Massive problem with colleague and boss about promotion

LegacyUser

Ok heres the story. Basically there is my boss, myself and a female colleague and about 10 junior memebers of our team. I manage 7 of them and my colleague manages 3.

Our boss in leaving at the start of december and he has already told the 2 of us that one of us will be his replacement. The job is quite lucrative in terms of pay, bonuses and perks. I have been at the company for 2 years and my colleague (sarah) lets call her has been her for 18 months. During this time I have managed the whole "operation" when my boss is not there and i have went on and got a number of professional qualifications. I work hard and there is never a doubt about my work. My team members respect me as i treat them fairly and respect them.

Where as sarah has a cert in business from some IT in the middle of nowhere. (i have a degree) Her technical knowledge could fit on an A4 sheet of paper she has shown not amibition and she treats her team members like 2 year olds and they do not get along. She tends to just do her 9-5 and thats it.

As i said above she has shown no ambition even when told about this possible promotion they only thing she has done is to start slutting around my boss!

We were told about a month and a half ago about the promotion since then sarah has come to work at least one day without wearing any underwear (she told me so herself) told our boss at a meeting that she was "dead f**king horny" and also... how she "hasnt had good c*ck for ages" My boss thinks its great craic but i can see him starting to fall under her spell as on friday they went out for a "drink" where as he is a guy who keeps work and personal relationships seperate.

Now what the hell do i do??

This promotion to put in perspective will pretty much double my salary, give me a hefty bonus and i get an audi a6 as a company car( i currently drive a 95 punto...)

Any advice?

seamus

Assuming that the boss (and the guys above him - who will probably decide on the promotion) has any kind of business head on him, then I don't think her antics will get very far. If he's married, then she's just a bit of craic, a bit of eye candy at work for him and he'll see her as just some slutty bimbo flying around the office. If he's not married and starts shagging her, well then you have some great ammo to complain, in the event that she does get promoted.

Just continue on doing what you do. The guy who works hard, does a good job and is interested in the work, will always get one better than the office bike.

When it comes to the promotion, he'll be asked to justify his choice. "She's a horny bitch" won't fly

the_god_swan

Maybe you should start flirting with your boss too :rolleyes:

humanji

Maybe say it to the boss?

bugler

Do you have a HR department? You should be making a note of these instances, and report them to HR. By any stretch of the imagination her comments are wildly inappropriate. If it was a guy making those sort of remarks to a female colleague what would happen him?

If your Boss has any sense he'll bone her and then give the promo to you.

easyontheeye

bugler wrote:

Do you have a HR department? You should be making a note of these instances, and report them to HR. By any stretch of the imagination her comments are wildly inappropriate. If it was a guy making those sort of remarks to a female colleague what would happen him?

If your Boss has any sense he'll bone her and then give the promo to you.

totally agree, men need to start making an example of these women, if that was a bloke carrying on this way you can be damn sure he would be soon on some disciplinary action...

patrickolee

Considering you posted this at 11:08, I presume you did so at work. You don't deserve the promotion... get back to work slacker

But seriously, there's not a lot you can do except hope that the boss sees through her, takes the offer of sex and then shafts her a second time by not giving her the promotion!

someothername

bugler wrote:

Do you have a HR department? You should be making a note of these instances, and report them to HR. By any stretch of the imagination her comments are wildly inappropriate. If it was a guy making those sort of remarks to a female colleague what would happen him?

If your Boss has any sense he'll bone her and then give the promo to you.

agreed about the Boss , but not on going to HR - you would seem like a moaner and i wouldnt promote anyone that goes "tellin tales"

perhaps have a chat with you boss as regards your chances and put it nicely that if you do not get the promo then you'll be off to another company .....

just careful how you word it?

Anti

bugler wrote:

Do you have a HR department? You should be making a note of these instances, and report them to HR. By any stretch of the imagination her comments are wildly inappropriate. If it was a guy making those sort of remarks to a female colleague what would happen him?

If your Boss has any sense he'll bone her and then give the promo to you.

Yep, this is the best advice so far.

Dalfiatach

I took a job once a good few years back, a multinational opening an in-house IT centre in Ireland. Just a few of us to begin with, with big plans for 30-40 people inside 3-4 years. Within a few months, our UK-based boss basically told us that one of the starting crew would be appointed the Ireland Boss after about another 18 months, and that he had 4 people in mind already.

He then told the 4 of us separately that we were the 4 he had in mind.

I was the senior techie and was responsible for all the hard graft and complicated work, but at that stage with not much in the way of people skills (stereotypical nerd really, back then!)

There were 2 girls. One simply wasn't interested in the position and made that very clear from the start. The other had the people skills and some technical knowledge.

And then there was the slimiest, most obnoxious, most incompetent feckin eejit I have ever had the misfortune to work with. The guy could piss people off just by being on the same continent.

