Internal move when you’re “indispensable” but being exploited.

Anonymous

May 28,2022 at 12:57PM UTC

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Internal move when you’re “indispensable” but being exploited. I developed strategies that got a senior promoted to 2 levels above me and become my manager. He had an opening a level below him to develop more of those strategies and he gave it to another person without giving me an opportunity to apply. Now there’s no open roles in my department where I can get promoted even though I was on track for a promotion (was in leadership program, etc.). I started applying to other departments since there are tons of opportunities in our company and many departments set up interviews with me. Then news leaked to my boss. He’s saying the person who was promoted will not develop strategies and I will do so for her, even though I have a different job. He’s been very candid that I will do the work and new person will get credit. He’s reached out to other departments to ask them to not hire me and many have backed away. Even a sponsor who had been recommending me has stopped doing so. If my work can get someone promoted to 2 levels above me, it doesn’t seem fair for me to continue doing work to make him and the newly promoted person look good while they acknowledge they don’t have the skill set. Any ideas on how to get another role in the same company? I’ve applied externally too but the network, institutional knowledge, and commute of my current company is unbeatable so I would prefer to transfer if it’s at all possible. My manager is powerful relative to me but he only just got promoted - have you seen other departments stand up to such bullies and fight for people resources?

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AnonymousMay 28,2022 at 2:06PM UTC
Try to be as covert as possible and build more Allies in leadership it’s the only way out. You can be less resourceful to him strategically so maybe he will lean on others more instead of you.
Julie Chatman, MBA, CISMMay 28,2022 at 2:28PM UTC
Candidly, I have not often seen people in corporate America stand up to bullies or stop workplace bullying.
But when it does happen, it’s truly inspiring.
Now that I have quite a few years of experience and have ascended to higher level leadership, my thoughts around this topic include this question: Does the company culture translate into an environment where bullying is likely?
As I read your accounting of what happened in your situation, it leads me to a related question: Why does the working environment allow for someone to use you in this way and then to tank you like this?
Are you sure you want to stay with this company? Does this company deserve your intellectual energy and your dedication?
AnonymousMay 30,2022 at 10:38PM UTC
I just watched the documentary where McDonald Douglas joined Boeing. Boeing workers loved their jobs, the safety stats were excellent and they could speak up and be listened to if something was wrong with the planes.
Julie hit the nail on the head! This is exactly what happened. At least three planes went down soon after, killing many. Does the company culture translate into an environment where bullying is likely? Julie's question. We all know the horror of the following years and I don't think one CEO went to jail! Leave quickly.
KatMay 28,2022 at 5:35PM UTC
You will never advance any higher at this company with him as your boss. He's blatantly sabotaging your movement within the company so he can get the benefits of (and credit for) your skills and ideas. Why stay here? Go somewhere else to get the promotions you deserve.
Audrey KirschMay 28,2022 at 6:40PM UTC
You would need to do some heavy duty networking in your company to overcome his negative influence in your career path. How is he able to convince other departments not to hire you? Offer to do some work with these other teams so they can see what you can do. Let as many people know as possible what work you are doing so it will be harder for the boss or the newly promoted to take the credit. If possible, leave bits of the work out that will need explanation that only you possess. If you're determined to stay at this company, you will need to find a work around to get away from this boss. Good luck!
Diana SchneidmanMay 30,2022 at 1:01PM UTC
Something essential seems to be missing from this fairly lengthy, detailed account. So I've read it twice.
What jumps out is that the boss is "he" and the person who got the job is "person." I assume you are a woman since this is FairyGodBoss.
Looks like simple sex discrimination. "He" wants to exploit you as the eternal administrative assistant, Girl Friday, regardless of your actual work title.
Or maybe there's some other discriminatory factor here, like race, sexual orientation, etc. Or he may be punishing you for your awareness that he is having an inappropriate sexual relationship with someone in the company. Or you refused his sexual advance.
Or maybe some incident or personality clash that incited this when you were previously on the path to promotion.
As posted, there's something you are either intentionally overlooking or are subconsciously ignoring. Get in touch with your gut and/or ask others.
Don't do anything at this point except figure out the issue.
