Got denied a promotion because I “make it look too easy”

I work in a city records office boring stuff, scanning documents, updating databases, helping people find old permits. Been doing it for almost 4 years. I know all the weird little systems and backdoors to get things done faster.

Recently a promotion opened up nothing huge, but more pay, more autonomy, fewer walk-ins. I applied. I was easily the most senior person eligible. I’ve trained the last two new hires, I troubleshoot for my own manager, and I’m the one they call when the system crashes.

Interview went fine. But I didn't get it.

When I asked why, my manager actually said:
“You’re so efficient in your current role that we’d struggle to replace you. You make it look too easy.”

So basically, because I’m good at my job, I’m not allowed to grow?

They gave the role to someone who just joined 6 months ago. I’ve been answering her questions every other day.

Now I’m stuck pretending I care about tasks I could do in my sleep, watching someone I trained get the better desk and the higher pay. Cool.

I’m not quitting. Not staging a rebellion. I’m just here. Clocking in. Doing exactly what's asked. No more, no less.

Turns out the reward for competence is invisibility.

Jobadvisor:

Wow, that's a tough pill to swallow. It sounds incredibly frustrating to be penalized for your efficiency and expertise. You've essentially become a victim of your own success in their eyes, which is completely backward.

It's understandable that you're feeling demotivated and just going through the motions. It's hard to pour your energy into a role when you feel your contributions aren't valued or recognized in a meaningful way. Seeing someone you trained get the promotion must feel like a real slap in the face.

You're right, it does seem like the reward for your competence is invisibility, and that's a really insightful and frankly, disheartening observation.

So, you're staying put for now. That's a decision, and it's valid. What are your thoughts on what this "just clocking in" phase looks like for you in the long run? Is this a temporary holding pattern, or are you considering other options down the line, even if quitting isn't on the table right now?

My mom makes a company a MILLON DOLLARS a year and doesn’t get commission. She is the only one in the position.

Hey everyone, I wanted to share a situation about my mom. She’s a divorced woman who works at a wedding venue and is incredibly good at her job. She mainly handles sales and goes above and beyond—often working 5 to 7 days a week. The company hasn’t provided her with a work phone, so she gives brides her personal number and stays available around the clock to help them.

Thanks to her dedication and flexibility, she’s been able to offer tours at all hours and has doubled the venue’s revenue. This year alone, she has booked 55 weddings, with each wedding bringing in about $8,500 just for the venue rental.

But it doesn’t stop there—she also upsells catering and floral packages for each event. On average, catering brings in $200,000 per wedding, and the floral services bring in another $100,000, all largely due to her efforts in closing those sales. That’s tens of millions in revenue she’s generating annually.

Despite working 48 to 50 hours a week, she’s not paid overtime, receives no commission, and only recently had her hourly wage increased from $25 to $30. It just doesn’t seem right for someone producing this level of value.

She loves her work, but I truly feel she’s being taken advantage of. Does anyone have advice on what steps she could take next, whether it’s legally, professionally, or even looking elsewhere?

Jobadvisor:

Wow, your mom sounds like an absolute powerhouse! It's definitely understandable why you feel she's being taken advantage of – those numbers are incredible, and her dedication is clearly driving massive revenue for the venue. It's a tough situation when someone loves their job but isn't being compensated fairly for their immense contributions.

Here are a few avenues your mom could explore:

1. Professionally - Document and Quantify Her Impact (Even More):

• Detailed Records: While you've provided some fantastic figures, encourage her to keep even more granular records for a month or two. This could include:
  • Number of inquiries she handles.
  • Conversion rates from inquiry to booking.
  • Specific examples of how her flexibility (e.g., late-night tours) directly led to bookings.
  • Time spent on various tasks (sales, coordination, problem-solving).
  • Client testimonials or positive feedback that specifically mention her efforts.
• Calculate Total Revenue Generated: Break down the annual revenue she directly influences:
  • Venue rental: 55 weddings * $8,500/wedding = $467,500
  • Catering: 55 weddings * $200,000/wedding = $11,000,000
  • Floral: 55 weddings * $100,000/wedding = $5,500,000
  • Total Estimated Revenue: $467,500 + $11,000,000 + $5,500,000 = $16,967,500 (This is even higher than your initial million-dollar estimate, highlighting her immense value!)
• Research Industry Standards: Look into what sales managers or event coordinators at similar high-end wedding venues typically earn in your area or comparable markets. Websites like Glassdoor, Salary.com, and LinkedIn can offer some insights. Also, research typical commission structures in the events industry.

2. Professionally - Initiate a Conversation with Management:

• Prepare a Strong Case: Armed with the data above, she can schedule a formal meeting with the owner or upper management. The conversation should focus on her contributions and the discrepancy between her performance and compensation.
• Focus on Value and ROI: Instead of framing it as a complaint, she can present it as a business case for rewarding her efforts. Highlight how her dedication directly translates to increased profits for the company.
• Propose a Fair Compensation Structure: Based on her research, she could propose a salary increase that reflects her responsibilities and the market rate, and strongly advocate for a commission structure on the total revenue she generates (venue, catering, floral). Even a small percentage could significantly increase her earnings and would be a direct incentive for continued high performance.
• Negotiate Benefits: If a significant salary increase or commission isn't immediately on the table, she could negotiate other benefits like a dedicated work phone, paid time off, professional development opportunities, or even a bonus structure tied to achieving certain revenue targets.

3. Legally - Understand Her Rights:

• Overtime Pay: Given she's working 48-50 hours a week, it's crucial to understand the labor laws in Romania regarding overtime pay. Generally, employees are entitled to overtime pay for hours worked beyond the standard workweek (usually 40 hours). There might be exemptions depending on her specific role and employment contract, but it's worth investigating. She could consult with a local labor law professional to understand her rights.
• Employment Contract: Review her employment contract carefully. Does it specify her job duties, working hours, and compensation structure? While a contract can be amended, understanding the existing terms is important.
• Documentation of Hours: Encourage her to keep accurate records of her working hours, including start and end times, especially if she believes she should be receiving overtime pay.

4. Professionally - Explore Other Opportunities:

• Update Her Resume and Network: Even if she loves her current job, exploring other options can provide leverage in negotiations. A well-crafted resume highlighting her achievements (quantifying her impact with the numbers you shared would be powerful) and networking within the events industry could reveal opportunities that offer fairer compensation.
• Consider Similar Venues or Event Planning Companies: Her experience and proven track record would make her a highly valuable asset to competitors.
• Think About Consulting: With her level of expertise, she could even consider starting her own event planning or venue consulting business down the line.

Key Takeaways for Your Mom:

• Her value is undeniable. The numbers speak for themselves.
• It's okay to advocate for fair compensation. Loving her job doesn't mean she shouldn't be paid what she's worth.
• She has options. Whether it's negotiating within her current company or exploring new opportunities, she has the power to make a change.

It's wonderful that you're so supportive of your mom. Encourage her to take these steps, and offer your help in researching industry standards or reviewing any documents. She deserves to be recognized and rewarded for her incredible hard work and the massive success she's bringing to the venue.