I don't want to take on managers role temporarily. Help where do I stand

[whatisforteamum]

So 2 junior members of our department left last yr.
So when Christmas hit and we were busy boss A and boss B were ill and I temporarily stepped up massively .It was physically and mentally demanding not helped by a disappearing higher up boss who offered no support.
Now I find out boss A is leaving and boss B is stepping up and taking annual leave.
This leaves me in an awkward situation.
We are half the team now and I don't want the huge responsibility either for the money I'm on or the actual head honcho role.
Where do I stand ?
I have made it clear so now I don't know what the Rota will say in a couple of weeks.
My contract says I take orders from A or B nothing about being A or B.
Help I'm really stressed.

What would happen if you only did duties covered by your job role and refused to take on any managerial responsibility, starting immediately? Are you in a union, you might benefit from their support on this issue.

Just say no. They need you. They are using you.

Who is managing you? Anyone you can talk to? I had this situation last year, immediate boss and boss above him disappeared off sick. I wasn’t even spoken to, nor was I paid, I was just expected to get on with it. Not fair. Don’t let this happen to you.

I might ring ACAS.No union no.
I worked alone this week when previously 2 or 3 worked.
Agency is being contacted yet I don't want the paperwork or responsibility for them.
There could be repercussions that I don't want.

How long are they on annual leave for? Will his leave be canceled if you don’t do it? Do you like him? Can you negotiate only doing strictly necessary parts of the role.

Cherrysoup Mr B will step up when A has gone.
He informed me he has annual leave and little managerial experience.
He has a boss above him who is quite erratic and couldn't be found often when I stepped in for 10 days.
Nightmare.
Department cannot function without certain duties being performed I haven't done in a few yrs.no need to as I'm mid department and overlooked for promotion.

Boss A is happily doing over the big boss.
Yes I may have to make my position clearer boss B who is stepping up has no holiday plans whatsoever.
I have no idea on the law regarding responsibility or extra duties.

Previously, you stepped up and did your own role?

Yes with a little agency help.I worked 100 hours between days off .Never again.

I only feel I can leave or go sick.

You presumably do your own job, for which you applied and were successful at interview etc.

These jobs are not your job. So therefore you can’t be made to do them, only your own job, for which you get paid.

So I’d be speaking with them asap to advise that you will not be in a position to step up this time, should the position be offered to you, and that they should start looking elsewhere or cancel annual leave until such times as the boss gets replaced as you will not be providing cover and want no managerial responsibility for agency or other colleagues going forward. That you will continue doing your own job. And that you just wanted to make them aware of your situation timeously to ensure there were no expectations of you stepping up.

Do not leave unless you have another job to go to as you will not be able to claim benefits if you leave.

I wouldn’t go sick either as that may look bad for future job applications.

Stand firm. Or find a better job.

I don't understand - you say on one hand you don't want to do a managerial role, but on the other hand you have been overlooked for promotion?

I can't quite follow your posts but it seems to me like one of your two bosses is leaving and you are either worried or hoping you will be asked to take on this role in conjunction with holiday-taking boss, Is this not the promotion you have been waiting for?

Thank you Elieza .
I will track the main boss down in the morning.
He needs to cancel MR B s leave if he wants the responsibility and huge pay rise.

Xiaoxiong no it is a step above my promised/ alluded to promotion.
I've given up on that idea after learning many aspects and jumping through hoops.
Some of us are not managerial material.

I feel your pain OP.

I also don’t like to be taken for granted at the last minute by presumptuous bosses who expect me to do someone else’s work at detriment to my own health.

That’s why I’m suggesting you mention it so they can’t complain when the come to you the day before the boss goes and ask you to step up - and then cry that how very dare you leave them in this position yada yada. When they’ve just presumed and left themselves in that position! Hence I’m thinking if you tell them now they can do something.

Still think look for another job though…

Have you been there over two years? You have more protection by law if you have.

I was offered work last yr that I went after but changed my mind because of future lockdown.
I know there are plenty of positions in my field to go for and was contacted 10 times by recruiters.
Also we are likely to be short staffed for a while and 3 will struggle to maintain 5 or 6 people's work to the required level.
Thank you for the advice.😀

Update I spoke to my will be new boss.He assumed I would want to step up.
I pointed out I had been overlooked for a step up for ages and had given up on the idea (as I've jumped through enough hoops).
He will also forgo his half his holiday which seems fair for a massive pay rise.
I still don't know what the bigger plan is and have requested a team meeting.
Thank you all for replying.

Glad you let them know now. Saves bad feeling later when you would have ‘let them down’ (as that’s how this would have been badged).

What are your plans for the team meeting? What do you anticipate then saying at it or will they say you called it what is it you’d like to ask about?

I just what a rough idea what shift patterns will be anticipated and the holiday booking rules as each boss has had ideas of what is acceptable.
Also it is good to all hear everything together rather than rumours or guess work.

Good that you talked to him! If he assumed you'd want to step up, it sounds to me like you are no longer being overlooked, they've finally recognised all the hoops you've jumped through and they DO think you're managerial material!

Xiaoxiong that or they hoped I would babysit the role to allow the promoted colleague to step back if it doesn't work out.
No thanks I don't want to be messed about anymore.
I'm too old for that.😀