Sittin Pretty

by Peaches
(Texas)

In our section, seniority has always been the practiced method of selecting shifts when a vacancy became available. However that changed with one recent new hire. Our job requires a 4 year degree whether it be criminal justice, science, or nursing. The new person was hired with a nursing degree and zero experience in the field to join a team of 9 others, half of who have been with the agency for 5+ years, with bachelors and even masters degrees. This new person's starting salary was started at the same level as an employee with 9 years at the agency and a masters degree. She also fast-tracked thru the seniority ranks to get a daylight shift with weekends off; a shift that EVERYONE covets and even the most senior people were not even able to choose. She has the same job title, does the same job duties, and does not perform at a superior level to any other person. This is condoned by the agency head simply because she is a nurse and for no other valid reason, even our supervisor openly admits it.

Response from Carl: Thanks for the submission, Peaches. It certainly does sound like favoritism based on what you mention above. Odd that your agency head and supervisor are both aware of this and yet seemingly have no explanation for all the perks that this person seems to have received over more senior people.

This sort of favoritism tends to not only result in animosity from the people who were overlooked but may also result in resentment for the person experiencing the favoritism, too.

If you and your colleagues are used to having seniority decide perks as you mention below, I'd think you would all deserve at least an explanation as to why the seniority rules aren't being followed for this individual.

Carl