Expecting to do senior role without extra pay

[Sparklybutold]

Will keep it brief. Senior role going on maternity soon. They were interviewing for her role with 2 members in the team expecting to interview. Day before interviews cancelled and we have been informed the seniors responsibilities will be shared amongst the team. At no extra pay I may add. I want to refuse as do others. Anyone know where we stand on this?

My job is in the healthcare sector. We already feel extremely devalued and underpaid anyway. I suspect one of the potential interviewees will seek employment elsewhere.

So aibu - step up or ainbu - don't step up

YANBU but I suspect the catch all ‘any other duties as required’ line will be in your contract meaning they can force the issue

YANBU - however do you have a pay banding structure with clear roles that are expected in each position? I am middle management and my bosses found when looking at our job descriptions, it wouldn't be going against policy to pass on some of their jobs to us to ease their load. For example, we are now able to conduct absence reviews because there is a vague part of our job description which could technically involve this. They are still in charge of things like budget however as this is a clear duty unique to their pay band.

I resigned last week because of a similiar situation. My manager left end of Oct and work has been spread around. For the first time in my working life I stuck my hand up and asked for more money to reflect the additional responsibilities. Got told no so I’m leaving. I’m in a fortunate position that I can do that, it was just the final straw of being a mug for WAY too long.

Check your employment contract.

Union

Definitely take this to the union. YANBU at all. They only have to employ a temporary act up.

@RewildingAmbridge

This is exactly what they were going to do. Originally verbally promised it to a team member, then said they needed to.interview for it, then cancelled said interviews. I suspect it comes higher up and is money. The problem is I'm still in my 6 months probationary so I'm worried if I refuse to do extra dutursnit could go against me.

Extra duties, it could go against me

If it turns out you are 'required' to do it because of a vague clause in your contract, could you do so but refuse to do any unpaid overtime to accommodate it? Presumably your current role fills a full 8hours or whatever per day, so if you add in the extra tasks there will inevitably be some things from both roles which just don't get done...

You could contact union for advice as to exactly what is acceptable to be asked to do. Stick strictly to your contracted duties, keep asking bosses to clarify what duties (if they add stuff on) are within your role. Don't do anything you're not feeling confident about and when asked why A, B, C wasn't done, explain that it wasn't possible within your working day. Ask them to provide a proforma plan of your day if they query for you to try out.

Union

You should all refuse to do extra hours in order to get the work done. If you can do it within your joint contracted hours, they have a point. If not, then they'll have to prioritise what gets done.

Unhelpful to you OP but this is why I think it should be mandatory for companies providing maternity leave to also fund cover for the person using it. I’ve spent years covering mat leaves for no extra pay and it does my head in. Definitely speak to the union, especially given your vulnerable position.

Given how new you are to the role also email senior and say you don't feel confident/safe picking up the extra duties. Make sure it's in writing

I wouldn't do it for no extra pay no.

There's never been a better time to look for a job in the healthcare industry so i wouldn't be particularly bothered if they didn't pass my probation either.

The way I would look at it would be a development opportunity. As long as you're not expected to work extra hours and ultimately the buck doesn't stop with you.
Prove that you can excel at the additional responsibilities then you have it on your CV when a permanent role becomes available.

But I work in the private sector and appreciate that it may be different in the NHS.