Boss promised promotion, then got downsized
Q My boss promised me a promotion in November. Then he said it was happening in December. Then he got downsized. Does this mean I’m never getting promoted?
A I feel your pain. Talk to the interim boss or your boss’s boss — better yet, both. And loop in HR. Did he mention it in writing or was it only verbal? Hopefully it was in writing so you can simply forward it and find out when the date will be effective.
If it’s not in writing, all is not lost. Approach the powers that be and mention you anticipated this was happening as you’ve mastered your current job and you’re on track for — mention the title here and responsibilities — and you wanted to know when it is going to happen. You’ll need to be proactive and initiate the meeting while keeping expectations in check to read the room.
If your boss, for instance, was downsized due to egregious behavior, then they may say, “Oh yeah, he promised everyone a promotion.” So, stand your ground as to why you earned this promotion. Follow up after the meeting, send them an email continue to follow up with an effective date, new pay and new title.
If it doesn’t go as planned — and this is entirely possible — you know what to do next: immediately start an external job search. If your boss’s replacement hasn’t been announced yet, maybe that’s the promotion you want to pursue instead of Plan A. It sounds like you have the skills/experiences to succeed in a new role whether it’s this company or another one.
Q I have a lot going on this year. I’m planning a destination wedding and although I could really use the money for a new job that my fiance and my family are pressuring me to get, I can’t handle something new and stressful. Can I just coast this year?
A I hear you — and you’re in the same boat as many people who have a major life change such as yours, caregiving for a child and/or elderly relative and more. You’re asking me for permission, so I’m going to say: Give yourself permission to do what you need to do that best supports you.
There is nothing wrong, I repeat nothing wrong, with coasting in a job that you know how to do as your energy is diverted and probably depleted planning an important milestone in your life. It’s especially true if you have the flexibility to do external work, which may be like its own mini full-time job in itself. This flexibility may or may not be present in a new full-time job that you’ll need time to assimilate into, learn, ramp up, focus and excel in.
If the issue is more money, perhaps there’s a side hustle — there are many you can do to work from home — that offer both flexibility and opportunities to ramp up income without making a bigger change of looking for and starting a new full-time job.
Vicki Salemi is a career expert, former corporate recruiter, author, consultant, speaker, and career coach. Send your questions to hello@vickisalemi. com. For more information, visit www.vickisalemi.com and follow her on Twitter and Instagram @vickisalemi./ Tribune News Service