Work trying to make me do the work without promoting me- AIBU to say no?

[ThatsNotMyJob]

I’ve worked at my job for 5 years. I love it, I feel like I’m actively doing something good, my boss is great and it’s really flexible around family/kids. The only issue is it’s not the best paid, I could get more if I was willing to change, but I like the company and I’m happy to be paid less and have a happier life.
a few months ago my manager told me she’s leaving. Not the most shocking news, pay isn’t great so lots of people leave to increase their wages. I spoke to my manager and her manager and we agreed that I would like to have her role, and that we could look at doing it as a quick internal vacancy. Did the interview and was told they’d like me to take on the role! Great! Then this week, the senior manager has told me that there’s a recruitment freeze and they’re not able to replace my manager. She’s asked me to take on the responsibilities of the role, without the title/promotion or pay increase. The company has form for doing this and then not replacing the person because the work is being done.

I’m so upset. Would I be unreasonable to refuse to take on any of her work at all? Or am I just cutting my nose off to spite my face and I should suck it up and take on the extra work with the theory that it’ll put me in good stead for when they can do pay rises? I like my job and don’t want to leave, but I don’t want them to take advantage of me

I think it depends on a number of things. I work in Higher Education, in the professional services. It's very rare that higher graded jobs come up, however, you can apply centrally if you have been working consistently above the expected responsibilities, due to either someone leaving, or the way we work changing. Due to the pandemic, a lot of our work changed significantly (and we had staff leaving), so I was able to apply on both aspects. It wasn't easy, but it gave me the pay raise for what I' was already doing - when the Uni just didn't have the vacancies in the field in which I work.
I fully get that in other companies it's your potential to do something that can (and probably should in all fields) get you the promotion opportunity.

Then this week, the senior manager has told me that there’s a recruitment freeze and they’re not able to replace my manager.

I'd just reply that you totally understand and are happy staying in and continuing to do the work of your present role.

As someone who by the sound of it works in similar industry and has been working several years with gaps in my teams (with me doing all the work ) , I say DONT DO IT . The whole point of recruitment freezing is a financial decision. If you demonstrate that you can effectively do both jobs for your current rate , you will make the post redundant and there will be no reason to recruit to it .

Forewarned is forearmed and all that .

How cheeky! I would just express that you're still interested in the role, that you're disappointed to hear the company has suddenly frozen promotions/recruitment after you were interviewed and offered the promotion. Please let know when you're able to promote me as discussed but for now I'm happy to continue in my current role....

Thanks everyone. I’ll get my shit together and have a proper discussion with them on Monday and make it clear that I either get the job with it’s duties, title and pay. Or I don’t and I won’t be doing it if I don’t get it.

If they at least gave you the title you would then have that on your CV so in a few months you could apply for a better job and then be able to get a big pay rise…..or would that be even possible?

How formal was their job offer to you? They may possibly already be in breach of contract (IANAL).

https://www.gov.uk/job-offers-your-rights

They could probably pay an honorarium little bit extra and give you an 'interim' role - can you ask for that? And some of your current work to be reduced?

Then you can use this experience and interim title on your applications for jobs elsewhere