To think manager is taking the p***?

[Supermagicsmile]

Partner called into manager's office recently to say if he keeps going the way he is and doing what he is doing, they will be looking to promote him to a senior managerial role soon.

Today, he was called back in and his manager has said if he potentially going to be promoted, he should start taking on some of the responsibilities. I think the manager is taking the piss all the extra work with no extra money. It's basically all the hours and roles the actual manager doesn't want.

It would be like someone being a teacher and the head asking them to be acting head a couple of times a week (doing all the jobs a head does and being accountable for things) but on a teacher's pay.

AIBU?

[Gizlotsmum]

Unfortunately I don't think it's that unusual. Maybe if he agree to do it he could ask for a timescale for the promotion..meaning there was an end goal in sight. Or a list of compentences he would need to demonstrate

[LucklessMonster]

Depends. To promote someone you need to know they can do the next level of the job, so it's reasonable to see if they're competent.

But if this is just a carrot they're dangling to get unpaid work out of him, it's piss taking.

He knows his company best - which is it?

[Cherrysoup]

I think it would be a massive pisstake if it was for an indeterminate length of time with the manager piling on work and seeing how long he or she could get away with it. On the other hand, being able to handle extra work and responsibility demonstrates resilience and enthusiasm. What exactly is the offer and when would the promotion be?

In teaching, you'd be offered a temporary TLR (TLR 3 covers temporary additional responsibilities) which could be stopped when the extra work stopped.

[Strongmummy]

It's how the world works. He needs to prove he's up to the promotion and take on more responsibility. However, i suggest your husband asks his boss for a time plan as to the promotion and that HR gets the wheels in motion with regards new title etc....

[lionsleepstonight]

I think it needs to be for a fixed period of time, with an agreed review with a view if passed then there'll be a promotion. Otherwise it could go on for years, especially if there isn't an actual vacancy.

[DisneyMillie]

It's a bit annoying but I think a lot of the time you have to be doing the next level of job to get the promotion. For instance - we have a matrix at work with what's expected at each level - to get a promotion you need to show you're doing (or can do) the majority of the work at the next level.

[MyKidsHaveTakenMySanity]

It could very easily be either taking the piss or seeing if your DP can handle the work. Unfortunately there's no way of knowing without doing it and finding out. He should set a realistic time limit. No promotion (after proving capability to do the job) within x months, then cease the extra work.
My husband hated his last "promotion". He went from hourly wage to salary (very very tiny amount more), had to stay up to 2 hours each day unpaid to complete all the works and yet was docked by the minute if he had to leave early for appointments etc. When he finally quit, they had to split his jobs between 3 people because it was far too much work for one person and the boss knew it. Make sure your DP doesn't let himself get the piss taken.

[BriantheWife]

Tendency to work to rule is a quality not often sought in management candidates.

[DameXanaduBramble]

Par for the course.

[melj1213]

How is the manager taking the piss if they have basically said "We are considering promoting you to a management role, so here are some management responsiblities to see how you get on"?

They will see potential for promotion, but it is very rare that someone would then be promoted without at least being given increased responsibilities before hand to see how they cope. True, it can lead to manages taking the piss but without some other form of backstory of his manager taking things too far I don't see how this falls into that category just yet ....

[wettunwindee]

It would be like someone being a teacher and the head asking them to be acting head a couple of times a week (doing all the jobs a head does and being accountable for things) but on a teacher's pay.

That's exactly how it works although tends to be less frequently than a couple of times a week.

Depending on the structure of his company (and very applicable in schools), positions are rarely created because someone deserves a promotion so it can be hard to give a timescale. You of course have an eye on people and like to test their competency in the role you and envision them working in.

[SingingInTheRainstorm]

If the promotion is desired then willingness to work above & beyond is a characteristic companies look for.
Not so much, oh you want me to try it out do you, well I want paying for my efforts, otherwise sorry no can do.
Ask how long they'd be looking at the extra responsibility being for, before they make a decision. Ask also if they can give constructive feedback during this period too, so communication channels are left open.
Most people would jump at such an opportunity. Not find problems with it. If DP isn't willing I'm sure there's others who would be, so a bit dangerous to make demands.

