Unqualified 25-year-old new hire scores promotion over the woman who trained her, company doubles down when confronted: “Favoritism is flushing her entire career down the drain”

Author image for Ely Bulnes
Ely Bulnes • Writer and Editor
Apr 30, 2025 3:00 PM EDT

For many, work is like a second home. It sounds like something an aloof CEO would have on his or her work mug, but it's unfortunately true. We all spend a huge chunk of our time at work. Thus, it is important to feel comfortable there. Just like you have to maintain a healthy dyanmic with your family when you live with them, keeping things cool and chill with your coworkers is essential. Similarly, feeling safe and secure at home is one of everyone human's basic needs, and having that security at work is necessary to be able to do your job diligently.

In our story today, a woman decides to leave the company she has dedicated several years to. She's going to work for her brother instead, who is offering a better salary and way more perks than her current job. On top of that, her brother would never think to promote an unqualified new hire to a management position instead of her (or any other candidate with a great resume). Read all about it by scrolling down. 

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  • 01

    My wife forced quit her job after they gave her trainee her promotion

    Cheezburger Image 10499261440
    via pixelshot

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 02
    I (36m) and my wife (28f), let's just call her 'K', are high-level professionals in our field. We have put in close to a decade of training, education, and experience from all over the world into our careers and have stellar reputations and respect from some big to-do names in our industry.
    via u/New_direction2025
  • 03
    At K's job, a rare opportunity to move up the corporate ladder opened up. Naturally, she applied. She has been a part of this company for over 2 years, as a leader, mentor to the younger
    via u/New_direction2025
  • 04
    generations entering the field, and will often even take on extra work to help the team, when necessary. K has also been attending online school to finish up her dream-degree, at the same time. We have 2 kids and spend regular time with them, on a daily basis.
    via u/New_direction2025
  • 05
    About 6 months ago, K got a job offer from her brother's company, offering her a higher salary, flexible schedule, travel plus expenses, and more. The position is not in her field, but she does excel at it. K informed her current employer of the offer to
    via u/New_direction2025
  • 06
    which her team manager begged her not to take it, as opportunities would be arising at her current job, soon. Being the loyal and passionate person my wife is, she stayed. And low and behold, only a few months later, a rare management role opened up.
    via u/New_direction2025
  • 07
    000
    via Salang889

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 08
    The position opened up suddenly and was a surprise to everyone, as this role is one people tend to hang on to, for many many years. The best part; K was a shoe-in. She has the most seniority on her team, she wildly out-ranks even the current management team
    via u/New_direction2025
  • 09
    in terms of certifications and credentials, and she has been recognized repeatedly as an outstanding employee and team-member. This promotion is highly coveted and so, naturally, many of the internal team and external applicants submitted their resumes.
    via u/New_direction2025
  • 10
    Approximately 7 months ago, a new girl was hired to the team. Let's call her B (25f). B is new the industry, this job being her first real experience in this field. Her degree has absolutely nothing to do with what
    via u/New_direction2025
  • 11
    my wife does at her job. B has earned a reputation with starting clicks and groups that shun others, and badmouth teammates and management. While she does her job well, she has created rifts between the team to the point that it feels like a mafia.
    via u/New_direction2025
  • 12
    For those asking, I used to be on the same team and witnessed this first-hand, before I left to pursue my own venture and to ensure that I wasn't going to get in my wife's way for a promotion. My separation was proper, friendly, and I left with a glowing recommendation from both the team and HR.
    via u/New_direction2025
  • 13
    rife IN
    via nortonrsx

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 14
    B decided to apply for the management position, even though she doesn't meet the positions listed qualifications which include: • 2+ years of experience in the field (B got her training last year)
    via u/New_direction2025
  • 15
    Over 1 year of experience on a similar team (B only joined the team this past fall and before that was a school teacher) • Experience a trainer and instructor (Bs credentials fall short and only qualify her to be an assistant to an instructor)
    via u/New_direction2025
  • 16
    After 2 weeks of interviews, and several qualified candidates. K got the news that she didn't get the position. Which, while disappointed, reassured me that one of the external hires must have a fantastic resume and previous management-level experience.
    via u/New_direction2025
  • 17
    But thar wasn't the case. They gave the job to B. Undercutting more than a dozen qualified candidates, including K. My wife was beside herself. She had trained B since day 1.
    via u/New_direction2025

  • What a disaster. They essentially let her go by not promoting her, knowing that she had a better option available at her brother's company. 

