“Irresponsible” for getting a promotion

[Anonymous]

I’ve posted before. I’m having major anxiety.

I’ve been unhappy with my manager and the team I’m on has a lot of dysfunction. There was a promotion opportunity in another division. I applied and I got it. It’s a title and pay bump, more autonomy etc.

I gave notice to manager - he was ok. The next day I get a scathing call from my bosses boss. How I was “irresponsible” for applying, I should have let my manager approve my application (HR signed off per company protocol ), and that it looks like I’m running away. He wants to block (best case: delay) my move because “the other team is stealing his resources”.

I followed company protocol. I went through the process like everyone else. I was honest and transparent. I asked new boss to approve me supporting one of my existing projects to see it through. And now I may end up with no job. New boss is not amused by drama.

Not once did anyone ask me how I was doing, or what my career goals were or even say “nice job”. So, what do I do now?

[Anonymous]

Talk to your new boss about it... let him fight for you on the upper levels.

[Anonymous]

What if the new boss finds this guy intimidating?

I’d go into boss’s boss office and say you’re sorry if this is putting him in a bad place and you don’t want to burn a bridge. Say of course you need to advance your career but offer to do everything you can to make sure you don’t compromise his operations. In other words kill him with kindness and make him feel shitty for undermining you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What if the new boss finds this guy intimidating?

I’d go into boss’s boss office and say you’re sorry if this is putting him in a bad place and you don’t want to burn a bridge. Say of course you need to advance your career but offer to do everything you can to make sure you don’t compromise his operations. In other words kill him with kindness and make him feel shitty for undermining you.

I don't think bosses who are that selfish are capable of feeling crappy for undermining someone. Though I won't disagree with the "kill him with kindness" idea.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’ve posted before. I’m having major anxiety.

I’ve been unhappy with my manager and the team I’m on has a lot of dysfunction. There was a promotion opportunity in another division. I applied and I got it. It’s a title and pay bump, more autonomy etc.

I gave notice to manager - he was ok. The next day I get a scathing call from my bosses boss. How I was “irresponsible” for applying, I should have let my manager approve my application (HR signed off per company protocol ), and that it looks like I’m running away. He wants to block (best case: delay) my move because “the other team is stealing his resources”.

I followed company protocol. I went through the process like everyone else. I was honest and transparent. I asked new boss to approve me supporting one of my existing projects to see it through. And now I may end up with no job. New boss is not amused by drama.

Not once did anyone ask me how I was doing, or what my career goals were or even say “nice job”. So, what do I do now?

"John, I followed protocol. I would think you'd be happy for a woman, especially in this #metoo and feminist twitter climate, to be able to brag outwardly for helping to promote a woman. I would think it could end up being a terrible mistake for you otherwise. Let me know what I can do to help."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What if the new boss finds this guy intimidating?

I’d go into boss’s boss office and say you’re sorry if this is putting him in a bad place and you don’t want to burn a bridge. Say of course you need to advance your career but offer to do everything you can to make sure you don’t compromise his operations. In other words kill him with kindness and make him feel shitty for undermining you.

If he even SMELLS fear on OP, she's done for. She needs to bring a f***** gun to his knife fight.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve posted before. I’m having major anxiety.

I’ve been unhappy with my manager and the team I’m on has a lot of dysfunction. There was a promotion opportunity in another division. I applied and I got it. It’s a title and pay bump, more autonomy etc.

I gave notice to manager - he was ok. The next day I get a scathing call from my bosses boss. How I was “irresponsible” for applying, I should have let my manager approve my application (HR signed off per company protocol ), and that it looks like I’m running away. He wants to block (best case: delay) my move because “the other team is stealing his resources”.

I followed company protocol. I went through the process like everyone else. I was honest and transparent. I asked new boss to approve me supporting one of my existing projects to see it through. And now I may end up with no job. New boss is not amused by drama.

Not once did anyone ask me how I was doing, or what my career goals were or even say “nice job”. So, what do I do now?

"John, I followed protocol. I would think you'd be happy for a woman, especially in this #metoo and feminist twitter climate, to be able to brag outwardly for helping to promote a woman. I would think it could end up being a terrible mistake for you otherwise. Let me know what I can do to help."

Are you kidding? Not so thinly veiled threats?

"John, I followed protocol. I would appreciate it if you'd do the same. If you feel my start date should be extended so I can finish up some work first, let's talk about a reasonable date. But you can't block this indefinitely."

