Overlooked for secondment

bobblebob

Been a couple of secondment opportunities at work over the last few month, some same pay just a nice change from my current role, some a temporary promotion. I feel that my knowledge and skills both academically and from doing my current job i would have a very good chance of getting one of the jobs. However each time ive applied ive been overlooked and not even got an interview.

I asked a manager why and was told the role i currently do is understaffed, so they cant afford to lose me. Is this an acceptable reason to overlook me for a secondment? I feel like there is no point applying for anything internal again, as even if i was the best candidate they wouldnt hire me as im too valuable in my current role.

Lomast

It is perfectly acceptable and quite common if your needed in your current role more than the secondment but this should give you good ammunition when you are next due a pay review

Marvel1

Yes it is as its not a promotion.

TELLIT01

Absolutely acceptable for the company not to allow secondment if the person is currently in an understaffed section.  The company has to do what they believe is best for the business, and making a section even more understaffed is clearly not in their interest.

KatrinaWaves

I wasn't allowed a secondment when the other director specifically asked for me. Business needs.

TBagpuss

Yes, why wouldn't it be? secondment isn't a right, so unless you have something in your contract which explicitly says you are entitled (highly unlikely) they are perfectly entitled to put the needs of the business first. 

You can however, use the information they have given you to approach your manager about recruiting and/or cross-training so that your department can be properly staffed and/or there are people who can step in at need. Also it may be useful at your next appraisal / review to request a pay rise and/or for plans to be put in place to better staff the department so that you are eligible for secondments in future. 

bobblebob

Its a public sector role so unfortunately trying to use it to get a rise isnt possible

I get why they do it, just feels abit unfair for me and others doing my role that we are missing out through no fault of our own. Like i said some of these secondments are effectively a temporary promotion with better pay

Savvy_Sue

bobblebob said:

I asked a manager why and was told the role i currently do is understaffed, so they cant afford to lose me. Is this an acceptable reason to overlook me for a secondment? I feel like there is no point applying for anything internal again, as even if i was the best candidate they wouldnt hire me as im too valuable in my current role.

they'll be even more short-staffed if you get so fed up of this that you find a new job entirely ... 

middleclassbutpoor

I think it's short sighted personally and whilst it may appear good decision making for businesses to do this, I would wholly disagree with as a general principle (accepting that some smaller businesses may not be able to deal with this as well as bigger companies).. 

You are in a position which is understaffed, or has limited people who can fill that position. Surely it is within the interest of the business to develop and cross skill their employees and provide them with the ability to add further value to the business?

If they value you as an employee and see you as someone that they want to retain within their business, why couldn't something be done where they look to succession plan your role so you can look to progress your career? The alternate is that you leave to follow your career path elsewhere when you get frustrated enough to realise you are going nowhere.  

If I was you, I would be asking to sit down with my leader and discussing how to resolve this situation to ensure that you are not blocked next time.  However, you need to be really clear on what you want - if its just any job but yours, this may not work but if you have aspirations to work in a different part of the business, then there should be support there to help you. 

This could be - spending time in that area to understand more what they do.  Asking the business to consider how they can succession plan your role for when an opportunity comes up. 

If they simply cannot do this, you should consider whether you are likely to have your career needs met where you are. If you don't then look for other opportunities. Its not easy and I wouldn't do this lightly but if you are determined to get into a role, you need to be prepared to be focused on doing whatever it may take to get there. 

Gavin83

I agree with middleclassbutpoor. I’d work out what you want from your career and asking them how you get there. If the answer isn’t satisfactory I’d be looking elsewhere for another job. The situation is unlikely to improve given the minimal finances of a modern council and you’re likely to be ‘short staffed’ for many years to come.

lincroft1710

middleclassbutpoor said:

I think it's short sighted personally and whilst it may appear good decision making for businesses to do this,  

But this is not a business, it is the public sector where generally they are more concerned in getting the work done than on individual development