Quick Question

SuperPikachu

Hello all, we have just been offered a job oppurtunity in a different department in my business which I know has already been given to another employee before we were even told about the vacancy.

This is apparently just a procedure to make it look like the job was fairly offered to all (I assume) - where do we stand with this as I am wondering if i. it is legal and ii. I can raise with HR as it is also a blatant case of nepotism.

Thanks for any advice given on these vague details but i hope it sort of sums up my question.

getmore4less

There is no legal requirement to be fair when offering jobs except in some public services where it is forced onto the organizations.

if if breaks company process then raise it with the company.

You could just ask the the simple question outright.

"why are we bothering when X has got the job already"

Meetings are good for this.

Comms69

SuperPikachu wrote: »

Hello all, we have just been offered a job oppurtunity in a different department in my business which I know has already been given to another employee before we were even told about the vacancy.

This is apparently just a procedure to make it look like the job was fairly offered to all (I assume) - where do we stand with this as I am wondering if i. it is legal and ii. I can raise with HR as it is also a blatant case of nepotism.

Thanks for any advice given on these vague details but i hope it sort of sums up my question.

Yes this is legal. An employer is not obliged to advertise or offer jobs to anyone/everyone/internal/external whatever. They can choose to hire whoever they want.


You can raise with HR, but since HR are there to protect the business and therefore not you; they will likely mark your file.


If you want to have representation, join a union.

SuperPikachu

So bearing in mind this persons best friend is the one that told them of the job before anybody else was told, and arranged for them to have an interview and they have now been offered the job (hence my nepotism comment) that this does not matter at all? (and we have now been emailed only today about it, the interviews happened last week in secret with my colleague) They are also definitely not the most qualified person for the job in the room.

Comms69

SuperPikachu wrote: »

So bearing in mind this persons best friend is the one that told them of the job before anybody else was told, and arranged for them to have an interview and they have now been offered the job (hence my nepotism comment) that this does not matter at all? (and we have now been emailed only today about it, the interviews happened last week in secret with my colleague) They are also definitely not the most qualified person for the job in the room.

Nor do they have to be.


I can choose to hire anyone I like.


Same goes for your employer.

SuperPikachu

OK! Not what I wanted to hear but if that is how it is.

Comms69

SuperPikachu wrote: »

OK! Not what I wanted to hear but if that is how it is.

Sorry


But to be honest any law compelling employment is bad for everyone.


- also you should join a union. Because if there are issues, HR will be the ones dismissing you, not supporting you

TELLIT01

If you have department meetings I would certainly ask the question of why advertise the job after somebody else has been given it. It might cause some embarrassed shuffling of feet amongst managers if nothing else.
Just be absolutely certain that the job has been accepted by this other person before you ask the question. I had a bit of a reputation for being willing to ask the awkward questions at my last workplace, but I was heading towards retirement so had nothing to lose by upsetting anybody.

SuperPikachu

I ended up asking my manager - she said to still show interest regardless and perhaps I will be considered next time. TBH with the whole situation being what it is (i'm not going to give any further detail) that is probably the best thing to do and just leave it at that.

Thanks for the replies though.