Have I been treated fairly?

Lashes16

Hopefully someone can help me 😊

Five years ago I was given promotion at work, at around the same time I fell pregnant. I wasn't coping with my role (or pregnancy) and decided to step down to concentrate on my new family. Fast forward to now.. I'm in a development role and I have recently applied for a managerial role. I was expecting to at least get to interview stage as I was well aware I have more experience than other applicants and I have a proven track record of quality work etc. I never got an interview and was told that the person who made the decision did so because of what happened 5 years ago.
Now I don't know if this is fair? I have worked my butt off to get where I am and to be simply told no is rather difficult to understand. I have had to watch people going for interviews who I know I have more experience over etc. In my current role I am doing a lot of the work I would be doing if I was a manager and these other people aren't. Have I been treated fairly? Some advice would be greatly appreciated. ..

tomtontom

Possibly not fair, but assuming they based it on your work performance and not your pregnancy, it is lawful. I'd be looking to turn it round and ask if you and your manager can put together a performance plan for next time the position comes up.

daytona0

Well a couple of things stand out for me:


1. You couldn't hack it 5 years ago

2. You are an established person at the company so they probably feel that they can gauge your level and not learn much more from interview

3. You are probably a more valuable employee in your current role rather than in management

As to whether it is fair or not, I think it is 100% fair. Be mindful that they gave you a shot 5 years ago! Were they being unfair then too? Also, you are potentially hearing this from unverified sources.

I would suggest trying to gain verified feedback, speaking to the person who is 'developing' you and also seek new jobs. That is probably the only way you'll be able to plan a route back into management. You'll probably also have to reflect on what caused it to go tits up last time (if you blame pregnancy then I pose the question as to why you took on a management position when pregnant or why you didn't grin and bear it before maternity leave kicked in)

Poppy9

You said you couldn't cope 5 years ago with the role so I can understand if you have the same management why they wouldn't give you the opportunity again.

While you maybe a hard worker and good at your job - they obviously recognise this as the previously promoted you, they do not believe you can cope with a management role.

As you may find, some of those promoted over you will not rise to the role and that makes it so difficult for lower grade staff (and management) so you can understand why they do not wish to take the risk.

You need to speak to your managers to see if you can work out a future promotion plan. Firstly though remember how you felt when previously promoted and check whether you want that stress.

FBaby

Something similar happened with a colleague. He was brilliant at his job having done for some time and was a stage when his work was the equivalent of what was expected of a higher grade. He got a lot of praise for his output, so when a first level management job came up, he applied and was confident he would get an interview, but didn't. He was very dismayed about it, so asked his manager why that was. He was told that although his work was at a higher level, what he lacked as an essential skill for consideration was the ability to work autonomously. He had to acknowledge that he relied a lot on his boss to make all the important decisions, had to pass everything by them first, and felt very uncomfortable if he had to go to higher level meetings, all that would be required of the post. He had to admit that he indeed didn't feel comfortable with that aspect of the role and was quite happy to remain at lower decision making level.