Need help articulating this to my manager, and AIBU

[TheJobsworth]

I work PT, unsociable hours and minimum wage. I am doing this because it fits around family life and I don't have to pay for childcare, it is close to home and right now it is all I can manage with a very busy family life.

During the time I have worked there, about 4 years, my role has gone from a very basic one to one that is all singing and all dancing. When the manager is off sick, or not around, I am told to do it. I have responsibility for opening up and closing down etc. I don't know how this happened, but I seem to now be doing a manager's job. A while ago I went for a promotional role in the wider company and got to the final stage only to be told that that role was now scrapped (a crucial one!) and that the job would be divided up amongst existing staff. One of the reasons why I stepped up in my job, showed initiative etc. is because I like working there, and thought that I could start at the bottom and work my way up. It seems though that there is nowhere to go above where I am.

I work extra hours, I do the jobs no one else will do, I have never had a day off sick (whereas the other's sickness levels are atrocious), I'm covering for the manager when they are off sick/ not around, I am sent on projects, I get asked to identify issues and come up with solutions and put them in writing (at home) and other things. At the same time, I hear others who have joined after me telling everyone how they get paid more than the others, but when we have asked about pay rises due to the cost of living we are told there is no money and we should be glad to have the job, as there are plenty of people waiting.

So, I have heard from another manager that my own manager has highlighted me to take on extra. I know that this is a lot about the others won't as they won't do anything extra without more pay.

The thing is, I'm spent. I do way over what I am getting paid to do and I am sick of it now. I want to say to my manager "no sorry, I am doing enough. I am not doing anymore and you aren't going to pay me any extra, so no", but I think it will go down like a lead balloon.

AIBU - I am a jobsworth and should be glad I have a job.
IANBU - they are taking the piss.

I am looking for another job, but it means a massive logistical upheaval, so I do it with a heavy heart. I wanted to do this until my DC went to secondary, but the stress of this work now is not worth it. I may as well go work in my old role and be stressed out, but paid at least double.

Forgot, how do I articulate this without then being persona non grata?

This is terrible. Of course YANBU. They’re completely taking the piss.

Call ACAS for advice, outline your roles and duties in a document and present it to hr vs the role description you were recruited to do?

if that all seems like too much, absolutely leave!!

is it retail by any chance?

It all depends on if you are leaving on time and doing the work in your allocated hours?

If the answer is yes then do the work you can do at a reasonable pace to the best of your ability and anything that’s not done say sorry there isn’t enough time to do this.

If you’re not happy that the work that’s being asked of you is within your remit then you should ask if your job description is going to be re-evaluated and potential earning increase? But this isn’t a given.

They must trust you to push these extra managerial jobs on you so they won’t want to lose you.

I would say whilst I appreciate the opportunity to learn & grow, I want to remain in my original role & hours. Then suggest a colleague to pick up these tasks. Helpful but clear.

Be more like the others who just say no. For a while, anyway. Once your manager notices, that’s the time to have the discussion.

Can you talk openly with your manager?

Tell them exactly what you said here, that you've worked hard, taken on a lot more, want to stay with the company and work your way, and you believe you have done well.

You are disappointed the other role was scrapped, and you feel that your good nature is being exploited so you would like a pay rise or at least a sensible overtime allowance.

Make a list of all the hours and things you have done in the last six months that go beyond your role, to justify your argument.

Good skills are in such short supply at the moment, that while they may not have the budget to afford the other role, they may be able to meet you half way. Good luck

How would you feel writing something like this?

"Dear Manager,

I have appreciated the opportunities to learn and grow in this role over the years. The additional tasks over and above my job role that I have been doing are:

• X since 2020
• Y since 2021
• Z since 2022
• most recently, I have also been asked to pick up Q.

In recognition of my ongoing reliability and commitment to the company, I would like my role specification to be updated, I would like a reasonable 20% uplift in salary to reflect the additional duties, and I would like an additional 5 paid hours per week to allow me to absorb Q tasks.

I appreciate you may need to review this request with HR before you can respond, so please let me know a time you are free to discuss this.

