[Jims5543]

Define releasable.

Did you sign a no compete or contract of employment?

Personally I would begin shopping another job. Any other companies around with a great reputation of taking good care of their own?

I dealt with this on a much smaller scale. I had an employment contract in place that forced me to give a 4 week notice and I could not work in the same county after I left.

I went 3 counties away and increased my salary two fold. Yes I doubled my pay. I never looked back and opened my own business 3 year later and now make 3X the money I made at the last job.

You need leverage. If you are passed over for this promotion due to your incompetent managers actions. Move on.