Employee demands boss demote his coworker so that he could take their job, coworker finds out but decides to do nothing about it: ‘I'm letting him sink himself’

Author image for Bar Mor Hazut
Bar Mor Hazut • Senior Editor
Jan 16, 2025 1:00 PM EST

We all want to move up in our line of work, it is only natural. We don't want to be stuck in the same position for our entire lives, and we want to feel like we are moving forward with our professional aspirations. Granted, it doesn't have to be an actual promotion, as we all measure our development in different ways, but the important thing is that we feel satisfied and content with where we are at any given moment.

That being said, moving up in our careers cannot happen without proving ourselves, especially if we have bosses looking at our every move. Being a leader, a team player, and showing determination and the ability to think outside the box are just a handful of examples of what we need to do to prove that we are worthy of a promotion or another step up the company ladder.

The sad reality is, that not everyone can prove themselves that way, and maybe are unable to take that step toward the direction they are aiming for. Does that still mean they should fight for an opportunity at any cost? The story down below might prove that there are some lines one should not cross, no matter how badly they think they deserve to move up.

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  • "He made a presentation about taking my job"
    via kasto

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • "Coworker made a power point to my boss about taking my position"

    Honestly this has never happened to me in my life. It feels surreal. Sorry, English is not my first language.
    via Right_Lie8793
  • I've been working with this man for two years. In the position I'm currently working, our jobs compliment each other and he's supposed to be one of
    via Right_Lie8793
  • the people I work with that I should trust the most. A year ago our company put us both on an important role as a tandem.
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  • After six months, they decided to keep me at that role but put him in a more technical position, but we were still at the same level. Now, at the start of the
    via Right_Lie8793
  • year my company has made official that they want to keep me in the role and I'd also be above him. He just made a power point with things that should
    via Right_Lie8793
  • improve in our team (some of which I agree and already presented a plan today in front of our team, which had been approved already by the c-suite) and
    via Right_Lie8793
  • a suggestion that he should be in my position and I should be demoted to a job I've done before because we need help in that at this very moment,
    via Right_Lie8793
  • because he wants to fire the woman who's currently doing it (now I kinda understand why is he being so pushy at it). I was honestly shocked as I
    via Right_Lie8793
  • usually trust this person a lot, but I've been seeing lately that he tends to put blame on others when things fail and has been actually causing tension
    via Right_Lie8793
  • within our team and other cross teams. I'm wondering if he has been speaking or will be speaking bad things about me just as he does with others.
    via Right_Lie8793
  • I'd just ignore it and roll my eyes, but I'm wondering if I should do something else beside speak to my boss about it. I've honestly never had this happen to me in
    via Right_Lie8793
  • my life, I usually tend to have good relationships with people I work with and tend to be respectful and respected.
    via Right_Lie8793

  • Stepping on coworkers' toes in order to move up is a method many employees try to take, but it is not recommended. Mostly because once you try to ‘sabotage’ other employees for your own benefit, it usually does not play in your favor. As mentioned above, being a team player is one of the most important things employees should do to prove their worth. If they are doing the exact opposite, they might not be ready for a step up at all, much like the coworker here.

  • Fit_Delay3241 Where was this PowerPoint show and who saw it besides you? You need to talk to your bosses and possibly HR about this before he starts spreading rumors about you.
    via Fit_Delay3241
  • Clearly the company leadership saw you as the best fit for leadership and for him to make something like that and present it (!) Is undermining their leadership decisions, which is not ok.
    via Fit_Delay3241
  • Right_Lie8793 OP He put it in a conversation with me and two c-suites and a team lead of our team. My direct boss, one of the c- suites, just responded at it saying we should discuss a
    via Right_Lie8793
  • specific point he made (about a new hire we are looking for) but she didn't mention anything else about the presentation. I just told her I was surprised he did the
    via Right_Lie8793
  • presentation and she told me she was surprised too. We couldn't talk more today but I'd like to discuss it tomorrow. I haven't told him anything yet.
    via Right_Lie8793
  • 000
    via Gajus

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • Fit_Delay3241 Tomorrow tell her that you had time to think about it and that you found the presentation inappropriate and demeaning and felt really uncomfortable. Ask her what she thought and how you can address this with HR.
    via Fit_Delay3241
  • Right_Lie8793 OP Thank you, I think I will
    via Right_Lie8793
  • stuuuuupidstupid What an insane display of a lack of emotional intelligence. No wonder he was moved to a technical focused position
    via stuuuuupidstupid
  • Right_Lie8793 OP I think exactly the same. He's getting very abrasive lately but I didn't expect this.
    via Right_Lie8793
  • Brain WaveCC Speak to you boss about it. Based on what happens there, then plan next steps. Don't say anything to the coworker -- especially not
    via BrainWaveCC
  • without witnesses -- outside of the normal interactions you have had until the other discussions have been had. For now, don't worry about any talking behind your back that he's doing, and don't challenge him yet. He looks like he's burning down the castle around himself already.
    via BrainWaveCC
  • Right_Lie8793 OP My boss and I have a really good relationship, I think I'll wait, yeah. I thought I was being maybe passive about it but seeing the comments now I'm happy about my decision.
    via Right_Lie8793
  • on talking with my boss and not let it become a bigger thing than it should be, which is a tone deaf coworker that has no emotional intelligence (or that's what I feel right now, I'm pretty hurt).
    via Right_Lie8793
  • WhiteySC I think he will look like an idiot to your bosses and this action will assure them they made the right choice choosing you. I don't think you need to do anything. Let him sink himself.
    via WhiteySC
  • ejsandstrom This. I would also put that coworker on the "do not trust" list in your mental Rolodex.
    via ejsandstrom
  • Right_Lie8793 OP The thought now is definitely there! Thanks
    via Right_Lie8793

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terrible coworkers promotion boss workplace-stories employee manager job tales-from-the-workplace coworkers reddit story overworked-employees workplace Reddit company
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