Company plans to fire boss, employee feels conflicted about interviewing for his job: 'My boss is the whole reason I'm even in this position'

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Ally Perry • Writer and Editor
Sep 3, 2026 12:00 PM EDT

Is it ever ethical to take the job of the manager who got you your role in the first place?

Good managers can be a rare breed, so it is important to count your blessings when you experience one. While it may be unwise to think of them as your friend, they make an employee's working life significantly easier if they are doing their job properly. They are the type who you don't always fully appreciate at the time, but if somebody bad replaces them, you can bet that you will feel the difference. 

Just because a boss is competent in their role doesn't mean that they will stick around forever, whether that is because they have decided to transition or the company has decided that they are no longer needed. As an employee, it is important to be ready for this change, which can be destabilizing. You never know what might come next at work, and it might even get to a point where you are expected to fill their role. While this can sometimes be an honor and a welcome next step, there are times when this may be more of a dilemma than you want it to be.

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  • An employee and her boss work at opposite desks, with her pushing her chair towards him as he shows her something on a clipboard.
    via Getty Images (Unsplash+)

    An employee and her boss work at opposite desks, with her pushing her chair towards him as he shows her something on a clipboard. Stock photography for depiction only.
     

  • An employee felt torn when they were told that their manager was going to be replaced, and they were being evaluated as a potential candidate. If they got the job, it would come with a substantial salary increase.

    However, they also didn't want to be disloyal to their boss, who was the reason that they had a job at the company and who had mentored them to the best of his ability throughout. They were struggling with working alongside him while knowing that he had no knowledge of his impending lay off.

  • My company wants me to interview for my boss's job before they fire him?

    I got pulled into a meeting with our director and HR this week and was basically told they're planning to replace my manager. He has no idea.
    via SheepherderOk4636
  • They asked if I'd be interested in his position and said they would rather promote internally than bring someone new in. It would take me from $78k to around $112k and would probably be the biggest career jump I've had.
    via SheepherderOk4636
  • The problem is my boss is the whole reason I'm even in this position. He hired me when I didn't have much experience, pushed for my last raise and has backed me up multiple times when things went wrong.
    via SheepherderOk4636

  • The employee was left with a significant dilemma.

    HR specifically told me not to discuss the conversation with him because nothing has been formally announced yet. Now I'm sitting across from this guy in meetings every day while he's talking about plans for the next quarter and I already know there's a decent chance he won't even be here for them.
    via SheepherderOk4636
  • Would taking the job be normal career self preservation or am I basically helping them push out the person who helped build my career?
    via SheepherderOk4636
  • An employee sits at a desk holding a coffee cup as her boss sits opposite her, explaining something while working on his laptop.
    via Getty Images (Unsplash+)

    An employee sits at a desk holding a coffee cup as her boss sits opposite her, explaining something while working on his laptop. Model portrayal.

  • People thought that the employee should take the opportunity.

    Delilah Thorpe It's sad but it will either be you or someone else. They won't keep him regardless. Don't feel guilty, there's nothing you can do to save him. Go for it.
    via DelilahThorpe
  • Some-Key-6222 An advice I will give you is that no matter your history and good relations with your colleague, you should not treat it as a friendship.
    via Some-Key-6222
  • It's a 44% raise, which is nice, but what worries me is the calculation that the company is doing. Your boss sounds like someone who is not an underperformer. So I'm left to wonder why they're firing him. Especially if they're consulting with you to make a smooth
    via Some-Key-6222
  • transition. Why? Couldn't they do that either way? The numbers aren't that bad that they'd need to confirm you're aligned beforehand. I'd understand if they're rotating him somewhere else, or if he's getting a promotion. But whatever is happening to him now may
    via Some-Key-6222
  • happen to you in the future. If he's just getting fired for whatever reason, that's very bad for your prospects in the company regardless of what you decide.
    via Some-Key-6222

  • They had to be aware of the ramifications.

    Arisia 118 Take it but save all that extra money. Good chance you'll meet the same fate. If he's a stand up guy like you describe and they are dumping him, they could very well do that to you.
    via Arisia118
  • TheSmalesKid Do it. And start looking quietly.
    via TheSmalesKid
  • SCaliber If I was your manager, did all of that for you, and had a genuinely good time working with you, Id want you to take it. You weren't the reason for the firing
    via SCaliber

  • It was important to be strategic.

    H3adshotfox77 I would honestly be open with the company that you would like to take the position but would also like to know the reason behind his termination so you can prevent making the same mistake once I'm the position.
    via H3adshotfox77
  • If the reason is legit and you just had no clue (this is likely) then you will know their expectations, if they won't explain, take the position anyways but look to move on.
    via H3adshotfox77

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