To feel pleased about my increased job responsibilities even if it comes with no immediate pay/grade increase

[Lawnyawn]

I started in my role 3 years ago. After 2 years I applied for a promotion in another department and got the offer. My manager asked if I would stay if he promoted me and I said yes so I got the promotion and have worked in a role which hasn’t exactly been THAT different to my previous.

I have been feeling a bit deflated and like I want some progression and development. I was thinking of applying for another role in another team which could lead to promotion to the next grade.

my manager then spoke to me and said their role Is being adjusted and that their manager wants me to take on the team whilst my manager takes a wider manager role.

i was pleased, happy, excited. Finally some real experience to develop my managerial skills.

my hope is this would lead to an in role promotion especially if I do well.

I excitedly told my other half and he seemed a bit perplexed why I would be happy with this with no salary or pay increase. And now I feel a bit deflated and wonder if he’s right?

Is managing people in your job description for your current role?

Assuming not, I'd want my pay to reflect that I had increased responsibilities, especially managerial. Managing people can be hard work, and for no extra money I think at the first sign of difficulty I would be a bit resentful at the additional hassle with no extra money to balance it out. They would be getting more out of me without putting anything extra in themselves. But you can separately be pleased they have seen something in you and have trust in you to want to do it, so I get that.

It does sound like they’re taking advantage but I think it would depend on the culture in your work place. In mine, they use the best people to do all the donkey work for a year then promote some idiot that couldn’t be trusted to make the tea but who has a friend who’s very good at writing personal statements. But if your place usually promotes those acting up, then I might be inclined to swallow it for a while. I’d want an end date though.

But, having said that, they clearly have faith in you, so well done for that.

It’s currently not - no. I guess my hope is that I could either use the experience as a basis for my next promotion/external job or that at the next pay review that this would be adjusted. There is currently a recruitment freeze so there are no promotions or new roles at all at the moment.

They are taking advantage here, increased responsibility should come with increased pay. As you progress your pay goes up, if it doesn't you end up higher up and earning little more than those you are managing plus they can get overtime etc.

Assume you are getting a pay rise and then go and ask what your new pay will be.

It isn't a promotion if your pay hasn't changed.

It might be a good opportunity to gain people management skills though.

I think I'd feel taken advantage of if I was asked to work at a more senior level without a change if title or pay.

Your pay needs to reflect your increase in responsibilities. Your pay may be adjusted at your next review, but it will be adjusted from your current base pay and not your increase in responsibilities. Why was pay not discussed with your manager?

I think they are completely taking advantage of you.

I'd be looking for a new job - this lot aren't going to respect your abilities and what you do and they certainly aren't going to pay you what you're worth.

Thanks all. I feel like he offered me the role and I just took it as ultimately I’m not happy in my current role. It’s too boring and no development.

I was almost overly keen. He was like have a think I know it’s a lot to ask etc. I was like no I’d love to!!! Ugh I wish I had bitten my tongue and said I’d think about it. I just didn’t want to lose the chance.

Could you approach it like it's obvious that it would come with a pay rise? Work out what pay range would be expected for the role, then tomorrow you can say "I don't think you mentioned what the salary increase would be to reflect the additional responsibilities?"

That way you put the awkwardness onto him having to explain why there's no salary increase

Did you get a new title out of it? If you are quite new in your career and need to get some management experience on paper that you currently lack, well you could look at it as a strategic career move, better than beating yourself up about it anyway. But don't let your self get stuck, make sure you apply that experience to a "real" promotion, within no more than twelve months.

Also, it gives you a chance to turn it down if there isn't a pay rise, because clearly additional responsibility comes with a pay rise, so they're the ones being unreasonable

If you're actually legitimately going to use it to do the role for say 6 months then use it to apply for a promotion with a pay rise then fine. But if you think there's a chance you'll just be stuck doing the same job or if there's no decent pay rise at the next pay review then I can see why your dh thinks its a bit off.

Yes I think that's the danger, that you just get stuck

Take it, do it really well and then ask for a review of your pay in 6 months time.

You're probably in a Catch 22 where.you can't apply to promote as you haven't any management experience. If other tedious parts of your role are being removed in favour of the management aspect I'd go for it, it doesn't have to be forever.

Is there none monetary gain eg experience, training and courses that you could then use on next application?

On one hand they ought to give you more money for more responsibility, but on the other you can use this to help you get a promotion or better paid job elsewhere as the experience will be valuable. It depends how much you mind the interim doing more for the same money

I’ve been strung along with this for years.

Do this extra work and it’ll be great exposure for you and look great in an interview etc etc and nothing ever amounts from it.

I too would go back to ask for a copy of the JD for the role and ask what pay grade/banding it will be. I agree- it puts the awkwardness back at your boss and its a very reasonable ask! If they say there is no extra pay- I'd then ask when that would change? IF you really want the role, I'd do it for experience but look elsewhere whilst doing it.

Years ago, I was in a vaguely similar position. I was only agency, and after a year was asked to take on the Acting lead role. At the time, I too, never thought to ask about a pay increase, as assumed they meant for a week or 2. After a month and when I got my pay- I noticed no difference and asked. I pointed out that I was managing the team, had more responsibility etc and wasn't getting paid more. It was shrugged off, but wasn't too taxing, an ok wage and a 5min walk from my home- so I stuck with it.

Long story short, unknown to me, I'd been earmarked for an even bigger promotion. After 3mths at the acting role, I was asked to apply for the associate director role, another grade higher! I got the job and it was paid at nearly 3x the original agency role!

If there is a freeze at your company though, this is unlikely, but sometimes sticking it out for a while can be beneficial in the long run.

You should at least ask for a change of title to reflect your new role.

OP... while I understand. You do know that they're taking the piss right?

They're using you. They could pay you more but you'll roll over and do it for no extra money.

They're making a mug out of you.