groomed to become Area Manager yourself

tomtontom

Discrimination needs to relate to a protected characteristic, nothing here points to the move relating to your sex/ race/ disability etc.

It's standard business practice to move a more effective manager to an under performing area, so you can bring them up to standard. I'd look at this as an opportunity to demonstrate what you're capable of.

With regard to the distance, is there a mobility clause in your contract?

sangie595

grogers234 wrote: »

Hello,

I am currently working as a branch manager in one of the high street Banks and have been for 6 years now.

I have recently been told by the area manager that I have to swap branches with a manager that is currently under performing in a branch that is consequentially under performing. The area manager told me that he needs a manager of my level (same level as the under performing manager) to move to their branch and turn it around.

I feel as though I am being discriminated against for the following reasons:

(1) In my 6 years at the Bank I have not known any other manager / employee to be moved because they are under performing - under performers are performance managed and given the usual verbal/written and final warnings.

(2) It has taken me many years to get my branch to meet the monthly targets expected of me, the under performing manager is moving in to a 'ready made / problem free' branch whilst I simply inherit the problem he caused/was unable to solve.

(3) I am worried that I am being set up to fail before even starting (the current manager supposedly unable to turn things around, why am I being expected to when we are the same level).

(4) The under performing manager will be closer to his home town whilst I will be traveling farther away. I estimate the additional travel costs over and above my current costs to be £2,050 more.

Could somebody who has experience in employment/HR or a similar situation advise on whether this is work place discrimination/favoritism?

Many thanks
Graham

There is no law against favoritism. And this isn't discrimination. You could ask for an allowance towards the additional costs.

GothicStirling

Personally, I would be pretty chuffed that my bosses where sending me to another branch to turn it around. Could you not ask for a raise to cover the extra costs of travel?

FBaby

Surely they believe you are a better manager than they are, and whilst they deal with his under-performance, they need someone good to turn the other branch over. Surely this is an opportunity to show that you are indeed a very good branch manager, rather than a lucky one with an easy branch to manage, and opening yourself to a potential promotion at some stage.

In regards to the travel/cost, show them your negotiation skills.

Dan-Dan

If your superiors read this thread Graham , they would probably change their mind anyway , send them the link

agrinnall

Even if it is discrimination (and that's doubtful) there's absolutely no indication in your post that it is illegal discrimination. So forget about that, and concentrate of negotiation some sort of compensation for the extra costs of the move, perhaps with some more on top as they clearly seem to think you have the ability to turn round an underperforming branch.

Or look for another job.

lincroft1710

"Mainwaring at Walmington on Sea branch has been underperforming, his branch is similarly below performance targets. Can you think of anyone we could place there to bring the branch back up to standard?"

"What about Graham over at Eastgate, he's done well there, targets always met, staff motivated, Mainwaring's deputy, Wilson certainly needs motivation"

"Good idea. If Graham succeeds, as I'm sure he will, perhaps a promotion in a year or so"

This is probably how your area manager is thinking. You put people where they are needed.

shortcrust

You turned a branch around - a job well done! Now they want you to do it again. It sounds like they value you so you're probably in a strong position to negotiate for compensation to cover the additional costs. I'd be pushing for a pay rise with the move. To me it sounds like an opportunity rather than a punishment.

phill99

Evidently you want to be a victim, not a success.