I have a part time department manager job interview coming up. It’s for the evening. So I can probably make it work after my real job if I can get it. My current boss is hanging on to his position now. But sooner or later he will have to step down and reduce himself for part time because of his responsibilities outside of work. It’s becoming increasingly apparent that I will not get the promotion. My supervisor is extremely encouraging to me and I think he is trying to build me up for it. But I’m stuck in a paradox. I didn’t exactly have opportunities for promotions through most of my adult life. I had no plans to be working at this post as long as I have. My original plan was to use this job as a stepping stone to something better. But life has a funny way to subvert your plans. I got turned down for promotion. Because of my lack of management experience. But I need the management job to get the experience. Honestly it was for the best. I wasn’t ready for that kind of responsibility and leadership. And my boss now is the best I could have asked for. Seriously, I couldn’t have asked for a better boss. I’m proud to work for him. I could only hope to be like him.
But instead of being angry knowing I’m going to be passed over again. I decided to hunt down a manager position outside of my job to get me some experience to better qualify for it. I don’t think it’s really going to help that much. But at least I can go down swinging Rocky style. It’s a department manager position. About 4 hours in the evening. I will have time to get home and get some sleep. The money will help out to.
You might not like what you wish for. Here's my story.
In 1984 I commenced work in a local authority (city) traffic enforcement department. I was told on graduating that I should expect promotion to Sergeant in 6 years.
Five years later, after more than 18 months of regular relieving sergeant duties on the night shift, our local authority department was merged with the national (government) road policing department. Upon the merger I was told I would have to wait at least another 4 years before I was considered eligible for promotion. Within two years I transferred to a small country station for the lifestyle.
Three years after the merger we were merged with general police. promotion was based on an examination system. By then I was content with the lifestyle and only decided to study for promotion after a few more years on a dare (somebody told me to my face I wouldn't pass the exams. I have never gotten below a C+ in any exam in my life).
During the second year of study I transferred again, to a smaller town where I was the senior member of three. After a year or so I went back to my promotional studies, just to get them finished.
After six years in a three and then one person station, I was persuaded by my peers to apply for a sergeant position in a nearby 24 hour town. They wanted stability and someone who knew the system. For 6 years I ran a 24 hour section of staff, and for two of those years I oversaw another section that did not have a sergeant (four sergeants for five sections). My section was the highest performing and the other one I supervised was not far behind.
During my third year as a Sergeant a new Senior Sergeant (lieutenant level) arrived to run the station. He had a reputation for always having one staff member he was "performance managing" out of his unit. After getting rid of one older sergeant who had reached the previous retirement age (disestablished after a human rights law came into effect) that he thought was too old for the job, he turned his attention to me as he believed former road policing staff did not have what it took to be a general policing supervisor. This was despite 14 years of my then 21 years service having been in general policing.
For three years he made my life hell. My staff were still the highest performing section in the station, but every decision I made was the "wrong one". Eventually, after two serious assaults that along with my "performance management" had seriously dented my confidence, I decided I didn't need the stress so I negotiated a transfer at a lower rank back to road policing. For the first two years I had to travel 45 minutes (just over 40 miles) to another area, then I got transferred to Highway Patrol where I had my own allocated car and started/finished work from a near home station (a 6 minute commute on foot).
The last 12 years have been the most relaxing of my now 39 years plus career. For the first five years or so I would get regular phone calls from my staff with questions their new sergeants could not answer. Two of them made good sergeants themselves in my old station. The Senior Sergeant ended up resigning one step ahead of dismissal on a code of conduct matter.
I long ago accepted that i did not need the promotion to justify my existence. I actually earn
more than a sergeant 5-7 years in the position due to my length of service, and even more than a senior sergeant with 2 years service in the rank. And no stress.
I have three years before I reach retirement age, and if I pass the fitness test that year I can stay on another two years, double dipping my salary plus receiving national superannuation payments (social security).
I liked the rank, but in the end I didn't need it. I really like the lifestyle I now have.
