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male
age
41-50,
anonymous
writes: Hello Aunts and Uncles,This is not a romance question, it‘s work-related.I’m a department supervisor in a mid-sized company. Long story short, I’ve just learned that one of the employees I manage, and who was hired only 3 months ago, applied for another position inside the firm a month ago. I was baffled when I realized that my boss knew about it and his boss (the COO) as well. The employee in question was, unbeknownst to me, pushing to get that position for some time. He was refused once, but accepted the second time. Nobody told me. They let me organize the work, devise actions plans etc. I’ve met the COO and my boss several times outside work for dinner/cocktail/afternoon tea… and they never mentioned anything. We even had this employee and his wife over for dinner with some colleagues... When he was taken in, his work obligations were clearly defined – something our COO insisted upon. We refused several good candidates on the basis that he would commit. The worst part is that he doesn’t have the necessary education or skills for that position .That’s why I am very confused. It’s not necessarily a promotion; it’s just a different kind of work, mostly out of the office. When I asked why I wasn’t told, the employee said he had been told not to tell me (which I very much doubt, he obviously didn’t want me to know) and my boss, who found the whole thing unpleasant, said that the COO and he thought that I would be “demotivated” and wouldn’t do my job well. Well, I don’t mean to be overconfident but that’s BS. I’m not a teenager and I am responsible and hardworking. I’ve always had a good, straight communication with everybody and the three of them are no exception. Obviously they didn’t want ME to know. Had I known about it I would want to discuss things. This isn’t a logical move. I know that the decision is theirs but I would get to express my opinion. I felt that something wasn’t right but I did start to question myself, was it something I’ve done? I realized how weird the situation was when the majority of my colleagues were stunned. They came to me for an explanation. I didn’t pretend I had known all along, so people kept saying how weird it was. Some of them even expressed the exact same worries that that person is under-qualified. One even said it was like “calling an electrician to fix your plumbing”.I just don’t know what to do, or think. I try not to think in these terms but this IS humiliating. My wife has been trying to cheer me up making jokes that this employee must have some nude pictures of my COO and my boss in a compromising position… but I can’t shake off the feeling of unease. This is disrespectful.What do you think? Is this weird? What would you do?
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male
reader, anonymous, writes (29 May 2018): Thank you ALL so much!
Our company is not publicly traded and there's only one 100% owner. He didn't inherit the business, he and his father bought it together.
My job includes recruiting and firing.
The employee and I had a good working relationship.
A
male
reader, TylerSage  +, writes (29 May 2018):
 First things first, you aren't aware of the knowledge or relationship this guys has with upper management, for all you know those nude photo jokes could have some truth to them. His dad could be friends with them. They could all come from the same fraternity. He could be dating one of their daughters. They could all be in a cult together. Who knows? The fact that he has only been there for 3 months and this is his second time applying for the job does give the impression that he wanted it from the very beginning. Maybe there was some sort of special arrangement for him from the start.
Sometimes the best candidate for a job isn't the person a hiring team is typically looking for.
The fact however that your boss believed you would be "demotivated" as well as you pointing out that you would want to discuss this illogical move gives me two possible answers. Your superiors might believe you're a bit emotional or ask too many question and the subordinate may believe that you would risk him not get the job he's applying for.
Is it weird? Not so much to me because if they told you and he didn't get the job, then it would be a bit weird supervising a new guy you know doesn't want to be there who may end up applying for other jobs at any point in time. You may very well treat him differently and think of him as not being a real team player.
You have mentioned that it comes of fishy but there isn't much you can do now besides ask that they try their best to keep you in the loop where possible as you felt left out.
Do your job, work hard, get paid, go home. Sometimes it's best not to get too worked up or ask too many questions when in a corporate setting.
All the best.
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A
female
reader, Tisha-1 +, writes (29 May 2018):
 You didn’t choose a country flag, which might have helped in decoding the cultural backdrop of your situation.
