Feeling Overlooked? A Junior Colleague Got Promoted Above Me—What Should I Do?

Dear All, I have been working as an Executive HR in a multinational company since March 2010. Today, it has come to my knowledge that my company has appointed a colleague of mine (who was one year junior to me in college) to a grade above me, in the position of Associate Manager - HR. Is there anything I should do about it? Please advise.

Please have a look at the trend in the company regarding where freshers from college are placed and at what grade. Your junior could have some work experience prior to joining his post-graduation, hence was taken on a higher grade. Companies usually have set guidelines on campus intake, with details of batch, placement in which grade, stream, etc., to avoid disparity.

You can also approach your recruitment team and ask for clarification in your and your junior's case.

Regards

Dear Balaji, thank you for the reply. My company recruited me through campus placement last year, and this year my junior was recruited through the same procedure. It's apparent that my company has changed its recruitment policy in the last year regarding recruitment for my post.

Regards,
Nikhil

Sometimes it happens when lateral entry takes place in any company. It is a fait accompli; you can do nothing, but you can approach your management for consideration of your case if your performance level is satisfactory.

Regards,
Pon

But this is highly unjust that people recruited from the same college are not falling under the same grade of employment. Both of us were freshmen when we were recruited. Isn't there any rule or law regarding the same? I heard from someone that it is a duty of a company to maintain Batch Parity and avoid pay anomalies. Can anyone suggest in that direction?

Regards.

Hello Nikhil1986, leaving aside the semantics like 'Batch Parity', etc., I suggest learning to live and adapt to the changing situation/scenario as you gain experience.

If you recollect, 2010 was the year when the global recession was just receding and things were getting back to normal. Under those circumstances, maybe your company could handle only that package that was given to you then?

And things are far better this year, which could have led the company to revise the Campus Placement policies—so your junior got a better deal. Whether one agrees with it or not, that's reality.

All you can do now is what Pon suggested [...approach your management for consideration...] or what ukuk13 suggested [...look for a change...].

But also please bear in mind that there's a downside if you implement Pon's suggestion—the possibility that your raising the issue could be treated as 'questioning the company policies after just a year of service'. It would all depend on 'how' you raise the issue—if you raise it the way you raised it in this forum [sort of 'as a matter of right'], you would be inviting trouble—with a capital T.

All the best.

Regards,
TS

There is no law that speaks of equitable positioning or parity, from what I know. This is purely guided by the company policy. As mentioned, if there is a guideline for campus placement and intake, do get in touch with your recruitment team to find out more. For all you know, there may have been a change in policy, and you may be upgraded before the new batch joins.

If you raise it the way you raised it in this forum [sort of 'as a matter of right'], you would be inviting trouble—with a capital T. All the best.

Regards,
TS

+1 to that. On the other side of the coin, you need to approach this very sensitively. Do not make any unnecessary "panga" with your management, given that you are still very young in the organization. Laws of equity aside, in your future professional life, you will come across instances where people who you think are junior or equal to you in terms of your parameters will be getting more than you earn or occupying higher positions. It's a fact of life. Accept it, and you will not feel bad about it. We all have learned to accept this after many years of experience. It doesn't really matter in reality. All the best, and expend all your efforts towards becoming a seasoned HR professional wherever you work. No one can take away what you truly deserve.

It happened to me also. I was a deputy manager in my previous company, and one employee was brought into my department as an assistant manager with a higher salary than mine. Luckily, I received an offer to leave this disparity issue. Even though I raised this concern to my management, they did not listen.

Advice for Career Progression

The best course of action, especially at the start of your career, is to seek better opportunities and continue learning in your current job. Demonstrate your value to management and strive to prove yourself worthy of it.

All the best,

Eswar.K

This situation may arise for a variety of reasons. Favoritism might be one such reason, but you should look at the issue in a positive manner. It may arise from a change in policy, as many have suggested. In such a case, your company may also have plans to compensate you with a promoted position and salary/benefits in the near future, possibly after your next appraisal, to bring parity. You may also look at both of your academic backgrounds and achievements. That might give you an indication for such a corporate decision.

I suggest you be patient and find out if they have any plans to bring parity between you two. We, as humans, have a tendency to compare ourselves with people who are above us rather than those who are below us. With careful observation, you may find several employees in your organization with similar credentials as you but are recruited at a lower level than you. Evident to basic human characteristics, you have never felt bothered by such incidents.

Regards,
Tareq Hamid
Manager - HR
Bank Alfalah Limited
Bangladesh Operations

Hi Nikhil,

The article [How To Graduate In A Recession - Forbes.com](http://www.forbes.com/2009/04/16/graduate-recession-jobs-intelligent-investing-government.html) shows that individuals who graduate during a recession year generally have less career growth. Also, just graduating from the same college is NOT a guarantee that both of you are equal. Please do a comparison of academics/work experience (if he has any) before concluding your equality. If all these things are even somewhat equal, you have been wronged, and it is time to move on.

Best Wishes,
AD

Dear All,

Yesterday, I was called by the General Manager of HR. He gave me a letter informing me about my re-designation as Associate Manager of HR (pursuant to 'Market Based Corrections').

Gratitude for all your valuable suggestions and words of encouragement. Have a nice day 

Regards,
Nikhil