topic Re: Promotions that don't make Sense at the Workplace in Community Chat

Promotions that don't make Sense at the Workplace

JBKO — Tue, 31 Mar 2015 05:27:34 GMT

Over the course of 2 years, I have seen at least 4 people in my company promoted when there were better candidates for the position. This was clear to EVERYONE and a shock even to those who did end up getting the position. Why do companies do this? I know I may sound naive but maybe you all can share what similar experiences you have had in relation to this. The good thing is that in two of the cases, the best candidate (which of course wasn't chosen) ended up in better paying jobs, albeit outside of the company.

Re: Promotions that don't make Sense at the Workplace

Lynnj — Tue, 31 Mar 2015 05:51:47 GMT

I would like to know the answer too. I think sometimes these things happen because those that got that type of position are those who know how to play the office politics game. They are good at networking, minimal interaction with the right leaders can make an impression. It also shows that some leaders arent necessarily looking for the right person to fill a position (from a skill set perspective), but the right person based on the impression that was portrayed (from a relationship perspective). Goes to show that building a good network is more important than building skill set, if advancement is your goal. I really don't know, as I am not the type of person I describe above. No clue how to play office politics, don't really have the time to play anyway, and could care less about building a network. Those people who schmooze with leaders get on my nerves.

Re: Promotions that don't make Sense at the Workplace

sunshine45 — Tue, 31 Mar 2015 06:19:54 GMT

On 3/30/2015 DiscountDiva said:
Over the course of 2 years, I have seen at least 4 people in my company promoted when there were better candidates for the position. This was clear to EVERYONE and a shock even to those who did end up getting the position. Why do companies do this? I know I may sound naive but maybe you all can share what similar experiences you have had in relation to this. The good thing is that in two of the cases, the best candidate (which of course wasn't chosen) ended up in better paying jobs, albeit outside of the company.

maybe THAT is one of the reasons why.....maybe they dont feel like the employee actually wants to stay with the company? perhaps they dont want to promote someone who they think would leave and not stick with them? perhaps they see potential or company loyalty in those that were promoted. there could be any number of reasons.

Re: Promotions that don't make Sense at the Workplace

Tinkrbl44 — Tue, 31 Mar 2015 06:51:47 GMT

I think that people are sometimes promoted because they are merely acceptable ..... and won't be a threat to the people they report to.

Re: Promotions that don't make Sense at the Workplace

chessylady — Tue, 31 Mar 2015 07:00:24 GMT

They may be related to one of the bosses, yes nepotism still exists. Or they may have damaging inside information and the promotion will keep them quiet.

Re: Promotions that don't make Sense at the Workplace

Deb1010again — Tue, 31 Mar 2015 07:12:07 GMT

Y'all bring up excellent examples of why this happens. It's frustrating. It definitely has to do with the boss and his/her need to have a loyal ""yes"" man/woman in the leadership position. I HATE HATE HATE office politics and don't like to play either. I'm all for fairness and equity and it gets me in trouble every time. lol

Re: Promotions that don't make Sense at the Workplace

hckynut — Tue, 31 Mar 2015 09:05:56 GMT

Happened to me and was part of the reason I retired when I did. 32 of us Quality Inspectors took a qualification test for 7 openings in a much higher paying position. I was an hourly worker, as were all that took this test, and the job openings were for a Salaried position.

Had I got this job on my 1st day I would be making $400 per month higher than my hourly paid present job. I scored 2nd highest score out of the 32 that took the test. I told my wife the 7 names that would get job, I was right on 6 of the 7. Why you might ask? My reply was, and remains this: "IT IS NOT WHAT YOU KNOW, IT IS WHO YOU NOSE".

Re: Promotions that don't make Sense at the Workplace

PenneyT — Tue, 31 Mar 2015 11:51:31 GMT

Sometimes bosses put value on simple yet vital things, such as: being on time, actually showing up, being competent in one's position, Not Causing Trouble With Other Employees, meeting deadlines, etc. Sometimes there are very talented employees who unfortunately don't possess the 'basics'. Not saying that is the case here at all, but sometimes its those very reasons.

Re: Promotions that don't make Sense at the Workplace

cotton4me — Tue, 31 Mar 2015 12:20:35 GMT

Based on what I saw at my workplace promotions were based on personality and not necessarily skills. They promoted one woman because the boss liked her but she couldn't do any part of the job, absolutely no ability. It was a disaster and they eventually "retired" her. Unfortunately this wasn't an isolated incident.