[harderandharder2breathe]

Yabu it's pretty normal to have to show you can deal with the extra responsibiyy and meet the job requirements of the next step up

[Mummyoflittledragon]

Was going to say something along the lines of SingingInTheRains post.

He's not a teacher so the analogy cannot apply. He's working in industry. In many companies, if you don't show willing to take on work of the next level, you will never progress.

[trinity0097]

Deputy heads in school have to act up as headteacher for no extra pay when the head teacher is not there.

I've always taken on more responsibilities than my current role dictates, it's how you move on up the ladder, showing willing and creating things to put on your CV.

[Imamouseduh]

YABU that's how the world works.

[Introvertedbuthappy]

Actually as a teacher if you are seeking promotion you often take on extra responsibilities (eg leading curricular meetings which require prep, heading committees with meetings and prep in your own time etc). You do it as you want to demonstrate initiative and that you show your leadership/planning skills etc. Obviously it's not paid until you gain a promoted post but it shows drive and is invaluable for your CV.

[Introvertedbuthappy]

In other words I imagine it's standard in all industries.

[fiorentina]

If he really wants a senior management role then he needs to step and prove he is proactive and can work at that level. It seems that this is a good opportunity for him to do so. Refusing to do so would not be looked upon favourably I wouldn't have thought.

It's good experience and gives him a chance to shine and show where he can add value.

If after a while he gets no confirmed promotion and he feels the business is taking advantage he's still gained the experience that he can take to another firm and that would be their loss?

[TattyCat]

YABU. It's normal to be operating for a period of time at the next grade if that's where you want to be. That's how Managers determine those ripe for promotion...

Don't dress for the job you have, dress for the job you want!

[AuntiePenguin]

It's normal. It's how I got every promotion I've had. You have to demonstrate that you can already do the job/handle the extra responsibilities before they'll actually give you the job.

It's a good idea to ask for a structured list of what the new responsibilities involve, and when performance is going to be reviewed with a timescale for promotion so long as his performance is good.

[Ifailed]

completely normal in most businesses, and I don' think you can compare it with teaching which has nationally agreed pay scales and job descriptions. Your partner should knows if this is a piss-take or not , unless he's very new at the company?

[Longdistance]

Unfortunately it's the norm.

I had this last year with a role change/promotion. Although, my manager knew I was fully capable of doing the job, it was cheap labour, and in the end only got £1k pay risetight cunts

It's left a bad taste in my mouth, and am waiting for my bonus so I can hand my notice in.

[BipBippadotta]

I agree with others that he should negotiate a timescale for promotion, objectives & competencies, discuss what the job title would be, etc.

But you're not unreasonable to be sceptical, depending on the industry your partner is in, and the company culture. This was a really standard thing when I worked in book publishing (and I think it happens a lot in industries prone to regular restructuring and lack of funding) - managers would tell ambitious young editors they were doing brilliantly, showing real promise, etc, and they could make a great case for a promotion if only the young editor would take on X, Y or Z responsibility, manage some more staff, etc. So they'd do it for 6 months, a year, 2 years, 3 years - and at every appraisal they'd be told they're doing amazingly, a really valued employee, and while there's no money for a payrise or promotion just now, maybe if they could take on some more line management responsibilities it would tip the balance with the higher ups. Repeat ad nauseam. People got hoodwinked into doing some really horrible things - managing restructurings / redundancies on the promise of a better job at the end of it, only to be given the chop like everyone else once they'd done management's dirty work.

Your partner has to be willing to leave within X amount of time if the promotion / payrise doesn't materialise. Otherwise you can end up staying in a role for years with no progression, which can be hard to explain to other employers when you're trying to move on.

[PotteringAlong]

It would be like someone being a teacher and the head asking them to be acting head a couple of times a week (doing all the jobs a head does and being accountable for things) but on a teacher's pay.

I'm a teacher. This is not uncommon. It's just the way it works!