Manager repeatedly encouraging me to look for another job despite positive performance — normal for a term employee?
I’m currently about 6 months into a 12-month maternity-cover position at a large financial institution. I recently had my probation meeting with my manager, and overall it went well. He didn't raise any performance concerns or complaints about my work, and I haven't received negative feedback since I started.
What caught me off guard was how strongly he emphasized that I shouldn't “block” myself from applying to other positions (outside the company).
He repeatedly encouraged me to apply elsewhere, including internally within the organization. At one point, we were even discussing possible roles I could apply for at another government agency. He also told me that I’m responsible for finding my next job, even if that means finding another position within the organization.
When I asked about the possibility of staying after my 12-month term, he said that I could potentially stay if an opportunity became available, but there are no guarantees.
I understand that I'm on a maternity cover and that my manager can't promise that a permanent position will exist. I'm not expecting a guarantee. What I'm finding unusual is how much emphasis he put on me looking elsewhere, rather than discussing how I might position myself for an internal opportunity if one becomes available.
Not sure if this part is relevant but he struggles to speak English with ease. He’s of Spanish decent and has told me before how some people are more gifted at expressively themselves elegantly like me while others struggle (I’m assuming he was indirectly talking about himself but I could be wrong). He has a short fuse too. There’s been a situation where he got undeniably furious that I listened to another manager over him and he held a grudge for a solid month.
He is my direct reporting manager but he doesn’t manage my line of business. The other manager literally works with me and the other analysts because she’s in my line of business. I don’t know why the management structure is like this here but it is what it is.