How Can I Address My Promotion Delay and Unsupportive Boss with Top Management?

Dear Seniors,

I am Ashish Singh, working with an educational company in the vocational training sector for the last 3 years on a contractual basis. I have been performing well, and my seniors/Head Office always appreciate me for my performance, as evidenced by the numerous appreciation emails in my inbox. Despite this, they have been promising to promote me for the last 5 months, but I am still waiting for that promotion. Additionally, my current reporting officer is unsupportive and treats all his subordinates like autocrats.

A few months ago, I had a good personal relationship with him as I supported him in every situation, drafted his important official emails, and suggested solutions for critical problems. However, he has become rude not only to me but also to all his subordinates. Several employees have resigned due to his behavior.

Approaching Top-Level Management

How can we directly approach the top-level management to address this problem? I have built a good reputation among my colleagues and seniors through my work and behavior.

Regards,
Ashish Singh

According to my view, first, you should discuss with your boss and ask for feedback on your performance. You should determine whether he is satisfied with your performance or not. If he is satisfied, then there should be no problem with the appraisal. His rudeness may not be because of your performance; there could be many reasons behind it, such as dissatisfaction with his current boss, the need for a salary hike, or personal family issues. Therefore, you should first discuss with him. If the issue is not resolved, then you may approach his immediate team leader.

Regards,
Jitendra Das (Centre Head) Pentasoft Technologies Ltd.

A lot of problems will be resolved if one can really change his/her nature. I appreciate your views and assertiveness in talking to your boss. However, how you present it matters. I support the idea of Mr. Jitendra Das; first approach your boss to discuss your performance. When he asks about your own judgment, tell him what upsets and pleases you, but in a manner where your focus is on his behavior or situations and not on him as a person. For example, if you want to tell him that he doesn't give you full information on any task to be performed, phrase it as, 'I would like to have as much thorough information before taking up any task.'

You have not mentioned his good points at all (there must be something); emphasize his positive attributes and express your wish that a proper rapport and understanding between you both will help raise your performance bar.

Moreover, there cannot be an ideal solution to your problem. You know your boss, so you are the best judge of how to initiate this discussion.

All the best!

Best regards,
Vaishalee Parkhi