Expected to do bosses job when she's not there.

[yousmellMarfelus]

A few months ago at work, I applied for a more senior role, which involves more responsibilities and more pay.
I was unsuccessful at the time and the post went to someone else.
I'm fine about it, because it was good interview practice and I don't begrudge it going to the this particular person. She is right for the job.

My gripe is this.

When she is off sick or at a meeting or on a training course, I am often asked to fill in for her.
It tens to only happensabout once every two weeks, but still.....
Am I right to be a bit annoyed that they don't think I'm good enough to do the job, but are quite happy for me to step in when it suits them.
Why should I do her job when I don't get any of the perks.

Does this happen in many working environments?

Yes.

How else would people develop their skills for promoted roles?

Look on it as a way of preparing yourself for the next time. I love getting asked to represent my boss at things.

i would ask why they think this is acceptable....it would annoy me to...i would want a pay rise reflecting the extra work!

Yabu

You are only filling in occasionally

Unless you think this woman can never have any time off. At all ?

I would make sure you use this opportunity to beef up your CV and next time you will be more likely to get a senior role.

Don't most senior jobs ask for some experience of acting up ? Well, there you are.

I'd say that was pretty normal, tbh.

I would say fine, but a pay rise to reflect this is only fair.

Yes, I imagine it happens almost everywhere, that is covering the day to day elements of the line manager's role. That's how people gain experience. So ask how you can learn more. There may be longer term parts of the role you haven't seen yet. And perhaps ask if there is scope for you to have a formal deputy role in future.

Also, you are not "doing the bosses job"

She is still the one doing the planning and taking all the flak if something goes wrong. Take it as a compliment, and also a chance to gain experience without all the responsibility and accountability.

I did this for about three years. At first I didn't mind and actually helped the new boss settle in. Then after 18 months of me still doing most of her shit then covering her arse when not in with no extra pay it really made me resentful. I left in the end as nothing was going to change as they were essentially saving money.

It's shit . What are you going to do?

Maybe you are good enough for the job but she was better. I think YABU and this is pretty standard. It gives you a chance to show you can do it and perhaps next time there is a chance of a promotion it'll be your turn.

In my job description it makes it clear that I will be expected to cover aspects of my line managers role when they aren't around. It doesn't bother me as I see it as valuable experience should I decided to apply for promotion. If it happened every two weeks I might feel differently. I can also see why you would be particularly sensitive to this having been turned down for the same job.

would say fine, but a pay rise to reflect this is only fair.
Exactly what I'm thinking.

yanbu, and you are not filling in occasionally, as every 2 weeks in a routine thing. I would ask for a pay rise on the days you have to fill in for her.

Before she had the role, who stepped in when the previous manager was unavailable?

I think the nature of the 'stepping in' might make a difference, and the length of time, but I agree that this is your chance to show you are more than capable of taking on the role, next time the chance for promotion comes up.

Be flattered they have faith in you to take on the responsibility! It's only once every couple of weeks - were it half you working time I would think differently, but this is one you can either view as something to suck up, or be positive and make the most of the opportunity.

No, use the experience to rewrite your CV. Make a note of everything you do for her so that you can use it when you apply for another job.

You're not doing the whole job, are you?

If a pay rise was appropriate then there would be two "bosses" wouldn't there ?

Unless there is a clear role for a deputy position, this is just what happens in most job roles
I don't get the problem

Op is not saying her boss is incompetent and she is having to cover for her, so I don't think she has a leg to stand on here to complain, tbh

IME it's normal for managers / team leaders to have someone covering for them when they're away.

I am either good enough.
Or I'm not.

If I'm not, fair enough, but don't then ask to me to do that very thing you didn't deem me good enough to do in the first place.
It doesn't exactly inspire confidence.

I suppose I hate that whole Am I being messed about/taken advantage of feeling.

I used to fill in for our seniors occasionally with all the extra responsibility that entailed. In fact i would go out of my way to volunteer to do this even though i didn't get any financial recompense for it. It was very useful when i was being interviewed for an acting up senior post which i got because i had had relevant experience. The two others being interview didn't have this. It is a great way to get experience and one day that boss role might be yours.

But how do you think other people get experience, OP? You can't go and bill the company for money when you've learned something new that will take you on to a better job.

You might have been good enough, but if two people apply for a job they will only appoint one, even if both could have done the job.
This is a good way for you to gain experience that will help you get the promotion next time.

YABU. This is a normal thing to do, and you could use that to show that you have what it takes when they need to think about promotions.

You are filling in for her on ad hoc occasion, you are not doing the entirety of her job. You do some of the tasks she does, with only partial responsibility. Frankly, the way you complain shows both that you do not understand what a manager position is, and that you are a bit immature.
I know I fill in for my boss on occasions, does not mean that I can do what she does all the time.

YABU. This is a normal thing to do, and you could use that to show that you have what it takes when they need to think about promotions.

You are filling in for her on ad hoc occasion, you are not doing the entirety of her job. You do some of the tasks she does, with only partial responsibility. Frankly, the way you complain shows both that you do not understand what a manager position is, and that you are a bit immature.
I know I fill in for my boss on occasions, does not mean that I can do what she does all the time.

They're not asking you to do that very thing

Filling in a day at a time isn't doing the job.

OP is not just doing this once in a while, but on a regular basis. She still has to take the responsibility and flak and continue where her boss has left off, when her boss is not there!

Right what type of tasks are you being asked to undertake while she isn't there? Give us some examples.