I was told by my management team that they will not allow me to move from my current role even though it would be a promotion. They said that I am needed in my current role and will not grant me the ability to move positions. Is anyone else running into this? I thought they couldn't stop someone from applying.
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Does Ford HR give a script to LL6+ on what to say?
I was told the exact same thing - "You are too valuable for us in this team". Exact. Freaking. Thing.
Later on, the max they were open to was another team under the same LL3. That was more of the same, so I politely refused. I wanted a change of jobs, not managers. My manager is great, which is an extremely rare thing at Ford.
BTW this site has been a great find for me for "insider" and "been there done that" takes. So thanks all posters!
The problem at Ford is the more you know, the worse your career will be. Majority of management were promoted based on politics, "diversity", and friends/ family. The only way to get ahead is to hide how smart you are and speak in word salad buzzword sentences without really saying anything. The more detailed you are, the more management shuts down and places you on their potential threat list. This all said, if you are really a smart person, even if you can navigate and get promoted, you will be even more miserable having to deal with the next level of snakes.
@4obo - you're perfectly providing another piece of evidence that the entire LL5 layer of management is totally non-value-added and should be eliminated.
Agree with previous poster. Stay true to yourself and your values, even when Ford does not appreciate you / blocks your growth opportunities. Apply to other companies and when the right opportunity comes along, leave Ford.
Many people become bitter when they realize Ford does not care about skilled technical employees, and then become part of the problem by coasting, loafing and sabotaging others.
There is no upside to the bitterness, just pretend you don’t know managements game and exit when it is convenient for you.
The most hilarious thing I observed was a hard working tech spec who quietly carried his team for 20 years. The LL5s never allowed him to apply for other positions. The year he was going to retire he started speaking his mind and stopped doing everyone else’s work, offering to teach them how to do their jobs instead. The LL5 was furious as everything ground to a halt and he looked bad to his superiors. The LL5 put him on the layoff list. He got SRD, a nice severance check and pension as he had his 30 years in. Funny thing is the LL5 still thinks he was got even with the tech spec. LOL
If you are that valuable then that means your value will be recognized at a different company. The day of working for a company for 30+ years for pension and benefits has died long ago. My advice is to recognize your value. Say nothing and simply interview for a different/ better opportunity elsewhere. Then once your new opportunity is obtained provide your notice and leave (w/o breaking your back to train your replacement because that is not your job) Take control of your own career. You will be better compensated, fulfilled and will have a happier life. Good Luck
Yes, I recall in 2017 when Marketing & Purchasing were offered 18 months' salary. But PD & ME were not allowed. They were deemed critical. Ironic fast forward to the last two years you finally see what they (senior management) really think of you.
This idea of blocking people has been going on for years. I do not see it changing anytime soon. The nice thing about today it is easier to walk away from Ford than let's say 30 years ago with a GRP. Ford will downsize its market share dwindles by the day. As soon a F-Series falls game over. No matter what Bill or Jim say 90+% of company profits come from one platform. There are no Rangers or Explorers making money like the 90s. Borrowed time.
I was told the same exact thing. "You cannot move, you're too valuable". After being told this and rejected from moving forward after applying to another role, Several times, I'm just going to look at other prospects elsewhere.
The company is too focused on chasing Tesla and it's perceived value than actually providing value itself. Ford only cares about quality and warranty once it starts hitting their pockets and or the news.
Any concerns or valid issues are swept under the rug and pushed to the side until it starts causing large warranty or recall spend. When something does blow up, then they freak out and act as if they knew nothing and continue this trend day after day, issue after issue.
If you talk to HR about anything, assume they relay everything to your management. This includes if you report the most egregious violations of company policy. You are better off:
- Saying nothing
- Reporting outside the company (to personal lawyer or govt. agency).
- Quitting (plus either 1 or 2).
When I was a GSR, I was blocked from taking a LL6 promotion by my management. 12 years later, after changing departments, I finally got an LL6 after my supervisor retired and I applied for his job.
My original hire date was in 1996 and the whole-time management/supervisor has always, always had the final say when it comes to employee moves. Now is even more difficult given they are trying to get rid of engineering and move who ever might fit into the hardware and software side of the business.
Be careful about speaking your mind on the 360 feedback. Your supervisor will try to figure out who is giving bad feedback and retaliate. They are really good at dirty tricks.
A lot of times jobs are posted with somebody already in mind for that job. It's just part of company process to advertise the job and go through the motions before hiring that person. Don't waste your time applying because you will not get it.
Or else it's just a fake opening to make others think the company is growing. That happens too.
It could be your manager is trying to protect you from applying for a job you will not get.
Sorry, but it is true - an L5 can ( and they do) block people all the time from leaving an area…..and it is their right to do so. Best strategy is to make nice with the L5 to secure your ability to go somewhere else.! Even if your L6 supports you leaving, their L5 can block you. Good Luck!
@spl+1ehP9kkB is spot on.
This company is extremely retaliatory. HR and management both equally.
Look at the "speak up" system. It is impossible to report anything anonymously. And by default, if you do speak up, they then know you and will punish you. No if ands or buts about it.
Sadly it is a routine experience at Ford.
Over 25 years I was blocked from every Jobs online position I wanted to apply for.
I was one of those who was always a Top Achiever and always expanding my skills and knowledge. Each time I wanted to apply for a new position I was told, you cannot apply you are too valuable in your current position, ask again next year. At the same time the loafers on my team were allowed to apply for other positions, including promotional positions.
Those advising that they should speak with HR are misguided. HR sided with management 20 years straight. I was lucky enough to find a job with another company that appreciates me and provides me with continual growth opportunities. Better pay, better coworkers, better management. Win Win Win for me. Too bad so sad for Ford.
Lots of opportunities out there right now. Call GM. They'll hire you.
I recall hearing that a manager can only block you once, maybe twice at very most. I would expect that for being blocked to actually count you have to actually apply for the slot and have them block it. Without a paper trail to stop them you're management chain will continue to walk all over you.
On the other hand, if you're so vitally needed for the current role they should be making sure to throw extra money at you for your annual merit adjustment. If they don't, it makes it clear they're abusing you rather than valuing you. Good luck!
Yes, they can block you. It’s happened to many of my friends. I would not consult with HR. HR will tell your supervisor or manager and they will retaliate even though they aren’t supposed to. HR is there to protect the company, not help you. You can either make the best of your current position or leave the company. Sorry to say this, but it’s the truth.
It's generally true that they "should" not be able to block you from a promotional opportunity. They can and do block people from lateral moves all the time.
Either one is still BS. But I would consult with your HR business partner and ask them for guidance and confirm whether or not a promotional opportunity can actually be blocked. But since your current supervisors will certainly be consulted, I would be civil.