Coworker “promoted” to manager but not officially through HR [closed]

manpreet Best Answer 2 years ago

A coworker was given a title of Team Manager and I and my fellow employees are expected to report to this person instead of going to our official boss. However...it is an unofficial title (for now). This person will conduct our one-on-on meetings and team meetings and get to chime in on our evaluations and determine our workflow, etc.

I work in a very large corporation and all manager positions are competitive (you have to conduct interviews). That is why I think this person was just given an honorary title -- however, if and when the position comes available officially I'm sure they will just point to this person and say -- well, they are already doing the job so they have the experience and that makes them more qualified than you.

My question is -- is it ethical for a peer to "act" as your boss and rank or rate you? This co-worker is now the only person who has direct access to the official boss. Should I go to HR with my concerns? Or would I just be making waves. I have indicated my wish to be promoted to management.

Just to add another piece of info -- our team is located in three different states and this new Team Leader is a personal friend of the official boss and sits in the office next to him. Also -- this "promotion" came out of the blue -- it was never mentioned that we were looking for a team manager it was announced in an email as a done deal.

I am not the only one who is upset about this...but we all feel our hands are tied.

manpreet 2 years ago

HR is not your friend, and Managers have a right to manage.

If this is how your boss wants to delegate his responsibilities then that is his prerogative. He's done nothing illegal, immoral, or even particularly out of the ordinary.

But it does make it clear that he intends to get his friend that promotion. So, if that's what your heart is set on, either look for an internal transfer, or start looking for a new job, because it's not happening here.