So for the next 18 months I assumed Girl #2 was the obvious choice, and maybe I might swing Deppity Boss for a year or two while I learn the black arts of People Management. It seemed like a good plan. Life was good. None of us noticed that Obnoxious Guy and English Boss were getting along very well, always chatting on the phone and going off for pints together when English Boss was over in Ireland. We knew that English Boss was getting constant complaints from all the rest of the staff about Obnoxious Guy. We'd already had a couple of resignations where the explicit reason for leaving was "I'm not spending another minute in the same building as that w***er". No way was he getting any promotions, we thought. The world just isn't that f***ed up.

Boy were we wrong. Obnoxious Guy, to stunned disbelief, is appointed Ireland Boss. I resign immediately. Girl #2 braves it out for 3 months and quits as well. Company folds within year, cos everyone else leaves just as soon as they line themselves up a new job.

Moral of the story? Never assume that Management have a bloody clue about anything just because they are in charge. Never assume that just because there have been complaints from co-workers about Worker A, that Worker A has made a complete mess of every single project they have ever worked on, that people have quit the company because of Worker A, that Worker A is universally despised on the floor - never assume that all of that will somehow stop Management from making Worker A your Boss.

And never assume that a threat to resign immediately if Worker A is promoted will be listened to, or taken seriously, by Management, even if you are the technical linchpin of the entire department.

Bluetonic

workwoes wrote:

from some IT in the middle of nowhere.

OP, why is this relevant to your worries?

Poco Loco

I think you should wait and see what happens...

If you were always going to get the promotion then there is no need for you to be raising issues like this. If you don't get it, then do you really want to work under a guy like that? Maybe I am wrong, but I think I would hold tough for a while if I were you.

Notorious BIG

workwoes wrote:

Where as sarah has a cert in business from some IT in the middle of nowhere. (i have a degree)

Any advice?

Ya, change your attitude.

Keyzer

Like Sean Connery said in The Untouchables -

"They pull a knife, you pull a gun.
He sends one of yours to the hospital, you send one of his to the morgue."

By this rationale, go to work naked...

LegacyUser

I suggest you continue doing your job as you are, and prepare for an interview for the job. I assume there will be an interview, as to my knowledge when a position opens up it has to be posted. Forget about what this other girl is doing, however I would suggest pulling her aside the next time she makes a comment like the ones you have suggested as they are not on, no matter who you are.

easyontheeye

Bluetonic wrote:

OP, why is this relevant to your worries?

hes just giving some background ... wheres the harm

Notorious BIG wrote:

Ya, change your attitude.

oh get over it, so what if he reckons he has a better qualification than her...isnt that what qualifications are all about! he obviously hit a nerve with you...

MagicMarker

Ok, i understand your predicament, but all you can do is go about your daily business and hope to god it works out. But i would say that it seems like you have a holier than thou attitude. Personally speaking, qualifications mean **** all to me.

Conor108

bugler wrote:

If your Boss has any sense he'll bone her and then give the promo to you.

Totally agree:D Do tell us if you get the promotion now

chump

agree with the above too!

You just keep doing your job.

If the boss does make the wrong decision - move on.

Life's too short

Firetrap

I'm afraid there's nothing you can do unless you want to sink lower than this girl and turn up to work dressed in kinky gear and wielding a whip :rolleyes:

Just because your boss has gone for a drink with this girl doesn't automatically mean she'll get the job. She's obviously turned his head but maybe he's just hoping he'll get his leg over or is just out for a laugh. He mightn't be as easily led by his hormones as you fear. How much of a say will he have in who gets promoted? Will there be an interview for the position?

All you can do is continue to do your job to the best of your ability and try not to let her behaviour get to you. Alas, as the others have pointed out, the best person for the job doesn't necessarily get promoted. That's corporate politics for you

LegacyUser

'How about an anonymous note to the person in charge of hiring you informing him or or her of certain goings on? If it's truthful it's not illegal nor immoral. There is nothing wrong of informing people of facts.

Frame it in such a way that it looks like it comes from a member of her team. The staff she manages.

Have this note delivered during the 2 week holiday you've been planning to take to Swaziland for the last 2 years. I doubt if it will be just you who is suspected if her staff hates her guts. All is fair in love and war. And that would be just as fair as her riding somebody to get a job.'

Cormster

Hi OP.
I empathise with your situation.

I would suggest trying not worry anymore than you have to about what has yet to happen, hard as that may be. Perhaps you can make yourself more visible in terms of things you do and achieve over the coming period until the interviews are done (if interviews are to be done). By this I mean putting yourself forward to additional tasks, making sure you make regular contact with the boss by asking questions (about strategic items as well as operational) and not being shy about talking yourself up.

