Promotion without the promotion?

July 22, 2022 6:29 AM

I've been assigned a new job at the place I've been working 10+ years and because of the title and the department people are assuming it is a promotion. But it isn't. Or is it?

I work in administration in a public university and was recently notified that I was being switched from the title/department where I've been working to another, in many people's eyes, more prestigious department with a fancier title. The move does not come with a promotion in terms of the org chart or increase in pay, something I have been fighting for for some time. And I do not have a choice about taking this new role.

Colleagues are congratulating me. Do I say thank you and let them think I've been promoted? My ego kind of wants to, but my worker rights leanings say that to do so benefits management by letting workers think there are promotions when there aren't. My partner (who does not work in this field) argues that I have received a sort of promotion in that this job comes with higher, more complex and visible duties that surely recognizes my competencies and value I bring to the organization; moreover, he says this new job better positions me to apply for higher level positions in the future (which I agree with).

My question is do I just say "thank you" or tell colleagues that it isn't really a promotion? Or, as my partner argues, maybe it is promotion-ish. Answers from folks who understand university culture, especially big public university culture as staff would be most helpful. All are welcome to help me think through this.

posted by Pineapplicious to Human Relations (15 answers total)

Best answer: "Thank you! It happens to be a promotion with no pay increase, so I'm feeling a bit mixed about it!"
posted by Ausamor at 6:33 AM on July 22, 2022 [12 favorites]

I don't know much about university culture but I think people say congratulations because they think they're supposed to, and all they're expecting to hear back is thanks. It doesn't have to be a longer conversation.
posted by bleep at 6:37 AM on July 22, 2022 [22 favorites]

Say thanks, apply elsewhere.
posted by kingdead at 6:53 AM on July 22, 2022 [5 favorites]

Maybe it isn’t a promotion but if it’s perceived as a more senior role, I’d use it to springboard to a better paid job elsewhere; turn it into the promotion it should be.
posted by Jubey at 7:00 AM on July 22, 2022 [22 favorites]

I usually congratulate people when they change positions, even laterally, because it seems polite. It's like learning someone's pregnant -- you behave as though it's a good thing, even if you know it might be complicated or mixed. Don't read too much into peoples' responses.
posted by chesty_a_arthur at 7:08 AM on July 22, 2022 [13 favorites]

Best answer: "Yes I’m looking forward to the change. I just wish it was an administrative bump as well."
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 7:13 AM on July 22, 2022 [2 favorites]

It is all in one's definition of "promotion". To the people congratulating you, it is. They are saying congratulations sincerely. Thank them. Your issue of pay is a separate, but to you, linked issue. I am not sure the benefit you get from opening up a discussion about the University's policies. I doubt it will get you a raise or an org chart promotion. It may piss off whomever makes the decision about raises, etc. When you get to your new job, tell your new boss that you are excited about the new role, you will do it as well as it can be done, but you were surprised and disappointed that you were not given an increase in pay that you thought you earned and deserved.

Or, have the discussion with someone (HR?) who can affect the change, not with well meaning colleagues who can only sympathize not do anything about it.
posted by JohnnyGunn at 7:17 AM on July 22, 2022

Yes, I think people who are congratulating you are just being friendly or polite. In a similar situation in a very different sector, I answered on a scale from "Thanks!" to extremely salty probably along the lines of "more work and the same pay, what's not to like!" depending on the recipient..
posted by love2potato at 7:18 AM on July 22, 2022 [2 favorites]

Best answer: Just recently someone said to me, "Thanks! It's a lateral move but [reason to be happy about it]." Not the first time I've heard something like that. It can be useful information.
posted by BibiRose at 7:23 AM on July 22, 2022 [15 favorites]

Best answer: I think you're right to not want people to read it as a pay increase, even if they are congratulating out of politeness/instinct/habit etc. It's kind of like being forced into a micro-aggression against worker's rights and fair pay.

In addition to the good scripts above, you can go with something more cutting like "thanks, I like the new title and more visible role, but I wish it came with a corresponding pay increase! You know how the university will reward performance with everything but a raise amiright?" Obviously use your discretion on who is safe to gripe to like this.
posted by SaltySalticid at 7:40 AM on July 22, 2022 [7 favorites]

It's appropriate to congratulate a coworker on a job change in general, even if the job change is not a promotion. Although in this case, the job change isn't voluntary, most professional job changes are. It's reasonable for them to assume that you picked the new job because you wanted it - regardless of whether that means more money/responsibility or less money/responsibility. Hence, congratulations are in order.

Your coworkers don't determine your pay, responsibilities, or organizational structure. Complaining to them about perceived issues with your broader organization is not likely to be fruitful for you and is more likely to make your coworkers think you are grumpy.
posted by saeculorum at 7:41 AM on July 22, 2022 [2 favorites]

Best answer: People are being polite, and depending on who it is may also be hoping to get some scuttlebutt on what actually happened here. I agree with your workers rights leanings to say something that makes it clear that this wasn't your choice and it isn't really a promotion, like "it's really more of a reorganization" or whatever is true.

Is your institution's salary information public record? I'd review if you're being paid similarly to others in your new position and that would influence my conversations with coworkers, it's different if everyone can know how much everyone else makes already.
posted by momus_window at 7:41 AM on July 22, 2022 [2 favorites]

They pay the same, just for different things. More this less that. Guess I'm better at this than I am at that. Or they need another that more than they need a this? Wish me luck.
posted by zengargoyle at 8:01 AM on July 22, 2022 [1 favorite]

This kind of happened to me earlier this year. I updated my public title on LI to reflect a "promotion" that was really more responsibility, more reports, but not more money or a higher level internally.

I thought I set LI not to notify my network, but it did. People who said congrats publicly, I just said "thanks!" People who messaged me, I gave more information depending on my relationship with them.

From personal experience, not many people wanted the more details - they just wanted a "thanks!"

For the record, I have a new job with a new company now with a hefty salary increase. Time will tell if that was the right move - but TBH I wouldn't have been looking if the previous employer had given the (apparently) planned real promotion and salary bump at the same time I'd been given the increased responsibility, etc. or even a guaranteed timeline that I could plan against.

Employers / institutions have become far too comfortable trickling out raises and promotions after stacking on new responsibilities and expecting people to shoulder them for a while before realizing the benefits - if at all.
posted by jzb at 8:38 AM on July 22, 2022 [3 favorites]

It’s a congratulations on a new role; you don’t have to share anything about your rank or salary unless you really want to.

Definitely keep track of all the ways this is actually an increase in responsibilities over your last role so you can make a case for a bump up.
posted by kapers at 6:47 PM on July 22, 2022