acting up duties - employment law question

Hello John

I'm guessing they can give the job to whoever they want providing the applicant has the relevant qualifications to carry out the job competently. I know it might sound a bit of a raw deal but just because you have been given a role in an acting capacity doesn't mean you will get it permanently. It happens all the time in the forces including the police service one month you'll be an acting police sergeant the next month you'll be rank and file... The good thing is normally the role is given permanently at a later date. Personally I would keep quiet about it rather than making a fuss and making a grievance complaint at this stage and see how things turn out... Though having just re-read your post, if as you say your sister has been in an acting role for 30 months I'd be inclined to ask her line managers how the reached their decisions.....

hi Barney

thanks for your reply,the acting role is a step up for people on long term leave or managers leaving, its not meant to be a long term appointment, also she was never given any help just left to get on with it, the NHS HAVE USED this role to save money and not advertised for anyone, t the roles have only just been advertised after 30 months,with UNISON Being so big in the hospital im surprised they haven't  said anything but thank you for your advise

Always hard when it's family, but there's normally two sides to every story. Maybe there was an actual reason, maybe its a qualification thing, but at the very least she should be told why and have some feedback/appraisal. As Barney says, if I was her I would be talking to her line manager, or booking a meeting.

If there's no answer or reason given, might be worth having a quiet chat with her UNISON rep, even if it's just advice. After so long in the role, it must seem a very raw deal if it's offered to another team member, without even the courtesy of anyone explaining why.