What us normal and expected in Ghana could be very different and unrealistic in Singapore. Cairo has different workplace traditions than Dallas.
Are you working for a family-owned company? Is it publically traded?
Is it 220 employees or 2000?
You know now you are not in the decision-making group. If you’d like to be, you’ll have to find out why you are not included.
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A
reader, anonymous, writes (28 May 2018): Post Script:
I bet there are others who think my promotion was undeserved. My bonus at the end of last year may say otherwise! Not all the other supervisors expected me to be promoted. I don't need their approval. It was a decision "above their heads!"
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A
reader, anonymous, writes (28 May 2018): [EDIT]:
"There at many reasons."
CORRECTION: "There are many reasons."
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A
reader, anonymous, writes (28 May 2018): Last summer, I was promoted to a Director at the company I work for. Don't take the secretive-transfer personally; see it as a business-decision. You know better; but ultimately, it wasn't your call. Let's call it a decision made "above your head." Those decisions often make no sense. That's because they are political. Someone called in a marker, or someone found a scapegoat to hide a mistake; and just maybe something crucial got missed in an oversight. Perhaps it's a coverup.
Maintain your cool about it. Just keep it under your hat, avoid participating in office gossip, manage your ego; and be vigilant for more signs of odd behavior from the higher ranks. Keep your eyes and ears open, and keep your mouth shut! Your colleagues are rubbing it in. Don't let them instigate you into an inappropriate confrontation or a mutiny. If all that they say and believe is true; then let it be.
Why would anyone be given a position they aren't qualified for? There at many reasons.
There just may be something in that employee that you may have over-looked. He may not have the immediate qualifications; but he may have abilities unseen by others. He was determined, and he didn't give-up trying for that position. He believed in himself. Sometimes, that's because it's a blessing from God; and it makes no sense to mortal-minds. That's even higher above your head!
Another reason is politics. They may see someone they feel can be molded to fit a particular function. Sometimes starting from a clean slate is best; because you can train a person to do exactly what you want, the way you want it done. I have myself promoted people based on something about them that others didn't quite see. I have never regretted these decisions. They were a risk, but now I sit in the position of Director and Supervising Manager.
Let it go. Value your wife's efforts to cheer you up. She's right. He may have run across something to use as leverage; but you and I know unfair-advantage and taking shortcuts are your ticket to a miserable downfall. It's better that you wish the employee well. It may rub you the wrong way; but you should be experienced and above that pettiness. It's business, and you have to have a thick hide.
You're a manager; because of your knowledge, experience, loyalty to the cause, and the ability to make good decisions. If that employee fails; your hands are clean.
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A
female
reader, Honeypie + ♥, writes (28 May 2018):
 I think sometimes the people who work "above" you make decision you should have been included in for unknown reasons. This is one of them.
If I were you I'd talk to your boss about hiring someone for the guy's job (the old one he left for this.. "transfer") and I would honestly, contact HR and have it added to his file that you didn't feel this was a good choices but that you were NOT included in the process, that way when things (IF) goes sideways you have it on paper.
I think you wife actually hit the nail on the head with her joke. (not necessarily nudes but to avoid SOME kind of complaint or for actual MEDICAL reasons they do not want to disclose to you) There is a REASON they didn't include you - and a reason for this transfer and again NOTHING to do with you or your work performance, I think.
I would ALSO have another chat with your boss. IF part of your job is to hire, evaluate, fire and transfer staff - they you need to be included for you to DO your job.
I have to ask though, this transfer does it affect YOUR job? will you still have to deal with this man? Or is his "off your hands" so to speak?
If he is "off your hands" I wouldn't worry. If he is not... I would consider what to do if he fails. Who knows he might not.
You also mention nothing about how you got on with him at work. Having him over for dinner means nothing if you can't work with him during 9-5. So that makes me a little curious.
It does sounds rather shifty.
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