AIBU to request this from my line manager?

[Funkyslippers]

I work in learning support in a college. For the past year or so, as a team, we've been told to do tasks that are outside of our job description. There have been 3 quite extensive tasks that are going to take several hours, over the past few months. I've checked my jd and it states that "from time to time you may be asked to undertake additional tasks as requested by the principal". Well to my knowledge the extra work has not come from the principal, it's from the manager of our dept. AIBU to ask for a meeting with my line manager to say that I'd like confirmation from the principal that he has requested us to do these tasks? Or should I ask for a new jd (and higher pay to go with it for all the additional responsibilities!). I also feel out of my depth with some of the tasks due to crap (or no) training.

I’d maybe talk to them about how you feel out of your depth but I’m a bit of a ‘just go with it as it’s easier’ kind of girl , so I never really speak out if I feel like I’m doing too much work that isn’t in my JD. but do what feels right for you as long as you feel comfortable x

Agree with PP. You really shouldn't see a JD as a static document, but if you have too much work or are feeling out of your depth then you should discuss that with your LM.

I can't imagine any manager looking too kindly on an employee kicking up a fuss for having to do their job an extensive task to me takes a few weeks or months, not a couple of hours. YWNBU to ask for extra training though.

Agree with @fligglepige

YABU to expect the principal to speak to every individual about a tweak to duties. Surely the principal has delegated that to your line manager.

YANBU to discuss the impact of this extra work with your line manager - extra pay, training, support.

Does the principal delegate to your line manager? If so I'd assume when principal is mentioned it means your line manager too. You should talk to your line manager about getting more support to complete the task in a competent manner.

Are you suggesting that the tasks have to come directly from the principal to uou and not via your manager? Seriously?

If you're not able to do them, then asking for training is fine, but asking for proof they came from the principal is just odd.

Depending on how much you want to stay/develop there and how much you would enjoy the extra tasks if you felt more confident doing them, I would be asking to discuss my workload and ask for training. I do think asking if the principal has asked for the tasks could make it sound like you are questioning your manager, which might not paint you in the most favourable light. Do you get an appraisal meeting? I’d frame it as ‘there are additional challenges outside my original JD, I’d like to feel more confident doing them, and then also ask what scope for development there is in the role, which could lead to next step up, pay bands etc.

If it doesn't stop you doing your normal job I'd see it as a chance to do something a bit different. Ask for additional training if you need it, perhaps he asks you to do it because he thinks you're capable of more than you're doing. Next review redo your job description and ask for a pay rise (if it's in his scope)

You want a pay increase because you have done three extra tasks that took a few hours each? Put them on your CV and look elsewhere then. What a jobsworth!

Have you discussed this with the rest of your team - do they feel the same? Personally I would just see it as part and parcel of working in Education.

Every workplace has someone like the OP, scouring the JD to see if they are being asked to carry out additional duties 🙄 hence the catch all phrase needed.
The College Principal delegates priorities via the management structure. You would be laughed out of the office for asking for proof that the Principal has specifically requested this work.
Organisational Development is constant. Data driven services are constantly having to manage requests for information collated in slightly different ways, particularly in relation to funding.

Now, if the OP was being asked to cut the lawns, or clean the windows, or teach a Physics class, fair enough she would have a justifiable concern.
A change in tasks appropriate to the work of the Department? Absolutely no case at all. As for additional training, you should request this if you need it, in your regular performance management conversations with your line manager.

It sounds as though you don’t really understand the wider priorities of the College, and you should. It might help protect your job!

You aren’t serious, surely? In my world we count extra additional tasks as development opportunities. A time to shine.
If it’s too complicated for you to cope with, talk to your manager about that rather than fixating on whether the head delegates every task personally.
If you came to me asking for proof the CEO had personally delegated a task, I’d be looking at what you do and how you do it a whole lots more closely. Then I’d be looking to help you move on. Can’t abide jobsworth people who refuse to support the tam without griping.

Blimey I missed the bit she wanted a pay rise

I never said I thought the principal would delegate directly to me, of course he would go through the dept managers but I feel the extra work has come from the managers. These tasks are given to us as a team and, yes, the team feel the same as me but as several are quite new they don't want to say anything. These tasks take each person several hours, in addition to our already full schedule (supporting in class) and they used to be done by the managers but have slowly shifted our way.

Jobsworth is the word that springs to mind.

Seriously, you are having a laugh. Everyone does additional tasks to their job description.

Blimey op. I mean it's one thing not going for employee of the year, but this is the polar opposite. 😱

Managers delegate. That's part of their job description.

If you think this work is an extra responsibility that's above your pay grade then discuss it with your manager.
If you physically don't have enough time to complete it then discuss it with your manager.
If you need extra support/training discuss it with your manager.

But don't just kick up a fuss because you have to do an extra task.

Everyone does additional tasks at work it's the norm and can be a great opportunity.

What I’m
Not clear on is whether these additional hours you mention are meaning you are doing lots of unpaid overtime so eg you do your normal job for 7.5 hours a day but then have to stay another hour every day to do these tasks. Could you clarify. I think not being clear on this is fuelling the jobsworth comments.

No job description is set in stone and from the sound of it, these extra tasks aren't too onerous if they only take a few hours. Assuming your manager reports to the principal, that should be sufficient. You can't seriously expect the principal to deal with tasks on an individual basis.

You can definitely talk to your managers about this These tasks take each person several hours, in addition to our already full schedule. and ask for extra time or extra training.

But leave the nitpicking about whether it came from the principal or not out of it.

We have the odd person at work who states “it’s not in my job description”. They aren’t popular.

I'd say it depends what the task requires of you. If it's commensurate with your grade and you can do it within your paid job hours there's not much you can do, but if you feel like it's the job of someone with a higher grade or a particular qualification (who would then be paid more to do it!) you could probably complain on that front.

Presumably you're in a union; I'd talk to them about it.

Make sure you're in a trade union and bring your rep to the meeting!

www.tuc.org.uk/join-union