You should be talking to HR about this. and if your new boss isn't standing up for you and working to get you, expect the same shit to play out on that team as well. I recently "poached" two outstanding employees from other offices in my agencies. The manager of the first was collegial and we easily set a transfer date a few weeks out. The manager of the second tried to play coy and claimed she needed the employee to train someone new, aka do the same job alongside her for months. I told her I would expect the employee on my team 4 weeks from the time she accepted the offer, and that I was being generous in doing so because technically her start date was a week from the offer acceptance. She didn't respond. Employee showed up on the date I specified and her former boss said nothing, and we still have a fine working relationship (or at least as fine as it ever was).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What if the new boss finds this guy intimidating?

I’d go into boss’s boss office and say you’re sorry if this is putting him in a bad place and you don’t want to burn a bridge. Say of course you need to advance your career but offer to do everything you can to make sure you don’t compromise his operations. In other words kill him with kindness and make him feel shitty for undermining you.

If he even SMELLS fear on OP, she's done for. She needs to bring a f***** gun to his knife fight.

Hell yes. Do NOT use the word “sorry” when/if you talk to him about it

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What if the new boss finds this guy intimidating?

I’d go into boss’s boss office and say you’re sorry if this is putting him in a bad place and you don’t want to burn a bridge. Say of course you need to advance your career but offer to do everything you can to make sure you don’t compromise his operations. In other words kill him with kindness and make him feel shitty for undermining you.

NP. I wish I knew you IRL, so you could give me advice all the time!

[Anonymous]

You might also confirm to him you ARE running away.

[Anonymous]

Inform HR and your new boss and ask them to sort it out. Meanwhile continue to look for other jobs outside the company. I wouldn't even bother engaging with old boss. If it's his decision and the higher-ups don't back you up, then you have all the information you need.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Inform HR and your new boss and ask them to sort it out. Meanwhile continue to look for other jobs outside the company. I wouldn't even bother engaging with old boss. If it's his decision and the higher-ups don't back you up, then you have all the information you need.

Yes, you are done with the old position one way or another, and that is a good thing!!! +1 for not wasting time with the old boss. He sees you as nothing more than a pawn, and he won't listen to anything you say. You may want to get it in writing from HR ASAP that you followed all policy to the letter so that old boss can't try to turn things around later. This is him having a power trip/tantrum.

[Anonymous]

OP, your old boss doesn’t own you. You are a COMPANY resource, not his personal b*tch. The fact that he is being so petty about you being promoted within the company speaks all it needs to about his lack of leadership.

[Anonymous]

Have you talked to HR about this? What specifically did your new boss say?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve posted before. I’m having major anxiety.

I’ve been unhappy with my manager and the team I’m on has a lot of dysfunction. There was a promotion opportunity in another division. I applied and I got it. It’s a title and pay bump, more autonomy etc.

I gave notice to manager - he was ok. The next day I get a scathing call from my bosses boss. How I was “irresponsible” for applying, I should have let my manager approve my application (HR signed off per company protocol ), and that it looks like I’m running away. He wants to block (best case: delay) my move because “the other team is stealing his resources”.

I followed company protocol. I went through the process like everyone else. I was honest and transparent. I asked new boss to approve me supporting one of my existing projects to see it through. And now I may end up with no job. New boss is not amused by drama.

Not once did anyone ask me how I was doing, or what my career goals were or even say “nice job”. So, what do I do now?

"John, I followed protocol. I would think you'd be happy for a woman, especially in this #metoo and feminist twitter climate, to be able to brag outwardly for helping to promote a woman. I would think it could end up being a terrible mistake for you otherwise. Let me know what I can do to help."

Are you kidding? Not so thinly veiled threats?

"John, I followed protocol. I would appreciate it if you'd do the same. If you feel my start date should be extended so I can finish up some work first, let's talk about a reasonable date. But you can't block this indefinitely."

You should be talking to HR about this. and if your new boss isn't standing up for you and working to get you, expect the same shit to play out on that team as well. I recently "poached" two outstanding employees from other offices in my agencies. The manager of the first was collegial and we easily set a transfer date a few weeks out. The manager of the second tried to play coy and claimed she needed the employee to train someone new, aka do the same job alongside her for months. I told her I would expect the employee on my team 4 weeks from the time she accepted the offer, and that I was being generous in doing so because technically her start date was a week from the offer acceptance. She didn't respond. Employee showed up on the date I specified and her former boss said nothing, and we still have a fine working relationship (or at least as fine as it ever was).

This. Talk to HR to flag actions by your current boss that are inappropriate and keep it professional with him until you leave and do not apologize or engage.