No consolation to you, but it's quite normal to shift people into this kind of role when it's felt to be the best place to put them. I don't understand your point about having to advertise a job to show fairness - you also say they did advertise it. You have a lot of reasons to feel badly done by, but if you let it show, that will only make things worse. If you try your best to adapt to the situation you may be able to retrieve something from it. You can still do the diploma if you do it in your own time with your own money.

Last October I had a new boss (Chartered Surveyor) who was recruited. He has no H&S experience and attended a 4 day Managing H&S course. His boss (the finance director) upto October my previous boss immediately appointed my boss "the Company Competent" person. It was so embarrassing attending meetings and having to step in to save my boss's blushes. Finally, it became obvious that my days were numbered when the company decided to employ an outside consultancy to do an audit and the first recommendation was "you can save money by getting rid of the inhouse Health and Safety Manager" or words similar. I didn't wait around and resigned just after Easter giving two months notice which was up last Friday. I did not work the notice but was paid. I have serious doubts about where H&S is going and am glad that after all these years I am well out of the game. This is most probably my last post - so adios and good luck to you all. Rich

I will not dwell too much on personal experience and try to answer your questions: You: My concern is firstly is that the person who got the job has no qualifications or experience in health and safety and has already overruled me over a couple of issues (which I have documented). Answer: You are very right in documenting when you have been overruled. Sounds like you are in an advisory role however, if you have been overruled on certain points I would go away and research and come back with guidance or industry standard etc. If they still do not listen, then at least you have it documented that the correct research took place and the correct advice given. You: Also I am now being told that attending IOSH seminars etc is not required and if I wish to attend any such events then I must take holidays.can anyone offer me advice on how I deal with these issues. I have already tried saying that it is good practice that I attend these events and maintain my CPD, but I was just told that I had to read books instead. Answer: Your employers are very right in what they are saying. Reading a book or magazine such as SHP can be documented as CPD. Obviously, in a perfect world, we would all like to attend seminars but this is not something we can always achieve in a fast paced industry such as ours. This does point out that your employers is just ticking boxes and there is a lack of safety culture from those running the company. You: And the last thing I thought a company had to advertise a job either internally or externally to show fairness. Answer: There is no legal obligation regarding this however, I would refer to the policy of the company, as this is where this information is usually contained. If the internal policy states this should take place then there is an argument to be had that an in internal policy was breached and I would take this up with HR. Lastly - You: I was hoping to go for my diploma, but I am now not allowed as I will be vastly overqualified than my boss, which I was anyway Answer: There is no definitive answer to this but I can point out a few things. You state the diploma is out of your reach financially (fair comment) but you do not seem to say whether the NVQ is within your financial reach. If you can do the NVQ then your comment regarding the assessor attending your site is non applicable, as you can complete this course via distance learning and there is no need for them to attend your site for you to complete this course. So this may be your way out. I have been in exactly the same situation and I have always paid for my own courses (I know this is not what everyone can do). I would suggest that you look at financial installments, even if companies do not advertise this facility. I would phone up and discuss as some do offer financial help but do not advertise this. Get your qualifications and this will open up the job market for you and get away from them. Sounds like you have made up your mind anyway. Good luck!

I'm in my 43rd year of work and the one thing i've learnt in all that time is that lifes to short to get involved and annoyed by company politics, roll with it or move on.

Good advice Lisa. The organisational chart would be a useful tool and any company worth its salt should have one of these documented along with roles and responsibilities.

Thanks to all who replied. It has made me think a bit clearer as well as raising a smile (esp. walkers comment). I have decided to phone around a few providers to see if I can do a payment plan with them for my Diploma and if that fails I will try for a career development loan. My supervisor does not know his role of responsibility etc. I have decided to go on a charm offensive until I can gain my qualifications and then move on. H&S in the company is low down on the list as it is not driven from the top as the MD refuses to wear safety boots and HI-vis vests when in forklift areas so that may give you some indication to what the culture is like. As for organisational charts these do not show much as all and have not been updated for several months. I would like to thank you once again for your responses, at least I know I am not being nit picking. Regards David

Have you considered that the new supervisor may support your desire to further your training. They may want to manage, but no reason they can't manage a qualified person. The person who runs an airport does not need to be able to fly a plane. Once you have furthered your qualifications the world is your oyster, well ok possibly not the whole world. Just a thought, hope it all goes well. Someone should run a course on how to deal with office politics :o)

Just to add to what Jake has said, the person might actually be grateful for some additional help from yourself. Yes they might get the pat on the back when things go well but they might also fight your corner if they think you are on their side (so to speak). Roll with it at the moment and after a few months you'll have a better idea of how the land lies and future prospects. Good luck!

Well today has topped things off, I put a business case together for addressing an issue with slippery floors within the workplace and reduce the level of risk to the business. My business case proposed three solutions to the problem along with prices and RTI, I also included the near miss and accident data to back up my BC. So we had a meeting with the MD to discuss my proposals with a view of getting the floor painted in anti-slip floor paint, which was a quick and easy win. But in the meeting my supervisor thought to over rule me by saying that the risk was not as great as I stated and that I was inflating the facts, he also went on to say that the company has no money to buy the paint. So after a long debate I won my case and agreed to paint the floor, but production had to come first that was the compromise. So I left the meeting and went to my computer and wrote out my notice and handed it in citing that I am unable to accept the level of risk posed by the company and the management team. So I have a month to look for another job. Some may say I am foolish but I believe I need to look after the people that work for the company as well as the brand and directors. Thanks once again Jobless Dave

You won your argument and then resigned?!? It appears the MD was perfectly happy to accept your opinion with the caveat that you understand that production must come first. That doesn't mean it won't be done. I don't understand how you can walk away from secure employment 'on principle' rather than stay and fight - particularly when you seem to be winning.