Not given promotion I was promised

teribar

After my manager left 11 months ago, I was asked to take on his duties as interim manager because they were doing a review of the whole customer service function and did not want to make an appointment until this was complete in approximately three months. Three months has become 11 months. I have received nothing but praise over the past 11 months from everyone from the chief executive down. The senior manager I have reported to has referred to the post continually as 'my job,' I have been led to believe my appointment would be a formality. While I was away last month the post was advertised, but not internally as I had been told when I got back I queried this with him and he said 'Trust me and trust X.' (the director)

I had my interview for the role and on Friday he came to see me and without looking at me started reading a letter in a monotone. Basically they have given someone else the job. I am beyond devastated. I couldn't have done anything more. It's pointless really because they have already offered the post to the other person.

Can they do this? I did the job for 11 months. The other person can't possibly have the experience they asked for because the post is unique in our field. I would dearly appreciate any advice because I don't know where to turn. My team are upset as well. They were so sure I would get the post they had champagne waiting.

ohreally

You have my sympathy, to be honest I'd start casting an eye for a move as the situation will likely become resentful. What is your reaction going to be when you are instructed to train and prepare the newcomer?

Onwards and upwards.

BorisThomson

It was implied that the job would be yours but I can't see a promise, and certainly nothing that would hold up legally.

Time to start looking for a new job.

sangie595

"Promises" are worthless. There is no legal requirement to ever advertise a job. The minute an employer does, that's a heavy hint that they are looking for the best candidate. On this occasion, it wasn't you - for whatever reason. And honestly, that's better than being the person everyone knows got the job with no competition and is the managers suck up... You'd get no respect at all that way. So the positive is that you got a lot of experience and expertise acting up that is a saleable commodity. And when you land a better job with that, then nobody can say that you weren't the best person for the job. And if you don't, then you need to figure out why that experience has let you down, and whether you need to up your interview skills...

matttye

Sounds like you’ve been used, sorry.

Even if there is an enforceable contract (it doesn’t sound like there is from what you’ve said), it wouldn’t bode well for your future relationship with the company if you took them to court over this.

TELLIT01

The OP certainly has been used, but will hopefully be able to use the experience gained by doing the job for 11 months with another employer.
The situation the OP found themselves in is far from unusual. Where my wife worked there was a similar situation, for a similar timescale. The difference there being that the person who had covered the job for nearly a year was told that they couldn't be considered for the job permanently because they didn't have a university degree!
That person didn't hang around long after that either.
I would certainly advise the OP to look for employment elsewhere, where their skillset would be appreciated.

xapprenticex

They have taken advantage of you and were probably laughing behind your back feeding you worthless platitudes knowing that you were not getting the job.

Find another job, i cant comment on what to do/say if they ask you to train the person who got the job. I know what I'd say, but you need to do what you think it right.

There is nothing you can do about it though, nothing illegal has taken place so id abandon that train of though as its a waste of your time.

custardy

teribar wrote: »

After my manager left 11 months ago, I was asked to take on his duties as interim manager because they were doing a review of the whole customer service function and did not want to make an appointment until this was complete in approximately three months. Three months has become 11 months. This is the first danger sign I have received nothing but praise over the past 11 months from everyone from the chief executive down. Making sure the role was covered as required. Consider yourself managed The senior manager I have reported to has referred to the post continually as 'my job,' I have been led to believe my appointment would be a formality. While I was away last month the post was advertised, but not internally as I had been told when I got back I queried this with him and he said 'Trust me and trust X.' (the director)

I had my interview for the role and on Friday he came to see me and without looking at me started reading a letter in a monotone. Basically they have given someone else the job. I am beyond devastated. I couldn't have done anything more. It's pointless really because they have already offered the post to the other person.

Can they do this? I did the job for 11 months. The other person can't possibly have the experience they asked for because the post is unique in our field. I would dearly appreciate any advice because I don't know where to turn. My team are upset as well. They were so sure I would get the post they had champagne waiting.

You have no recourse within your employment.
Consider it a learning exercise.
I have been there as Im sure many other posters have.

Masomnia

Look at the positives, you've gained lots of new experience and enhanced your CV.

Look for a new job in the new year The best revenge is to move on.

ScorpiondeRooftrouser

Yes, they can do it. What you have to do is leave within the month, with a job to go to or not. If you can't leave without a job to go to then, well, this is why you always should have a sufficient financial cushion that you can.

McKneff

Masomnia wrote: »

Look at the positives, you've gained lots of new experience and enhanced your CV.

Look for a new job in the new year The best revenge is to move on.

and/or leave a couple of raw fish behind a radiator in the bosses office just before you leave.