What is the name of the theory of promoting a bad employee to management, because they can do less damage?

I read somewhere online about a theory, about promoting poorer employees to management, because they are less likely to cause problems, being away from the frontline!





However, I can't find it again, and it's really bugging me! - "Tip of my tongue" all day!

What is the name of the theory of promoting a bad employee to management, because they can do less damage?
I think you're referring to the Peter Principle. The way it's actually described is employees are promoted as long as they're doing their job correctly, until eventually they reach a position for which they're not suited, after which they're not promoted anymore. It's also described as "rising to one's level of incompetence."


I think the lesson there is that it's not always the correct move to promote someone in business. Sometimes they'd be better in their current position, and it's more wise to just give them a raise and maybe expand their authority if you think they can handle it.
Reply:The line I heard was, you get promoted to your level of incompitence. You get put in a place where you are harmless. But, I was laid off first so, we will never know.
Reply:Are you thinking of the Peter Principle?