Ask Ash

Dear Ash

I have dedicated much time and effort to my current role and in particular in supporting my line manager. However, I have been left somewhat despondent by the fact that he chose not to promote me when he had the opportunity recently. Instead I was awarded an insignificant pay rise. I am beginning to wonder whether I should focus my efforts into looking for new employment as I do not feel my efforts are being adequately recognised.

Ash replies:

You may understandably be disheartened by recent events at work, but rather than make a rash decision about moving jobs, I think it would be more advisable for you to question the reasoning behind the lack of promotion. This way you could then make a more informed decision about your future at the firm.

I therefore suggest that you request a meeting with your line manager in order to discuss your recent efforts, and rather than seeming bitter about your lack of promotion, it would be better for you to positively highlight all your recent good work and to query how you can build upon this in order to achieve future promotion. This way you should be able to gain insight as to what was lacking this time round in your efforts in trying to attain promotion. You may also be able to agree a time line with your manager for working your way towards promotion. Remember you may feel that you are ready for promotion, but your manager may disagree and there may be justifiable reasons for this.

If you still feel despondent after your meeting then you may wish to consider looking for alternative employment. However, moving jobs may not necessarily be the solution either and it may therefore be better to stick with the status quo for now, at least for a limited time in order to see what develops, especially with the current volatile status of the jobs market.

Send your queries to Ash

“Ash” is a solicitor who is willing to answer work-related queries from solicitors and trainees, which can be put to her via the editor: peter@connectcommunications.co.uk, or mail to Studio 2001, Mile End, Paisley PA1 1JS. Confidence will be respected and any advice published will be anonymised.

Please note that letters to Ash are not received at the Law Society of Scotland. The Society offers a support service for trainees through its Registrar’s Department. For one-to-one advice contact Katie Wood, Manager in the Registrar’s Department on 0131 476 8105/8200, or katiewood@lawscot.org.uk