Colleague wants her job back

@PrincessHoneysuckle I would be tempted to respond as if this is coffee break chat - in the same way someone might talk about wondering if they could "WFH" on a beach in Thailand.

What reason would you have to exchange roles??? She has shared with you that her job is not so great. You know that the extra few pounds in your pocket is not worth it. If management should get wind of what she wants and approach you, just say how happy you are in your post. Her problem not yours

Just say no sorry it's a really difficult job you have and not something I want to take on. Sympathise and encourage her to apply for something else.

Some good advice there from @AbzMoz to have a quiet word with your boss but pitch it carefully. Emphasise how much you are enjoying your current role and making a contribution to the company at your current level. You have no immediate wish to consider progression at this time.

I would knock that idea on the head firmly (just a firm "that's not going to happen") but I would encourage her to go to HR/boss whoever to ask about being properly remunerated for her increased responsibility. It does sound as if she hasn't thought it through but then that's on her.

What did you say to her, I missed that bit?

’This job is truly horrible and I am miserable. Wouldn’t it be much better if we move heaven and earth so that you were miserable instead of me?’ This is the gist of what she wants you to agree to. Is she a bit unaware of how others can see and hear what she says?

Yes, nip it in the bud. ‘No, I’m not interested.’ No need to go into the whys and wherefores or give her reasons. Give someone a reason and they will try and give you a solution in order to get their way.

No, she just wants your job to escape hers. If she’s having a problem with the level or work or responsibility it’s her job to go to her manager and discuss it, including whether her workload is reasonable and whether any adjustments need to be made.

And this is what you need to tell her - ‘No, that’s not an option. I understand you’re unhappy with your role and you need to discuss that with your manager with a view to improving it, but you can’t just decide to switch roles because you don’t like yours’.

She is being silly. She certainly isn’t in a position to offer her job to you! Your employer will do a normal recruitment process if she chooses to leave her current job. She definitely can’t just take her old job back either, it is yours and after two years you are secure in it. If she wants to leave her current job she needs to job hunt like anyone else.

Just say sorry, you don’t want any more responsibility at the moment. You needn’t feel guilty - it’s not your problem.

Big fat no.

Tell her to get another job elsewhere if she's unhappy, as you are going nowhere.

Cheeky madam! It’s not up to her (or you) to decide on swapping roles and her getting her old job back. She is nuts even asking you this. Do what others have said and speak with your manager / HR.

This happens often.

i worked in a bank as a cashier.

Chief cashier left. I was told it was now my job.

no more money and OMG the extra work! Responsible for ATM, bullion, everyone else’s tills, key holder.

Bet when shes suggesting the swap she isnt suggesting you get paid more and she gets paid her old salary

It's been a year, she needs to get over it or find a new job that's available. Your role is not available and it's therefore nothing to do with you.

Presumably it’s not your decision to swap though?

Id be very canny with what I say to her: oh I enjoy my current role, as you know it’s a great job, yes I’ll be discussing promotion and next steps with management when I’m ready for that..

Id also be canny with management: Mary has asked me to trade roles with her. I’m thinking about promotion (now, in 1-2 years when dc are doing xyz) and am eager to progress here. Though given the struggles she’s had, I have to wonder if thats a good mandate and what that might look like…

You mustn’t let her tell the tale, as in it you’ll either be presented as more open to it, or unambitious (which isn’t a good look). Nice opportunity to have a soft discussion about career opportunity and salary bump without it being foisted on you, IMO

Absolutely say no! She's barmy if she thinks that it is reasonable to ask you to swap jobs.

I would be making it clear to my manager that I had no interest in this. Just in case it’s being presented anywhere as something you’re both happy to do.

What sort of environment do you work in ? that is going to make all the difference

nail salon
hair salon
school
college
governmental offices
car sales
retail
marketing
digital marketing

endless possibilities, how can we possibly say without knowing

Just be clear and say no from the start, don’t give her chance to get in the bosses ear about it

“Oh that’s a shame you’re not enjoying it. I’m not interested in moving though”.

end of story and if she raises it again tell your manager she is hassling you

I agree, she's using you to try and build a case for taking your job. Do not allow this person to manipulate you. Be polite but say "no" very, very clearly, and leave absolutely no room for misinterpretation.

No no a thousand times no

Unless this is something you'd actually like, you just need to side eye her, laugh and say something like "Yeah, right!" then loudly tell a colleague
"You'll never guess what X suggested!"