So I've worked at a factory for several years now. My former assistant supervisor had worked there for literally a week less than me. He got advanced early on (about a year in) due to being friends with a former supervisor.
Well about 4 months ago another supervisor job opened up and this assistant wanted it. He said he had put in 7 years as an assistant. He put in for it and was summarily told that he wasnt enough of a company man. He literally based his entire schedule around his job. And would do things for the company off of paid time. He decided to quit due to this, and found a job elsewhere as a full supervisor.
As I had worked with him for several years I let him know that I was interested in his position after he put in his two weeks notice. I had a lot of knowledge about the position already.
Well he put his support behind a female employee that hadn't even worked here for a year. He was friends with her i guess. She got the job and has been doing the bare minimum for 3 months. She still asks me about basic aspects of the job to this day.