On the basis of what you have said so far, you have a lot to be positive about regarding your performance in your current job - you have good qualifications, are doing a good job and, most importantly, have not used inappropriate tactics (lack of underwear, sexual under- overtones) to try to increase your chances of getting the job. To be honest, this in my book speaks volumes about your suitability (at least from the info presented) - and should at least be something that you can be happy about, regardless of the outcome of the candidate selection process.

Nevertheless, I can understand a level of concern regarding your colleague's somewhat devious and inappropriate behaviour. I would agree with the idea of approaching HR as regards your options - evidence or documentation might prove useful (and necessary if further action is to be taken). Perhaps even speaking to a trusted colleague or co-worker within the organisation may also prove fruitful.

Best of luck.

Mr. Incognito

Judging by the condecending one-upmanship of your post I'm not so sure you've endeared yourself to the sympathetic public. I have no doubt that you're exagerrating her antics just to make yourself look better. Personally I'd like to get both sides to the story. What to do? Do your job properly. Your boss is a big boy and can figure it out. You don't need to be sniping and sniding.

Zambia

Suck up to the boss above him. Or else start a nasty rumour about how she has the clap.

No seriously contuinue as you are , if it does not go your way consider chatting to a decent member of HR.

Chances are he will not want to burn his bridges by such a bad choice. If you have noticed this then surely others will.

Worst case scenario , You sound like a well qualified hard worker , jobs are plentiful.

Reku

bugler wrote:

Do you have a HR department? You should be making a note of these instances, and report them to HR. By any stretch of the imagination her comments are wildly inappropriate. If it was a guy making those sort of remarks to a female colleague what would happen him?

If your Boss has any sense he'll bone her and then give the promo to you.

Agreed, if a guy even used the word "c**k" in the wrong company it can get him in trouble there is no way she should be acting like this. However to be honest I have seen this kind of hypocracy from females many times in the workplace (that a lad saying something crude is contemptable but a girl saying something equally, or even more, crude is fine) so I wouldn't bet any decent sums on HR doing anything. ...yay equality...:(

I would also carefully point out to your boss that he should be careful in that becoming in anyway involved with someone he is a direct manager of is very unwise legally. Not directly, perhaps just strike up a conversation and steer it towards how your imaginary friend Mick got sued by some girl he was managing and went on a few dates with, etc..., get the cogs in his skull turning again.


Unfortunately I have found that in life the Dilbert Principle (that it's often the biggest idiot/worst person for the job who gets promoted to manager) tends to be true so I wouldn't be surprised if she does get promoted I'm afraid.

LegacyUser

'

Dalfiatach wrote:

I took a job once a good few years back, a multinational opening an in-house IT centre in Ireland. Just a few of us to begin with, with big plans for 30-40 people inside 3-4 years. Within a few months, our UK-based boss basically told us that one of the starting crew would be appointed the Ireland Boss after about another 18 months, and that he had 4 people in mind already.

He then told the 4 of us separately that we were the 4 he had in mind.

And then there was the slimiest, most obnoxious, most incompetent feckin eejit I have ever had the misfortune to work with. The guy could piss people off just by being on the same continent.

....
Boy were we wrong. Obnoxious Guy, to stunned disbelief, is appointed Ireland Boss. I resign immediately. Girl #2 braves it out for 3 months and quits as well. Company folds within year, cos everyone else leaves just as soon as they line themselves up a new job.

Moral of the story? Never assume that Management have a bloody clue about anything just because they are in charge. Never assume that just because there have been complaints from co-workers about Worker A, that Worker A has made a complete mess of every single project they have ever worked on, that people have quit the company because of Worker A, that Worker A is universally despised on the floor - never assume that all of that will somehow stop Management from making Worker A your Boss.

And never assume that a threat to resign immediately if Worker A is promoted will be listened to, or taken seriously, by Management, even if you are the technical linchpin of the entire department.

The number of times I have seen this in operation is staggering. Management assume some eejits are good because they talk the talk sand they are good at covering their own asses.
Also you will find the eejit may have a number of subordindates that actaully carry them and make them look half way reasonable.
Always beware these ar**lickers, watch out for them, they will walk over their own grandmother to get what they want. Never trust them and watch for their hangers on. They are your friends one minute but the next they drop you if politically expedient.
As stated after they get promoted, they can end up decimating a department or team because of their incompetence and bad character.

In this life you do not always get what you deserve.

Make plans now for the what if scenarios and have contingency plans in place.
Firstly, you could try and get enough dirt on this competitor to hang them out to dry if and when the need arises. She probably would not hesitate doing it to you.
She is already playing games with your head.
Prepare the CV and also check out the career options elsewhere, because if she does get the job ahead of you, then you're finished in that company.
Loyalty works both ways. Most (but definetly not all) companies I have found see their employees as replaceable. You should have the same attitude.

