I wasn’t given the chance to apply for an internal job

http://www.theguardian.com/money/2015/jan/23/no-chance-to-apply-for-position

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Twice a week we publish problems that will feature in a forthcoming Dear Jeremy advice column in the Saturday Guardian so that readers can offer their own advice and suggestions. We then print the best of your comments alongside Jeremy’s own insights. Here is the latest dilemma – what are your thoughts?

I have been working in a team of three since 2012. In early 2014, my manager left the company and one of my teammates was reassigned to another role. There was pressure from the management not to increase headcount and I covered all the work by myself. This coincided with my wife’s long maternity leave (in another country), and I was able to work 12 to 14 hours every day to ensure we met deadlines and help the smooth running of the team. Six months on and out of nowhere, my “covering” manager has “appointed” a manager to become my manager. The role was not discussed with me at all. It wasn’t advertised in our internal or external recruitment page. And I was not offered any opportunity to progress into the role which I would fit perfectly.

Can I ask, are there any legal grounds for me to take this further?

Do you need advice on a work issue? For Jeremy’s and readers’ help, send a brief email to dear.jeremy@theguardian.com. Please note that he is unable to answer questions of a legal nature or to reply personally.