Poll Results: What’s Keeping You from a Promotion?

Save Money at WorkLast month we conducted a Movin’ On Up poll asking readers why they think they haven’t received a promotion.

What Employees Say

Just under 28% said it was because of favoritism, while 12% said there just weren’t any positons to promote to.

“Other” took up 13% of the vote, with users submitting answers including “haven’t asked for one,” and “I’m a temporary employee.” Some cited “age discrimination” or “it’s a boy’s club” being the problem.

Twelve percent believed their boss was jealous of them, while 11% noted their companies can’t currently afford promotions. Eight percent blamed coworkers for sabotaging them, while 5% said they simply hadn’t been at the company very long. Four percent don’t think they are experienced enough for a promotion.

But what about the other side? What are managers thinking when they pass on promoting an employee? Is favoritism really that big of a factor?

What Employers Say

In a 2016 CareerBuilder Survey, employers were asked a series of questions regarding what makes an employee less likely to get a promotion.

Responses ranged from physical (44% were against provocative attire, while 43% couldn’t stand a shabby appearance), to behavioral (62% were against a negative or pessimistic attitude or regularly showing up to work late, while 49% took offense at regularly leaving work early or taking too many sick days). Thirty-nine percent didn’t like employees spending office time on personal social media accounts, while 27% were triggered by initiating non-work related conversations with coworkers.

In the end, there was a huge list of reasons why employers were unlikely to promote employees. And those are just the reasons that have nothing to do with performance.

What We Say

What does this mean for employees? You may not ever know why your employer isn’t promoting you. Maybe they really do favor others. Maybe it’s your goatee. It could even be something silly like the way you laugh. Or it could really be performance-related.

If you truly feel you’re ready for a promotion and your work ethic is outstanding, you only have one option—asking your manager for a promotion. If it doesn’t go through, ask why. And if you think their reasoning is flawed, or it isn’t something you can or are willing to change, be ready to move on.

How have you dealt with not receiving a promotion? Let us know in the comments section below!

 

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