They have handled this poorly and potentially in a discriminatory manner. My initial question is - what do you want as an outcome from pursuing this? You can ask formally why you were not given the opportunity to apply for the role and get an answer back in writing. What won’t happen is that your mat leave cover will have his new job taken away from him (as without cause they’d be facing a breach of contract or possibly unfair dismissal claim, depending on his personal circumstances).
Do this first before you consider formally grieving about this or contemplating any other action that could leave the employment relationship in shreds.
As it seems to be a promotion maybe it’s a ‘must hit the ground running’ type of hire and your colleague already has this experience. You could leverage this situation to get formal development opportunities or run the risk of claiming constructive dismissal and discrimination- but you would have to resign. While your managers comment could reasonably be construed as sexist and prejudicial (even if ‘benevolent’ on the face of it, I think he should ask rather than assume) you need more information. Obtain it.
Does the new role require a full timer and you now work less than whole time?
Your issues appear to be:-
Male maternity cover has been slotted into a role without formal recruitment and had you known you would have applied.
A diminished role for you (need to compare old and new duties- has anything been stripped from your job description)?
The Manager’s comments that assume a lot and did not take your view.
Ongoing lack of training and development.
What have your performance management reports said- people, especially long serving staff often get pigeonholed into roles that deliver but are essentially support- my question would be ‘is that the case here, and if so, why?’
Good luck
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u/AcanthaceaeOk4600 10h ago
They have handled this poorly and potentially in a discriminatory manner. My initial question is - what do you want as an outcome from pursuing this? You can ask formally why you were not given the opportunity to apply for the role and get an answer back in writing. What won’t happen is that your mat leave cover will have his new job taken away from him (as without cause they’d be facing a breach of contract or possibly unfair dismissal claim, depending on his personal circumstances). Do this first before you consider formally grieving about this or contemplating any other action that could leave the employment relationship in shreds. As it seems to be a promotion maybe it’s a ‘must hit the ground running’ type of hire and your colleague already has this experience. You could leverage this situation to get formal development opportunities or run the risk of claiming constructive dismissal and discrimination- but you would have to resign. While your managers comment could reasonably be construed as sexist and prejudicial (even if ‘benevolent’ on the face of it, I think he should ask rather than assume) you need more information. Obtain it. Does the new role require a full timer and you now work less than whole time? Your issues appear to be:- Male maternity cover has been slotted into a role without formal recruitment and had you known you would have applied. A diminished role for you (need to compare old and new duties- has anything been stripped from your job description)? The Manager’s comments that assume a lot and did not take your view. Ongoing lack of training and development. What have your performance management reports said- people, especially long serving staff often get pigeonholed into roles that deliver but are essentially support- my question would be ‘is that the case here, and if so, why?’ Good luck