Re: Promotions that don't make Sense at the Workplace

Deb1010again — Tue, 31 Mar 2015 12:29:01 GMT

On 3/31/2015 PenneyT said: Sometimes bosses put value on simple yet vital things, such as: being on time, actually showing up, being competent in one's position, Not Causing Trouble With Other Employees, meeting deadlines, etc. Sometimes there are very talented employees who unfortunately don't possess the 'basics'. Not saying that is the case here at all, but sometimes its those very reasons.

IMO you're talking about lower level clerical or retail employee types. I interpreted this thread as more senior level jobs. Where you can have some talented people who really carry the load and then the management types who are yes men/women.

Re: Promotions that don't make Sense at the Workplace

JuJu Squeezie — Tue, 31 Mar 2015 12:43:50 GMT

That whole title is a oxymoron. Or as I tell the children, their game, their rules. Sense has nothing to do with it.

Re: Promotions that don't make Sense at the Workplace

Pashmina_1 — Tue, 31 Mar 2015 13:26:50 GMT

Politics rule the world even in the workplace. Crooked, crooked, crooked.

Re: Promotions that don't make Sense at the Workplace

CrazyDaisy — Tue, 31 Mar 2015 13:49:32 GMT

Have shake my head sometimes at responses here.

Depending on the position, a personality, networking ability and demonstrating the willingness to work with others are qualities that trump skills that can be taught. Management needs to know you "will fit in" in the new environment. It may be supervising personnel or working with upper management. Just doing your job is not enough to get promotions, you need to show you can do the new one. Many people also get secretive of their job, thinking they are protecting themselves from lay offs. Management will not promote you from a job that "you were made for".

It is often said you need to dress for the job you want, you must also show you can act how you will be expected to in the new position.

Re: Promotions that don't make Sense at the Workplace

Vesti — Tue, 31 Mar 2015 14:08:38 GMT

Discount Diva said ""there were better candidates for the position. This was clear to EVERYONE and a shock even to those who did end up getting the position.""

That's guesswork. The people who made the promotion decision are the only ones who know exactly who was the REAL ""better candidate"".

Re: Promotions that don't make Sense at the Workplace

humpty dumpty — Tue, 31 Mar 2015 14:17:55 GMT

Then there is the personal side of the story ...

A girl that was the best friend of the wife of the Chief Financial Officer was the next in line for promotion was passed over because she would be doing payroll and would then know how much money he was making ...

Re: Promotions that don't make Sense at the Workplace

CouponQueen — Tue, 31 Mar 2015 14:23:38 GMT

I can think a lot of reasons outside of the usual brown nosing..friends..politics..favors

Time and Attendance Issues.

Not a Team Player

Young and Yes Person..moldable to their way of doing business.

Somebody who isn't always saying ""It isn't my job..."" and walks away.

Willing to go above and beyond.

Personality

Re: Promotions that don't make Sense at the Workplace

wildcat fan — Tue, 31 Mar 2015 14:33:07 GMT

My experience in education: You become an assistant principal by being a "yes" man/woman. You get along fabulously with parents and students because you have a reputation for giving lots of extra credit, and very few students make a C in your class (most everyone has an A and nobody has D or F). You become a district office employee when, as a principal, you've shown that you can't manage your job responsibilities and the superintendent is tired of dealing with complaints.

Re: Promotions that don't make Sense at the Workplace

Vesti — Tue, 31 Mar 2015 14:37:27 GMT

Some excuses are sour grapes from people who didn't get promotions they wanted.

Re: Promotions that don't make Sense at the Workplace

wildcat fan — Tue, 31 Mar 2015 14:41:22 GMT

On 3/31/2015 eloise said:
Some excuses are sour grapes from people who didn't get promotions they wanted.

Not necessarily

Re: Promotions that don't make Sense at the Workplace

CelticCrafter — Tue, 31 Mar 2015 14:53:22 GMT

On 3/30/2015 DiscountDiva said:
Over the course of 2 years, I have seen at least 4 people in my company promoted when there were better candidates for the position. This was clear to EVERYONE and a shock even to those who did end up getting the position. Why do companies do this? I know I may sound naive but maybe you all can share what similar experiences you have had in relation to this. The good thing is that in two of the cases, the best candidate (which of course wasn't chosen) ended up in better paying jobs, albeit outside of the company.

Maybe management wanted the more qualified people gone and couldn't justify firing them so by promoting a less qualified person they accomplished their goal.