Sigh... (in Off-topic)

I guess the moral is to not expect good things to happen.

I've been busy at work since May. My line manager, the Bursar of the school, was certificated off for illness. and among a few other, issues, at school, we have an upcoming finance audit. We've pushed this back until the end of January.

I picked up most of my bosses workload, and have been covering that alongisde my own responsibilities. As such, I've been working at least a couple of hours extra most nights, and forging a good relationship with the Headteacher.

When it was mentioned that the Head would require someone he could trust looking after the Finances, and was it something I'd be interested in, I actually started considering the posibility that I might have an avenue of progression. i had a small doubt when the Head offered me a backdated payrise, to relfect the duties I'm doing now. Maybe he was covering me if my boss does return form Long term sickness. She's now been off for 7-8 Months.

I've been working so hard, I've not started my xmas shopping yet, and hardly see my kids during the weekdays (which I realised, I'm not too fussed about not being at home, becuase it's currently a massive mess, but that's something for another topic), but this was preperation for a large promotion. Up to the Senior Leadership of the School, away form the roles i've been providing for the last 10 years (come April), and finally getting some input on the strategy and development of the school. and one way or another, it wouldn't be forever. my boss could return. Probably after the finance audit...

Then last night, talking to the head about current issues at the school, and how we could manage them, he mentions that he feels a member of staff who came in recently as a Temp, and was offered the Finance Officer role (who left just prior to the Bursar being signed off) would make a good bursar, and he would train her up to become one.

A little taken back, I mearly mentioned that I was quite lookng forward to getting an office of my own.

To which I was told, I'm far too important where I currently am, and i'm too much of a people person anyway.

So there you go. I've done my job well. Bloody well. And as such I've now worked myself out of any hope of any sort of progression in my current job. And while I doubt the Head will change the current management structure (I report directly to him now, in the Bursars absence), so I doubt that when the finance officer becomes our Bursar (if the original bursar doesn't return), I will be line managed by a temp that only came to school recently, i will still be on the same 'level' as them, and I doubt an Office/data manage will be asked to join the Senior Leadership Team. While the Bursar, who controls the school million pound budget, would still be required to do so.

I'm a tad frustrated and depressed currently. With little motivation.

Had it happen to me before multiple times and it sucks every time it happens. I really am sorry you've had to deal with this situation bro. The only thing I have found that works for me is to remember that they needed me more than I needed them.

I still love you, and I've never been accused of being a people person.

Thats crushing. The way I see it, go home and spend more time with your family. They are taking advantage of you whether its to make the budget look good or what ever, to replace you means paying nearly the same and getting half responsibilities. I would not put up a much of a fuss.

Given that you know what you can do now with all the extra responsibility, you could if you wanted to get that position some wheres else. Not saying you should if youre happy at your current place.

Honestly, your getting screwed. Crap like this happens every day because people let it happen without so much as a peep of a complaint. Example: My mother used to work in the accounting portion of a local hospital which employed 2 people to cover all financials. after working there 3 years they fired the other one. After the firing they told my mom they would hired someone as soon as possible, and could she please handle the load until they could find a replacement. Liking her job at the time she said sure and was immediately doing the workload of 2 people. After 6 months of this she started complaining, their reply was that they hadn't found a suitable candidate for the job but they were hopeful. They gave her an extra $250 a month for her trouble and she waited, and waited and waited, for 4 years. So for almost 5 years she did the work of 2 people for the price of 1. During the end she developed Fibromyalgia due to the stress of the job and when she tried to get help for it from her employer they fired her.

Moral of the story... Find a different job. They really dont care about you if they are hiring a temp to fill a job you could easily do...

Never let your employer take advantage of you like that. This goes for everyone in the thread, you let them walk over you once and you've killed any chance of getting out from under their foot. It's quite unfortunate but is really the truth. If you want to really progress you gotta start stepping on some toes and spinning the cogs yourself, because no one else will do it for you.

I'd just like to add I wasn't taken advanatge of.

I worked those extra hours becuase I wanted to. To show the extra effort that ws needed, and I was prepared to give.

In return, the Head had been very flexible with allowing me time off if i needed it, and recently even questioned why i wasn't claiming for the hours.

volunteering or not bro work is work and you should get paid for it and it needs to be documented(to be explained later). Earlier I said what worked for me, now it may not work for you. However in my instances it made it easier for me to add things to my resume and rarely do I not land a job with my first interview. In short it is a stepping stone move IF you utilize it properly. Then of course the previous job feels like a donkey butt for not keeping you......their loss not yours.

If it is necessary or beneficial move on bro. Sometimes it is not because they do not want to hire you into a position. It is because they cannot justify it in the paperwork. I know this because I have been a hiring/firing manager before in retail and security. It is difficult when you have a person you KNOW would be awesome at the job but the higher ups don't give a damn they want it in writing period end of report so you have to pass them up.

Bottomline bro sometimes it is like gambling.......you have to know when to fold'em, walk away or outright run.

I'd offer help, but I'm nowhere near the right person for it.

All I can say is that you deserve more than what you've been getting for all that work.

Thanks. :)

Now's not the right time in the run up to xmas to look for a new job. Come the new year, the hunt begins in earnest.

Sorry about your frustration and extreme bad luck GL. Honestly though I too have fallen victim to this same routine. Taking the initiative to learn a new position, take on more responsibilities and work hard to get a raise or promotion all to see your manager crap all over you for it. However look at the positive you have one hell of a resume builder due to your experience. I truly believe that we are the sum of our life experiences. Just remember that when you are in the position to hand out a raise, promote or hire someone.