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AIBU?

To think i shouldnt have to do more than my job description?

39 replies

OnTheEdgeToday · 19/11/2015 14:30

Am i right in thinking that i do what is said on my job description, and only that - unless my manager asks/suggests otherwise?

Aibu to NOT do a job that is asked of me by a few another member of staff?

A little background -
I do my job, i do all that is expected of my job and often more. However, recently i have been asked to do extra. Only i dont have the time so refuse to do it. I dont finish on time to begin with because i do extra - by choice.
I would feel differently if my manager had approached me. With it being other members of staff, im feeling more like an 'erm no'.

For the type of person i am - part of me feels maybe i should just do it (and leave far later than i do already) to keep the peace and others happy. The other part of me feels like people are attempting to take the piss

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jay55 · 20/11/2015 07:39

Send an email to your manager asking for clarification on priorities.

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Krampus · 20/11/2015 07:14

My usual response would be that it's not good to be a jobs worth and being helpful makes you useful friends. That is if they are not regularly impacting your own work.

If I'm reading your post correctly.

You and the rest of the team are being badgered about doing a regular extra task that will take up considerable time.
Not the best atmosphere within teams and between them, you don't feel comfortable approaching manager or team leader.

When somone from the other team bitches to you about doing it smile and say that they need to speak to the managers, their's or your own, about any ideas for improvement. Mention that you don't have the authority to impliment it. Another big ☺ but dont enter into a debate. Then at the next team briefing raise the issue. Hi manager we keep getting this request from x team, is this something we should be doing? Big helpful Smile

I don't usually use the word bitch but I have an image of them all consantly winding each other up then sending off the bravest to tackle it. I could be wrong Smile

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Duck90 · 19/11/2015 23:26

Generally the phrase "it's not in my job description" really annoys me. It is an unhelpful way of working. Esp, if it is something really trivial- like I know the cleaner is off sick but I won't take my be out (for weeks).

But your place of work sounds unpleasant, so maybe yanbu. X

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OnTheEdgeToday · 19/11/2015 23:13

I dont want to be seen as complaining. I do speak to my manager from time to time, in passing though. Its never a sit down chat.

My relationship with other members of staff i feel is ok. I am not comfortable because of it not feeling like an environment of trust. If you say something to one person, it is bitched about with every other member of staff - to the point you feel uncomfortable.
This current issue was well discussed amongst each other before bringing it to our attention. They spoke as though it has been an on going issue...but we have only just found out about it.

I believe that whatever i do complain about is going to be that days gossip amongst them all.

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DecaffCoffeeAndRollupsPlease · 19/11/2015 22:45

What puts you off approach your manager with this? Do you speak to them regularly for appraisal, feedback on how you're doing, training /career prospects?

I've comes to prefer approachable but targeted and organised management, rather than a manager who wants you to like them and approaches the relationship as pals, or the other end of the scale - a manager who views you as worker number 2257941v.II.

Basically, do you usually have fairly open and frequent lines of communication with your manager?

What is your relationship like with the rest of the staff, are you comfortable with how you fit in and is their an environment of trust?

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Euripidesralph · 19/11/2015 21:19

OP I really would talk to the manager .... Prior to maternity leave I ran a 50 strong team and firstly if anyone was having duties added either in or their line manager would tell them (their line managers reported to me I'd that makes sense) never another staff member

But I know there were staff members who pulled this on someone else.... They would ask them to cover etc and I would often struggle to catch them in the act because the person like yourself was afraid of rocking the boat so they didn't let me know what was happening

Often all I needed was confirmation and I would easily be able to shut the situation down and protect all involved but I always needed conformation (otherwise I'd have my ass handed to me for bullying)

Talk to your manager....

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lougle · 19/11/2015 20:14

It depends a bit on your organisational hierarchy. For example, as an NHS worker, if a band 6 asks a band 5 to do something, they'd be expected to do so, even though the band 6 is not the manager of the band 5.

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OnTheEdgeToday · 19/11/2015 19:53

They are being asked in the same way. It also isnt part of their job.

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StealthPolarBear · 19/11/2015 19:51

Sorry they're complaining because they're being asked to do it too (in the same way)?
Or complaining because it is part of their job and they're struggling?

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RaspberryOverload · 19/11/2015 19:48

Polgara25
Do you have something along the lines of 'any other reasonable duties' in your contract? If so, you have to do it I'm afraid.

I have that sort of thing too. But it doesn't apply when it's just other colleagues asking me to do stuff on a regular basis.

So, the OP should only be doing this if her manager was asking. OP, I'd have a talk with your manager to explain the situation and ask for a decision. Make it clear that as you don't have enough time to complete everything already, without doing the extra stuff, then if s/he wants you to do the extra stuff then something else has to go to compensate.

You also mention that it's part of someone else's job description. I think it's fair to ask if they are indeed doing it as part of their role, because if they are not, then it should be brought up that you're effectively being asked to do someone else's job.

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OnTheEdgeToday · 19/11/2015 19:47

Yes stealthpolarbear and they are complaining, which is why im here.
I personally would usually just suck it up and get on with it. Because of this i never know when people are taking the piss, unless its obvious even then im a fool
So this...as simple as it may be for you all to see and work out, has sent my anxiety into overdrive.

