Backstabber?

[Reincarnated]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Michigan

Before rendering good advice, please try to imagine yourself in my position. Short and simple, I began working with the government as a temporary employee four years ago. The head of the department looked favorably on me and got my foot in the door. After working two years as a permanent state employee, with union membership, I applied for a few positions which, if I had been selected, I would received a promotion with a significantly higher salary and classification. But I didn't get the job. Candidates were selected from outside agencies who were not better qualified than me. Of course, no matter why I didn't get the job, I am left to feel they didn't take care of their own. So I call the union to find out how I could not get a job that I am most qualified for. The union's position stated there were civil service rules and regulations violations in the hiring process. Now it's out of my hands once the union gets wind of contract violations. My major concern now is ruining my relationship with the head of the department who got my foot in the door. I didn't realize calling the union would present problems to the department head because I didn't know the department would be cited for violating the union contract. My career may be over because the department head will surely hate me now, won't she? But should she? Did I stab her in the back by calling the union to ask questions? Should I feel guilty for exercising my union rights if it gets the person who hired me in a mess with the union? This is what happens when you don't take care of your own. I couldn't sit and watch unqualified people get a job that I was most qualified for. Should I start looking for another job if I have a legal claim of "denial of a promotion while engaged in a protected activity?" On paper, the employer won't win in my case. I can certainly keep working if I choose to sue, but how uncomfortable to sue an employer and still work with your co-workers. What a mess!

[swrdmbo]

"Should I feel guilty for exercising my union rights if it gets the person who hired me in a mess with the union? This is what happens when you don't take care of your own."

I think this is called rationalizing.

The woman helped you get your foot in the door and yet you do not discuss this with her first,before calling the union??

How do you KNOW you were more qualified than the people hired?Maybe there was a quota the company had to meet.You may have found out why you did not get the jobs had you talked with the dept. head first .

But you chose to go to the union first.

You seem big on "taking care of your own". That must only apply to you as YOU certainly were not following that party line when you called the union without even speaking to your supervisor first.



Lots of luck with all that good will that you had been enjoying.In my opinion you never deserved it.As soon as you got your foot in the door you wanted more, and to hell with everyone else...especially the person that got you where you are to begin with.

You're right...even if you win I am sure you are going to be very well received in your office.Hope it was worth it.

[Reincarnated]

Originally Posted by swrdmbo

"Should I feel guilty for exercising my union rights if it gets the person who hired me in a mess with the union? This is what happens when you don't take care of your own."

I think this is called rationalizing.

The woman helped you get your foot in the door and yet you do not discuss this with her first,before calling the union??

How do you KNOW you were more qualified than the people hired?Maybe there was a quota the company had to meet.You may have found out why you did not get the jobs had you talked with the dept. head first .

But you chose to go to the union first.

You seem big on "taking care of your own". That must only apply to you as YOU certainly were not following that party line when you called the union without even speaking to your supervisor first.

Lots of luck with all that good will that you had been enjoying.In my opinion you never deserved it.As soon as you got your foot in the door you wanted more, and to hell with everyone else...especially the person that got you where you are to begin with.

You're right...even if you win I am sure you are going to be very well received in your office.Hope it was worth it.

Apparently the advice of some cannot be well taken, such as yours. I never said the department head was my supervisor. I referred to her by what she is...a department head. I went to my supervisor...to find out why I didn't get the jobs. His response was "I don't know...you should have gotten one of those positions."

It would also serve you well to know that it's against policies and regulations for state employees to discuss matters covered by the union with management. I did the right thing by asking my supervisor how I could be passed over for those jobs? When he responded, "I don't know", the line had to be drawn there. I then had to make a decision whether or not to contact the union to ask union questions, which could open the pandora box, unfortunately.

So your attempt to make me feel terribly guilty for asking a union question to the union actually makes me feel better. The department head has nothing to do with the decision of managers who select candidates for positions. However, since the dept. head is responsible for the overall department, she has to deal with union issues.

And for your information, if you had thought to put yourself in my position, you would feel the same way that I do. It sounds pretty ignorant to say that as soon as I got my foot in the door, I wanted more. The post states I spent four years at my job. When people spend four years at the same job, they've paid their dues for a promotion. In fact, your response is so clueless and arrogant, I'm better off closing here because you obviously don't know what you're talking about. Any rational person could agree before employees are hired from the outside, employees from the inside should be hired first, as long as they have a good work record and meet the qualifications.

[HomeGuru]

Originally Posted by Reincarnated

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Michigan

Before rendering good advice, please try to imagine yourself in my position. Short and simple, I began working with the government as a temporary employee four years ago. The head of the department looked favorably on me and got my foot in the door. After working two years as a permanent state employee, with union membership, I applied for a few positions which, if I had been selected, I would received a promotion with a significantly higher salary and classification. But I didn't get the job. Candidates were selected from outside agencies who were not better qualified than me. Of course, no matter why I didn't get the job, I am left to feel they didn't take care of their own. So I call the union to find out how I could not get a job that I am most qualified for. The union's position stated there were civil service rules and regulations violations in the hiring process. Now it's out of my hands once the union gets wind of contract violations. My major concern now is ruining my relationship with the head of the department who got my foot in the door. I didn't realize calling the union would present problems to the department head because I didn't know the department would be cited for violating the union contract. My career may be over because the department head will surely hate me now, won't she? But should she? Did I stab her in the back by calling the union to ask questions? Should I feel guilty for exercising my union rights if it gets the person who hired me in a mess with the union? This is what happens when you don't take care of your own. I couldn't sit and watch unqualified people get a job that I was most qualified for. Should I start looking for another job if I have a legal claim of "denial of a promotion while engaged in a protected activity?" On paper, the employer won't win in my case. I can certainly keep working if I choose to sue, but how uncomfortable to sue an employer and still work with your co-workers. What a mess!

**A: I imagined myself in your position and totally agree with you that it is a mess.

[swrdmbo]

My answer would have been totally different HAD YOU POSTED that you went to your supervisor and asked why you did not get the job, and were told you should have,IN YOUR ORIGINAL POST!

Big difference. But since you have this all figured out anyway I guess I do not see why you are even posting.

Do you really even have a question, or are you looking for someone to agree with you that you did the right thing.

I hope you get everything you deserve.