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Bad hiring has led to less respect
I've been working in IT in the public sector for over 5 years now and have totally lost all respect for my boss. We used to have a really good working relationship but recently I have started to lose respect for him.
A senior colleague left and I covered the post for 7 months. This meant longer hours, more complex work and responsibility but no extra money. Although I wasn't exactly given the choice about acting up (the work still had to be done) I accepted the situation because I thought, as the only internal candidate the experience would lead to me being offered the post when advertised...
The advertisement said that a degree was essential (which I have) and asked for someone who could develop and improve the service – and after 7 months of covering the post and 5 years with the organisation I felt I could see what needed changing.
I didn't get the job, they offered the post to someone without a degree and is less experienced. He has been in post for the last 12 months and I still feel as though I am filling that post.
He is being allowed study time to complete a degree (originally a pre-requisite of the post but my boss is funding allowing him to study part time for 4 years to get it), he doesn't turn up for work, he doesn't work the full time hours he is contracted to – coming up with a variety of excuses each week and when he is in the office he plays computer games at his desk rather than actually doing his job or "developing the service". We have had an unbelievable amount of negative feedback about him from service users who find him difficult and unhelpful – which means they contact me instead.
So I have ended up doing the job I applied for whilst he is being paid to work part time and play computer games. My boss is actually aware of his behaviour and the feedback but has been really reluctant to talk to him about it or discipline him – which means he gets away with it.
Since his appointment I found out from one of the members of the interview panel that my boss had his doubts but still employed him when he knew full well that I was more than capable of doing the job.
Since his appointment I have applied for a number of jobs without any success. Obviously I have been using my boss as a referee but am I just concerned that he might be giving me a bad reference so I won't leave. I know my leaving would impact on the team and I think part of the reason my boss didn't appoint me is that he didn't want to go through the process of recruiting to my vacant post (funding for which runs out in a few months making it less attractive to new candiates).
What should I do?
Comments
It's a difficult one but I've always been of the opinion that if you have to threaten to leave a company in order to get a pay increase or promotion then it's not worth staying.
I wouldn't have thought that he'll be giving you a poor reference as it it unusual for a company to obtain a reference prior to an interview. IT's a competitive market so stick at it and good luck!
If all else fails, as this guy is such a keen gamer why not challenge him to a game of "Roeshambo"... just remember to take your turn first!
Tony - November 2, 2006 3:34 PM
It sounds like they've employed the bosses son to me!!
You and your colleagues need to shame him into leaving or get him the sack. Make it obvious for the bosses to see what a waste of space he is and make sure he gets caught playing video games. People can only take so much and if several of you complain, someone's got to take action.
frankie - November 2, 2006 4:05 PM
This has become a HR issue. Ask to speak to both your manager and colleague together and be completely straight with them both about the situation. Tell them your next move is to speak to HR. Make sure you have the backing of at least one other colleague who has seen/experienced the inaction of your manager and the behaviour of your colleague. An senior end user might be a good bet if no one else will stand up and be counted. Get the pair of them on a warning, they both deserve it. Best of luck.
Stell - November 2, 2006 7:23 PM
Judge the organisation and the people in it by their actions and attitudes. Consequently, nothing more needs to be said about your current position.
Exiting is another business altogether. Remember, revenge is a dish best served cold, so bide your time, put on a happy face and do what you have to do. However long it takes you, your next move must be one based being 'valued' by your new employer instead of being 'used'. You know what 'used' feels like, because you've been there and are there. So, use your time wisely to assess what being valued will feel like with a new employer. That way, when you meet prospective employers from either the public or private sector, you'll find yourself kissing a lot more princes than frogs !
Charlie - November 2, 2006 7:38 PM
Hi, Have you asked for an explanation or sought out to ask specifically why you feel neglected? It looks like it shall not harm you any further by asking the Boss in a polite but frank manner as to what it is that troubles him about you and why he cannot give you the job, and, obviously fire sunny Jim! Then, suggest you shall train a new junior Member to bring the department up to full strength.
George Gibbons - November 25, 2006 6:02 PM
Well if you have been in the role for 7 months and still couldnt be bothered to offer you the position or to pay you or to recognise the work then why are you still there? Keep at the job hunting, Do you know of anyone else who could be a reference? I would jump ship, i smell a rat in all this!
Rakhesh - November 25, 2006 9:04 PM
I got passed over for a new recruit, once! It hurt like hell, I had all the conversations with the board about the reasons why. The ultimate answer, as I countered all their prior reasoning, was simply as you say "didn't want to go through the process of recruiting to my vacant post". To which I concluded the whole issue with a "well thanks for holding my career back, I had expected more from you and having had 5 years service I don't think that was unreasonable expectation". I went back to the day job, and waited for the next opportunity in the big wide world to come along - it was great, short lived, but great. When I eventually resigned from my 5 year tenure, they paid me handsomely; was it guilt? I hope so, but the car and the cash were great regardless!
Be objective, and focus on your desires...not their shortcomings; but make the point politely. You'll get your just desserts.
Anth - November 25, 2006 10:03 PM
If you really think your boss is giving you bad references, then talk to him. Try and set up a meeting, grab him for a few mintues and just point blank ask the question. If it's "no I'm not" perhaps he would not mind writing a few lines and giving you a reference you could include.
No matter the outcome of the above, he will know you are seriously looking elsewhere.
Paul - November 26, 2006 6:51 PM
I would just say thanks for the comments and this has given me a lot to think about (maybe even a career change altogether).
I had a days leave yesterday and when i came back in today i had to do 5 jobs for our resident slacker that should have been done yesterday and I even got a mouthful off one of the users who he was meant to sort out yesterday......
I have given up with my boss now as I am actively looking for that new job and since I posted the original message i have had an interview (no news yet though) and have applied for loads more so fingers crossed as I am definately going to leave and I don't believe he would give you a truthful answer anyway to any of my questions!
DG - December 1, 2006 3:07 PM
I so feel for all of you. I myself am in a similar situation.I've unsuccessfully been looking for a job for 3 years. Just because I'm Russian and I'm 47.
I've a degree as a TEFL and NVQ3 as a Piano Teacher (both with Distinction) and obtained the comparabilities of my qualifications against UK standards.So what?
All I have is a couple of hours as an accompanist which I got by word of a mouth.
I was voluntarily a teaching assistant at an Infant School in order to get work experience in this country but it hasn't helped.
When I had interviews I was often told how talented I was to hear later that I was unsuccessful.
In Russia I worked at the Grammar School and was one of the best leading practitioners in my province. I was my son's teacher of English and he received the best result in English Literature exam after being in England only 4 months.
Do you think I can be trusted to teach Literacy at an Infant School after that?
It is so disheartening that employers are not bothered to see the advantages I offer.They are so scared to be politically incorrect. They are so scared to have their own view.
Larisa Anthony.
Larisa Anthony - December 28, 2006 9:20 PM
Get a friend to contact your boss and pose as a recruiter or future employer and get your friend to ask
for a reference...
that way you'll get to see what your boss is saying about you ;)
John M - January 11, 2007 5:10 PM