Can I be disciplined for discussing promotion with another manager?

Tornik

The title says it all, really.

I've just been told by my current manager that if I discuss a possible promotion and transfer with another manager (the manager I would be working under) then I may be disciplined.

I've spoken informally with this other manager a few times now, but now my current manager seems to want to stop it.

This doesn't seem quite right to me - can someone else weigh in? Happy to provide more info if required.

Mr.Generous

yes you can be, in both Stalin's Russia and Hitlers Germany.

KiKi

I would have thought that discussing the possibility of a role change with the new manager is rather important so you can get an idea of what the change will mean for you, what the role involves etc.

There's a reason your current manager doesn't like it (goodness knows what) but the fact they've threatened you with disciplinary action is ridiculous and suggests they're just being rather controlling, or don't like the fact that you're possibly going to be their peer.

Unless there's anything in your company policies / rules that prevents discussion of job applications, or unless you're talking about moving to a new role in the Secret Intelligence Services, I don't see why you shouldn't discuss what a role entails with the new manager before you decide to apply for it. I think a disciplinary would be ridiculous.

Is it a large company?

[Deleted User]

Sounds like there's a bit of bullying going on

Timpu

On the face of it, seems very odd. I'm in the midst of transferring to a new line manager and my current manager is supporting me. I would expect nothing less, it's seems to be the civil thing to do.

Does your old manager keep an eye on you to see when you're speaking with your new manager?

More info please.

dcouponzzzz

I work for a global financial institution, and I'm aware of a colleague whose application for another team was blocked by senior management. This was based on the fact he'd served less than 1 year in his current position which had taken almost a year to recruit for, and had a 3 month notice period.

Basically, the company decided he was of less value to them in the new role than the old.

I on the other hand, had served 4 years and I received incredible levels of guidance when changing roles from the same senior manager and those in between. I was still of value to them but they knew it was unreasonable to block my career progression, as I would surely leave for another company.

sangie595

Disobeying a direct instruction? Yes you can be disciplined for that. I don't disagree that it sounds odd, but that doesn't change the fact that you have been told not to do this. Have you asked why? But if you disagree with a decision of your current manager, you have a process in place to do something about it. You will need to submit a grievance. But what you don't do is disobey. That puts you in the firing line, and in the end it isn't professional, no matter how unreasonable the instruction seems. The employer would be entitled to wonder whether you would be inclined to disobey any instruction that you don't agree with. Maybe they won't do that. But if they do, you only have yourself to blame. Deal with this properly, or obey the instruction. But don't ignore it.

ohreally

Tornik wrote: »

I've just been told by my current manager that if I discuss a possible promotion and transfer with another manager (the manager I would be working under) then I may be disciplined.

Has the other manager been carrying tales back?

Tornik

Thanks for the responses.

To clarify, I've been with the company for almost 2 years now, and passed my probation with no issues some time ago.

I work as a 1st and 2nd line helpdesk technician. I was seconded to our sys admin team a few months back, for a month, and the manager there was happy with my work and wanted to offer me a job.

My line manager and his manager (my senior manager) have blocked it at every turn, despite there being no formal reason to do so. The 'receiving' manager is happy with my ability and skills, and there has been no issue with my performance in my current post, quite the opposite in fact.

The only real reason I can see that the move has been blocked is because my current manager doesn't like the new manager, and has decided to use this as an opportunity to play politics. So, I've been sitting in a 1st line post, wasting time and losing skills.

I've spoken with the receiving manager a few times, and he's kept me abreast of what's going on, which has mostly been 'nothing yet'. I spoke with him last week, while my manager was on holiday - unplanned, not pre-arranged. Today, my manager told me that he'd been informed of this, and if it continued, I may be disciplined.

I'll put that bluntly - if I discuss a formal, legitimate transfer with the manager who wants me on his team, I will be disciplined. My manager didn't say what I would be disciplined for, and I was too angry to ask.

Tornik

sangie595 wrote: »

Disobeying a direct instruction? Yes you can be disciplined for that. I don't disagree that it sounds odd, but that doesn't change the fact that you have been told not to do this. Have you asked why? But if you disagree with a decision of your current manager, you have a process in place to do something about it. You will need to submit a grievance. But what you don't do is disobey. That puts you in the firing line, and in the end it isn't professional, no matter how unreasonable the instruction seems. The employer would be entitled to wonder whether you would be inclined to disobey any instruction that you don't agree with. Maybe they won't do that. But if they do, you only have yourself to blame. Deal with this properly, or obey the instruction. But don't ignore it.

I'm sure I could be disciplined for disobeying a 'work' instruction. "Securely delete these files, Setup this new user", for example. I absolutely agree with that.

But being disciplined for speaking with someone? About a formal, legitimate transfer? I can't agree that that's acceptable.

ohreally

Is there an actual advertised vacancy?