How to address: employee went over my head to my boss for a promotion

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I manage 10-20 people. I look out for my staff, I support and advocate for my staff.

If one of my staff crossed me like that, I would simply stop looking out for them. They would be on their own. I don't have time for people who try to circumvent me. If it was an A+ employee, I might make an effort, but it usually isn't- otherwise they would have gotten the raise.
Once I decide to neglect a staff person, they usually leave in a year or so, which is good for all.

And keep in mind that your boss might be the exact same way. And something you see as advocating for yourself might be viewed by that person as a “betrayal”

You are a not a benevolent ruler watching out and guiding your subjects. You need to lose that mindset fast.
You are a manager of a team proving a work product and at anytime somebody could come along and deem no longer needed.

Btw I am in my 40s and have seen this attitude so many times that I now just sit back and wait for the person to get sacked. Always happens. Always. Because you are focusing on being a ruler of people and not enough on the work and your own value.

+1

You sound like a bad boss. This is not a personal agenda, your staff might need help. They might be getting divorced and *need* that promotion, they might have cancer, and they're trying to be proactive and looking out for themselves. To view them as an adversary and then think them leaving is good for everyone is such a loser attitude.

+2 to all of this. Whether the benevolent PP is the OP, I'm not sure but the advice applies equally.

[Anonymous]

If she were a man, this wouldn't be such a problem. Ambition looks better on men. Do what you to do to keep her down in her place - but be civil because she may be your boss someday.

[Anonymous]

The problem was the boss took the time to listen. Why? That's Op's problem. The boss thought it was ok to hear this subordinate. If the boss hadn't thought it was at all appropriate and said not to it, he/she would never have had the meeting. That is the reason, mostly, why Op feels vulnerable. Or that should be the reason.

[Anonymous]

and if enough subordinates do it, Op is on very shaky ground