Should I Help My Sister Get a Promotion at Work? AITA?

Some people don’t recognize a favor, and in this office story, one sister’s “good word” request turns into a whole family HR nightmare.

A 28-year-old woman is working at a corporate firm while her 24-year-old sister just landed a lower-level job. The younger sister is already complaining about workload and having zero growth, and she’s got a track record of job-hopping whenever advancement doesn’t happen fast. Then an internal opening pops up in a different department, and the sister asks her to vouch with the hiring manager using connections from the older sibling.

The catch is, OP chose not to recommend her, and now the sister is calling her unsupportive.

Original Post

So I'm (28F) currently working at a corporate firm where my younger sister (24F) recently got hired in a lower-level position. She's been expressing a lot of dissatisfaction with her role, constantly complaining about the workload and lack of growth opportunities.

For context, my sister has a history of job-hopping due to her impatience with career advancement. Recently, an internal opening for a higher position became available in a different department.

My sister asked me to put in a good word with the hiring manager since I have connections there. However, I've decided not to recommend her for the promotion.

I believe she needs to prove her capabilities and dedication before moving up the ranks, especially given her past behavior at other jobs. I am worried that she might not handle the responsibilities well and tarnish both our professional reputations if I intervene.

She's now upset with me, claiming I'm hindering her career growth and not being a supportive sister. I'm conflicted because I want her to succeed, but I also value professionalism and meritocracy in the workplace.

So, AITA?

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It also matches the kind of tech sibling rivalry where one sister’s career push collides with the family expectations in this “choosing career over family” dilemma.

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That’s when the internal opening in a different department changes everything, because OP has the exact connection her sister is banking on.

OP remembers her sister’s past job-hopping and decides that “put in a good word” is not the same as quietly handing over a promotion she might not survive.

The sister’s nonstop complaints about workload and lack of growth suddenly look a lot less like honesty and a lot more like a pattern repeating.

Now OP is stuck between staying professional at work and dealing with the fallout of her sister being mad instead of grateful.

Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments section.

OP’s sister wanted a shortcut, but the promotion request blew up the family dinner before it even made it to HR.

Still torn between helping her sister’s promotion and backing a startup dream? Read this Redditor’s fight over a promotion versus their sibling’s entrepreneurial goals.