I’m an admin working with a General manager and a Sales manager (D). The Gen manager gave notice 3 months ago and the sales manager applied for her role in addition to her own, but wasn’t successful; the outgoing Gen manager and CEO both felt she was already struggling to cover just her own responsibilities; she had threatened to walk out several times in the year she’s been here, that a dual role manager would leave the business exposed day to day, and even more so when she went on leave, without cover for either role. However, they couldn’t recruit a replacement for the Gen Mgr, so the Sales manager asked if she could cover both roles on an interim basis in the hope she will prove she can do so permanently.
They agreed, and she apparently has 8 weeks to prove herself. However, it’s worth mentioning the company and area are unappealing and it’s difficult to attract staff – both roles were difficult to fill originally, and the senior management don’t seem care about what happens here very much – it’s likely, unless there is a serious incident here, that she will keep both roles as this saves them a lot of money.
A client asked D if she was getting 2 salaries for 2 jobs and D replied that it was under discussion. It’s reasonable to say she will be getting remunerated or she would not have stepped up – she is keen to get ahead and very money-orientated.
She is already pushing sales tasks my way that she had previously done herself, and I’ve never done in the 14 years I’ve been here but I accept they’re covered in my job description as well as hers.
What wasn’t in there was Saturday working. The outgoing Gen manager and Sales manager work alternate Saturdays. D tried to have Saturday working scrapped when she took over both roles but the directors say it’s essential to have a manager in and it must continue. D has asked me to work the alternate Saturday with her – she has grandchildren and wants to see them at weekends. I also have children, though they are 15 and 17, but they play sports at the weekend. I parkrun Saturday mornings with husband & one or both of them and coach the juniors every Saturday 2-4pm. My husband works 4 days on 4 days off, so ends up working 4 consecutive Saturdays. I’m sure the kids could sort public transport, taxis, or lift share but I’d still miss watching and supporting them.
I have asked if they are ok with the arrangements and they aren’t. My husband in particular is unhappy that what he sees as somebody else’s ambition/greed has meant 50% of our family weekends will be impacted. I think in time they’ll come round – they just don’t like the idea. I’ll get a day off midweek in lieu but to be honest, if I’m an admin covering a managerial role, I’d like a pay increase.
At present, I’m only just above minimum wage. When D asked me to cover manager duty every other week, I said that I’m not qualified. I don’t have CCTV badge or H&S accreditation to check Risk Assessments, or the training to make critical decisions. That’s part of the reason the Sales manager is on £35k and the Gen manager £45k. I’m on £21k.
D said it was just a case of having a body on site so the tenants know there’s someone here. Anything I can’t handle, I just call her. She said that doesn’t warrant a pay rise. When I said it would have to be a no then, as I’d be lone working with no managerial support on site, and if she was uncontactable for some reason when I needed her authority to do something, it’s a big responsibility. It also involves significant disruption to family life, some expense, and I took this job because it was Mon – Fri. D said to see how I get on and we might be able to look at a pay rise in time, because she will be giving me more responsibilities once she’s established in the dual role. But any pay increase would be after I’ve accepted more work, not before. This seems like a rubbish deal.
I’m all for being a team player and supporting my manager – it’s part of my job, but not at my own expense and that of my family. I’m nearly 60 and while a pay increase would be very welcome, I’m not pushing for more responsibilities at present as we have elderly parents not in the best health and want to be able to give them some support too, not take on more at work. Is this unreasonable?