  • 18
    K called her team leader, the same guy who begged her to stay, and asked what was going on. And all he did was get mad at her for being upset. When she asked how B qualified for the position, her manager grew stern and said, "Well, she does. I don't know what to tell you."
    via u/New_direction2025
  • 19
    The thing is, the Training credentials are accessible to anyone in the field. We can see that she doesn't meet the position requirements.
    via u/New_direction2025
  • 20
    When K pointed this out, her manager sternly yelled, "Listen, I can tell you are upset and I don't want to do this over the phone. So, why don't you think about this over the next week and we can talk more when I get back from my cruise." To which he then promptly hung-up.
    via u/New_direction2025
  • 21
    K's phone began exploding with calls and texts from the team, other teams and their leaders within the company, shocked and offended at this turn of events.
    via u/New_direction2025
  • 22
    K later received an email from the district manager offering to meet and talk, in lieu of the team manager. But the district manager offered no answers and told her that, "We made our decision based on a number of factors."
    via u/New_direction2025
  • 23
    Since then, B has been shutting K out of meetings, turning younger team-mayes against her, talking poorly behind her back and setting her up for failure time and time again. And every time K brings attention to it, she is dismissed and admonished for not getting along with the new manager.
    via u/New_direction2025
  • 24
    Luckily, K's brother still had the job available and she is taking it. She is informing her current job this week that she will be leaving at the end of this month.
    via u/New_direction2025
  • 25
    JOB APPLICATION APPLICANT INFORMATION RESUME CAREER OBJECTIVE An employment opportunity in a Business Development related fiel SUN Acc JOB APPLICATION APPLICANT INFORMATION By Phone Postion Applied for First ML Date Apartment/Unit ZOP Emal Address Social Security No Desired Salary Are you a den of the United States NO are you authored to work in the US? YES NO Have you ever worked for this company? NO Have you ever been convicted of a felony? NO ye explain on d
    via everydayplus

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 26
    Is there anything she can do? Or do all of her years of hard work, dedication, and training mean nothing and she just has to sk it up that some weird favoritism is flushing her entire career down the drain?
    via u/New_direction2025

  • I can't help but wonder if there is some Nepo baby hijinks afoot here. Maybe she's not directly related to a higher-up, but maybe she's a friend of a friend… 

  • 27
    EventOk7702 If I was her and already had another job, I wouldn't bother showing up ever again let alone staying a whole month.
    via u/EventOk7702
  • 28
    Legitimate_Sink1856 I would do the very same. I really wouldn't show them the grace of showing up for the next month like they had no manners or grace while talking to her.
    via u/Legitimate_Sink1856
  • 29
    Just explain "it is what it is" and she needs to move on now. Another company values her expertise greatly and she needs to go where she is valued.
    via u/Legitimate_Sink1856
  • 30
    Dont answer the phone to them, don't help them out with unfinished work. Just take her freedom and be happy to get away from a workplace that shows no loyalty. Also something smells really off about all of this.
    via u/Legitimate_Sink1856
  • 31
    PeggyOnThePier Op is B getting less money ?Maybe this is the reason for the company's ridiculous move. There is no more loyalty left within the corporate world anymore. Good luck to your wife in her new job.
    via u/PeggyOnThePier
  • 32
    New_direction2025 OP There was another comment suggesting that very idea. K and I talked about it and it is very possible. Thank you!
    via u/New_direction2025
  • 33
    cmpalm Honestly I don't think there is anything she can do, clearly something is going on in the background she doesn't know about and it sounds fishy. She's doing the best thing she can do and leaving the situation because it will only get worse. They'll figure out their mistake pretty quick when she's gone.
    via u/cmpalm
  • 34
    New_direction2025 OP Oh I know they well. All of the experienced team members are lining up for HR meetings over the next several weeks and have been calling me and our peers for other opportunities. They really set fire to the ant hill, with this one.
    via u/New_direction2025
  • 35
    Professional-Belt708 Yep, the other team members should put every effort into jumping ship so that it sinks without your wife and them as B steers it into the rocks
    via u/Professional-Belt708
  • 36
    wonder-winter-89 So she's leaving Wednesday? I think she played it perfectly. She got a great job and she's leaving behind a clearly toxic company. Good on your wife. It all worked out the way it needed to and here's the lifelong lesson- never accept the counter offer from your current position. I have never seen it end well for anyone.
    via u/wonder-winter-89
  • 37
    MissTenEars Once her new job is set in stone the action she should take is to be as loyal to them as they were to her. Walk into work Monday, pack her stuff and say she hopes her boss enjoyed his vaca and leave.
    via u/MissTenEars
  • 38
    Absolutely no reason to stay on. 'Right thing to do' does not apply in this case. Take a few days, do something relaxing anf fun and start the new job fresh and relaxed and APPRECIATED! Good luck!
    via u/MissTenEars

Tags

corporate marriage employee toxic-workplace Female Empowerment Professional At Work coworkers i quit wife relationships husband workplace Horrible Bosses family girlboss
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