Put all action on hold until you face up to the real problem.
It doesn't make sense that he suddenly became a bully and others supported him for no reason whatsoever.
AnonymousMay 30,2022 at 2:12PM UTC
The only way I can see a path forward for you is to get around him.
How supportive is your HR or your boss’s manager? If you don’t see being able to explain what he’s doing to someone in a position to influence him then really, your only alternative is to leave.
AnonymousMay 30,2022 at 2:50PM UTC
Do not go to HR. This dept is often times on the company’s side no matter what. They are not your friend and have an obligation to alert your manager. If you remember this, then you’re golden (caveat - unless you are a protected class and can sue for discrimination). They are not your friend.
There is too much politricks going on at current company. Please leave this weird situation.
Jennifer FingerMay 30,2022 at 3:08PM UTC
I think that you need to leave the company if there is no further room for growth and advancement in your career there, especially if you will never get credit for your work. If you do and your current boss can't get anything done without you, it'll eventually show once you're gone.
Alexandria WagnerMay 30,2022 at 3:42PM UTC
It's time to leave the company. Any manager who takes credit for your work or condones others doing the same isn't an ethical leader. Take your skills somewhere they will be appreciated. You deserve far better!
Liz MilneMay 30,2022 at 4:04PM UTC
Omg, tell your boss you will only do the work if you get the credit, otherwise you're walking.
How utterly disrespectful.
I would get my CV ready anyway, tbh, I wouldn't want to keep working with someone who even thinks that kind of treatment is acceptable!
AnonymousMay 30,2022 at 8:43PM UTC
I’m a little concerned about the departments that backed away. What exactly did he tell them for them to not even give you the chance to interview with them? We’re you able to find out? He may have said something that puts you in a bad light, so even if you were to apply and get the chance to interview your reputation may have been tarnished as a result. I think if he’s willing to go so far out of his way to block your promotion it’s probably best to look for openings at other companies.
AnonymousMay 30,2022 at 10:28PM UTC
Sue the bastard! He sounds like a piece of work!
AnonymousMay 31,2022 at 7:35PM UTC
sue him for what?
AnonymousJune 1,2022 at 1:51AM UTC
The boss is exploiting him/her.
Not sure if this will help but it does seem that a change is needed. Good luck.
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AnonymousJune 1,2022 at 6:12PM UTC
you need to come with a legal basis in order to sue someone and your reasoning here is not one that is going to hold up to legal scrutiny.
AnonymousJune 2,2022 at 11:38PM UTC
Perhaps stop posting under anonymous if you want to be taken seriously. Which Law School did you attend?
AnonymousJune 3,2022 at 6:47PM UTC
it doesn't take a law degree to know that you can't sue someone without legal basis. which law school did you attend? bc i'd ask for my money back given your utter lack of understanding about the law.
AnonymousJune 5,2022 at 12:17PM UTC
Can sue for defamation and there are sometimes tort laws relating to interferring in someone’s ability to get hired.
AnonymousJune 5,2022 at 6:10PM UTC
Defamation is EXTREMELY difficult to prove and in this context I can’t imagine that any lawyer would take this on. In fact, most attorneys are reluctant to take on any defamation case.
AnonymousMay 31,2022 at 1:00AM UTC
Ugh I can relate all too well to this. I ended up leaving for another company as it was clear they weren't going to change. You were smart to recognize it and seek advice, I hope someone has better advice for you.
Wanda ShawMay 31,2022 at 2:29AM UTC
It seems that your manager knows how valuable and talented you are, perhaps, so much so that he won't risk letting you go somewhere else in the company where your worth would be recognized and perhaps you'd be promoted over him.
I didn't think that folks like him existed n the current work environment, but your post proves otherwise. He's a self-serving manipulator and you really should plan a strategy to get away from under his grips, even if it means looking at opportunities at other companies.
Julie HumbirdMay 31,2022 at 3:51PM UTC
I missed out on a LOT of promotions and higher pay because a VP wanted all my expertise and blocked me from moving teams where she couldn't take credit for my work. Unfortunately, there is a culture where internal promotions to other teams is considered "poaching talent".
My suggestion is to document your strategies that you developed as accomplishments and get your resume circulated. You might also consult an employment attorney or your state's labor board for some ideas.
Karen GongawareJune 1,2022 at 4:27PM UTC
Get it in writing that you are to do her/his job and get no credit. Otherwise, he cannot order you to do anything that your name is not included on. He is a thief or better yet, an intellectual property thief. CAN always threaten and follow through with a civil suit. AND hostile/toxic working environment. Document everything and DO NOT do their work. Smile and talk to a labor lawyer.