Some people will say I am completly cynical, but IMHO the believe that the best always gets the job is cr**. It is usally the one that plays the games with the bosses the best that gets the job.'

milkerman

Who decides who will succeed in getting the promotion?
Wearing no knickers and shagging the boss shouldn't qualify your colleague for promotion but I have seen this happen in the past.
It is a sad reflection on your bosses professional standards if he falls for this ploy. If he does, make sure is wife becomes au fait with his 'professionalism':D
I wouldn't advise you to play the same game, your integrity should be worth more than a car & salary increase.
Best Wishes

Carrigart Exile

workwoes wrote:

Ok heres the story. Basically there is my boss, myself and a female colleague and about 10 junior memebers of our team. I manage 7 of them and my colleague manages 3.

Our boss in leaving at the start of december and he has already told the 2 of us that one of us will be his replacement. The job is quite lucrative in terms of pay, bonuses and perks. I have been at the company for 2 years and my colleague (sarah) lets call her has been her for 18 months. During this time I have managed the whole "operation" when my boss is not there and i have went on and got a number of professional qualifications. I work hard and there is never a doubt about my work. My team members respect me as i treat them fairly and respect them.

Where as sarah has a cert in business from some IT in the middle of nowhere. (i have a degree) Her technical knowledge could fit on an A4 sheet of paper she has shown not amibition and she treats her team members like 2 year olds and they do not get along. She tends to just do her 9-5 and thats it.

As i said above she has shown no ambition even when told about this possible promotion they only thing she has done is to start slutting around my boss!

We were told about a month and a half ago about the promotion since then sarah has come to work at least one day without wearing any underwear (she told me so herself) told our boss at a meeting that she was "dead f**king horny" and also... how she "hasnt had good c*ck for ages" My boss thinks its great craic but i can see him starting to fall under her spell as on friday they went out for a "drink" where as he is a guy who keeps work and personal relationships seperate.

Now what the hell do i do??

This promotion to put in perspective will pretty much double my salary, give me a hefty bonus and i get an audi a6 as a company car( i currently drive a 95 punto...)

Any advice?

its worth checking to see who makes the promotion decision, I certainly wouldn't leave that decsion to someone who is leaving.

LegacyUser

guys and girls thanks for the feedback.

To answer some questions, No i am not exaggerating. I have heard that another member of staff seen them in the pub near enough to where we work on friday night and from what i hear she was pretty much trying to give him a handjob at the table. Her dress sense seems to be taken from a few pornos but thankfully a lot of people have started commenting on it and i think the boss has caught wind of this.

I will be interviewed a my bosses manager and someone else at this senior level, my boss and a HR rep will also be there.

I have started keeping a log also her work is suffering as she pretty much has spent no time doing work and her team are becoming increasingly frustrated about this.

MagicMarker

workwoes wrote:

To answer some questions, No i am not exaggerating. I have heard that another member of staff seen them in the pub near enough to where we work on friday night and from what i hear she was pretty much trying to give him a handjob at the table.

Hearsay anyone?

CrazyNoob

OP what she does outside work, in her time, isnt your concern.
Get on with doing your job, and prepare for the interview correctly
Log books, telling tales etc wont get you a promotion

If you need to undermine her, dont do so directly. Simply use her current weakness as your strenghts

(ie the fact her team is having issues - simply state as one of your strenghts you create a good company culture within your teams and you listen to your colleagues and value the views from the coalface so to speak - Do not say she is a b c etc or her team is this or that - its childish and direct snipping at her wont help you it will undermine your chances)
For one thats not the way it works at senior level

Reku

I'll just throw in a recommendation to be prepared to get alot of sh*t from her if you do get promoted and she doesn't as she sounds the type to throw a right strop. Make sure to keep a level head if this does happen, deal with any problems due to her professionally and not personally (i.e. don't let your feelings regarding her behaviour shade things).

txt_mess

TBH there is not much you can do as regards how she will act towards your boss. Do keep a record of everything she does as at the very least it may come in handy if say she gets promoted and you want to take the matter further.

Follow what some of the other posters here have suggested tell your boss out straight that you are v interested in the promotion and ask what areas you need to improve to make you the number one canditate.

On the down side I have seen stupid people be promoted before good working knowledgable people it's just the way companies work and in the end you can stick it out and play the company line or it's time to put up your CV and see what else is out there for you.

spinandscribble

simply tell the ppl under her that if they dont want her as their supreme boss they must complain about her to your bosses boss. she isnt humping him too. women like her give us all a bad name.
if you can, i dont know if its possible but tell your bosses boss will the recommendations of the employees under you be taken into considerate since they see your work on a daily basis and could be a very good judge of each of you. say it in front of your rival. she wont be able to say no.