Q: Can being overlooked for a promotion due to lack of a degree be considered discrimination?
I have worked for my company for 20 years and applied for an internal manager position. Despite being a seasoned leader, the company hired an outside candidate with a degree. I am currently back in college and feel unfairly overlooked as the company has previously promoted individuals without degrees to similar positions. After raising my concerns with HR, I received limited feedback. Could this situation be considered discrimination?
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A:
It’s understandable that you feel overlooked, especially with your extensive experience and leadership within the company. However, being passed over for a promotion due to a lack of a degree doesn’t automatically qualify as discrimination. Companies often set specific qualifications for positions, and while it may seem unfair, they might prioritize formal education over experience in certain cases.
That said, if the company has previously promoted individuals without a degree to similar positions, and your qualifications are similar or better than those individuals, this could raise concerns about inconsistent treatment. You should consider whether the company's hiring practices are being applied fairly across all candidates or if there may be other factors at play, such as age, gender, or race, which could constitute discrimination if they influenced the decision.
Since you’ve raised the issue with HR and received limited feedback, you might want to ask for a more detailed explanation of the decision. This can help clarify whether the lack of a degree is truly the deciding factor or if there are other reasons. If you believe the decision was based on unfair or discriminatory practices, you could consider seeking legal advice to explore your options.
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