Many thanks

@TheJobsworth "

If it's a large organisation they may be pretty rigid in role obligations and it might be difficult to just give you a raise. My first step would be to request a copy of your contract and job description. This will likely prompt a conversation with your immediate manager without you needing to book in a 'talk'.
I think as the job itself suits I'd be angling for more money and recognition for what you're actually doing. Being good at your job and coming up with ideas etc doesn't necessarily warrant a pay increase, neither does Being flexible with hours or doing overtime. Responsibility however does. Being a keyholes is additiinal responsibility. Standing in for the manager is additional responsibility even if it's business as usual. I'd starr by saying that you would like paying appropriately for the additional responsibility taken on for the hours your are 'acting manager'. Present them with a diary of the last month showing the hours when you have effectively been acting manager. If they decline, let them know that from now on you will not act up and will expect a replacement supervisor/manager when yours isn't in. This is what is now known as 'acting your wage'. Ensure conversations are documented even if it's on WhatsApp eg So I'll be cacting manager on Weds evening as agreed 5-10 and always give a 'to be done by' date eg 'Well I'll give you a few days to talk it through with X and I look forward to your response on Friday.

Good luck OP

Something like what Rex has said would work.

I had it sprung on me once. Had no idea it was coming when I went into a meeting with my manager’s manager and the manager above that.

they told me, with big smiles, that my manager was leaving, so until such time as they were replaced I was moving areas to cover their role and line managing a colleague. I somehow managed to make my first words “what’s the additional remuneration?” When the answer was zero, I thanked them for the offer, declined, and said I’d be happy to reconsider if, after consulting with HR, the remuneration was improved.

I followed it up in writing. It did cause my most senior manager to be really pissed off, for all of about a week, and then I got more money (only 10% tho) and did a good job. So all was well.

This! Then keep looking for other jobs.

Very good advice. Good luck, you deserve better for all the loyalty you've given.

Get your job description. Write everything else you do as above this. Present to your manager that you have been keen to learn, happy to support the team however you have come to realise you are doing x, x x which is not in your job role, you are happy to continue however wish your pay to reflect the level of responsibility you have now and expect to be paid xxx. Keep it factual. Try to keep emotions out about people knowing your the go to person to take on extra. Just state you want to be paid properly for your role.

@MRex email is excellent. You are being taken advantage of OP.

As PP have said I think you need to compare your job description with that of whatever the next level is, and highlight to your manager what specific things you have already been doing at the next level and for how long. Then ask for what you want - be specific rather than risking coming across as just complaining about your treatment (which is definitely unfair). The solution you’re offering is that they get to keep a loyal and knowledgeable employee and the skill set you’ve learned in-house. Otherwise I’m sure you would be better appreciated elsewhere so try not to be too disheartened if you don’t get anywhere with your management. Good luck

If you are actually on or even near minimum wage, and some of the extras you are doing take time for which you are not being paid, you immediately have a claim for the extra pay right there. Hopefully some of the excellent advice above will help you find a good and positive way to discuss what you are actually doing/ able to do and that you feel you warrant extra pay for this. Then you can keep a reference to minimum pay requirements in reserve if they still seem to think you can do it all for nothing.

I am dreading going to work next week. I think if I turn down the extra responsibility they could possibly get a bit confrontational with me, and petty. They are like that.

Thanks for all the responses. I am digging out my job description later to see what it says to use it as a frame of reference. This has caused me a lot of stress. I don’t need this on top of all the other stuff I do. It’s minimum wage FFS, I’m not running a big co. as a CEO.

It happens a lot, especially to women. They are taking the piss and sadly, as valuable as you are to them for what you do, they probably won't ever recognise it (even if you leave) I hope it works out, but it's not you - it's them.

Could not agree with this more. Every woman I have worked with (including myself) has experienced this. Scope creep within the role happens gradually so it starts to be expected last standard.

Whereas a male colleague would not put up with this and expect more money, gratitude and a promotion.

Be prepared to leave and move on.

YANBU!!
It's unfair! I've witnessed something similar in my previous job! You need to be paid for what you do, if you're working extra hours then you should get overtime pay.
You're under no legal obligation to fulfil your managers role when you're not getting a managers wage!!
Sometimes we have to put our foot down in life to get ourselves somewhere!
I would make the point in saying you're happy to do the extra work if they will pay you! I'm pretty sure they'll shit themselves if you leave because who will pick up the workload then?
They're taking the piss!! Know your worth!
I hope the situation gets better