If i do just get on with it and do the extra job, not only would i be shitting on myself with time, id be shitting on those who are complaining.
Because i feel i am not able to just to the extra job without upsetting others, i feel stuck because i feel it may be pissing offthose who have asked for the jobs to be done iykwim

I dont even want to speak to the manager.

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StealthPolarBear · 19/11/2015 19:35

Do other people work alongside you in the same role?

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whois · 19/11/2015 19:32

Exactly what mannequinonthemove said. Just speak to your manager rather than hufifng about it on MN!

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MediumBox · 19/11/2015 17:49

my job description basically ends with ...and anything your manager asks you to do...

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mannequinonthemove · 19/11/2015 17:48

I would go to my boss and say (keep it quite friendly and breezy) "Phew, Karen's been asking me to wash the shelves quite often lately, and obviously I'm happy to pitch in and help out other teams if you want me to, but it does mean I'm struggling to get through all the shelf-stacking you asked me to do on time! I just wondered which thing you'd prefer I concentrate on?"

Your manager will almost definitely say "oh, Karen shouldn't be doing that! Concentrate on my work please".

To which you say "of course! Just thought I'd better let you know".

And next time Karen asks you to wash shelves, you can just say "ooh is it OK if you check it with Bossperson first, because Bossperson has asked me to concentrate on the stacking?". Karen will probably go back and find some other sucker.

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TiredButFineODFOJ · 19/11/2015 17:35

A job description should never specify the exact tasks you do in your job.
Most will say "and any other tasks commesurate with the role and salary" or something like that which basically means that yes, you can be asked to do other tasks as needed, as long as they are at a similar level of skill (and therefore pay). Asking you to audit the year's management accounts would be ridiculous. Asking you to do your own filing is fine.

I think you are barking up the wrong tree in trying to use your job description as leverage to "not do" this new layer of work. You say you don't even think your manager is aware this is being asked of you- so tell them and let them sort it out, first of all. If you can't finish your work in a day you need to speak to your manager about it, and let them sort it out. But don't be surprised if this does become "your" work.

Most job descriptions also have a statement regarding the purpose of the job, so a new task which helps to "achieve" the job purpose is wholly acceptable.

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Andro · 19/11/2015 16:02

A one off request from other colleagues would be acceptable in my view, but if this is happening repeatedly and you don't have time then it becomes a management issue. Should the intention be that this becomes part of your job, it is definitely a management issue and your hours changed/another task removed from your list to compensate.

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OnTheEdgeToday · 19/11/2015 15:50

I dont work as stacking shelves though. It was just an example.

Am i wrong for thinking that if it is a job that should be assigned to me (which ive never been asked before) - that management should be the ones to approach me and my hours should be increased to fit it in. The other jobs are definately priority over this - considering i go over my time anyway.

I would have no problems at all doing this job - if asked to do it by my manager and if i had the time to do it.

Thank you all for your replies.

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britnay · 19/11/2015 15:22

Honestly, its something that should automatically be done when stacking shelves. Not every single one, but just doing a bit at a time.

I work as a dispenser in a small pharmacy. However, as well as doing all the things that the job involves and keeping things clean in the pharmacy, if I have spare time/we are short staffed, I also stack and clean shelves on the shop floor, serve customers, mop the floor and generally helping where it might be needed. The manager does the same. Its not in our job description, but if it needs doing, then it gets done.

Honestly, if the "job description" listed every single thing done, then it would be pages and pages long!

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EeyoresTail · 19/11/2015 15:16

Unless your contract specifically states putting stock on shelves then I think cleaning the shelves etc falls under your remit. Saying that the request should come from management imo.

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DamnBamboo · 19/11/2015 15:11

Say no!
If you are repeatedly asked to do it, speak with your line manager and go from there.

It could well be that if there is a clause that makes provision for you to do other duties, then you will have little say in it. But you can of course discuss your role and working hours generally, if these additional tasks will have a detrimental effect.

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Polgara25 · 19/11/2015 15:08

Do you have something along the lines of 'any other reasonable duties' in your contract? If so, you have to do it I'm afraid.

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cailindana · 19/11/2015 15:07

People who don't manage you should not be assigning you jobs. It's one thing to help every now and again, just to be friendly, it's quite another to be entirely assigned a new task that you then take responsibility for. I would just say, 'sorry I don't have time to do that,' and think no more of it. If the manager asks you then you say 'I already have a full list of tasks so this task will mean another one gets lower priority. Which task should have lower priority?'

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ImperialBlether · 19/11/2015 15:03

Who would normally wash the shelves? Are you referring to a job that should be done but which isn't assigned to anyone?

Why do the checkout operators think it's their job to tell you what to do?

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mileend2bermondsey · 19/11/2015 14:58

Welll it seems obvious that the shelves need to be cleaned at some point and the best time to do it is when they are mostly empty, which I expect would be just before restocking them. However I dont know why its the cashiers sticking their beak in telling you to do this? What has it got to do with them? Why isnt the manager asking for this task to be done.

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