To refuse something that isn’t in my job description?

[Tequillalemon]

I am currently being asked to do more than my job description - like many people nowadays - worried I will lose my job if I don’t but what I am being asked to do does not follow policy and isn’t safe, and not what I thought the job entailed.

My job description has lots of points in but my main duties are advice and guidance.

Now being asked to clean, do basic diy, tip runs, moving heavy things etc. As this is not in my job description what happens if I was to have an accident or break something?

Not actually sure on my role anymore and I have voiced my concerns. They either change my job description to reflect the new duties or I don’t do it.

Where do I stand?

AIBU?

It was over 20 years ago so no idea if it was in the job description but I'd imagine it was. As support workers, we were responsible for the effective running of the unit which included prepping voids alongside supporting the young people, doing the relevant paperwork etc. It was my most hated part of the job though!

I work with people that need support around their general day to day living

that absolutely do not include what you are listing I work in management now and it’s a battle with senior management who are cutting back costs on what they expect staff to do

I woudl be careful of taking on these added unreasonable taskes as more will just be added on. Start mentioning I do not this this is safe for me or I can do this safely and always by email

you are likely to have in your team someone who will do absolutely anything asked and more good management shouldn’t take advance of this

ots managements problem not yours and for them to work out how these tasks get done

Speak to your heath and safety rep (they are legally required to have one!). In terms of whether you have to do this or not I don't know but they must train you in manual handling and there should be a risk assessment covering this aspect of the job. If any load is too heavy / inappropriate for your body size then you should not be carrying it. You are under no obligation to use your own car for this, what if you didn't have one? Ask to see all relevant H&S docs and if you need advice go to Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Also ask AI (Co-Pilot is my fav) in detail what their obligations are. Very useful for knowing your rights as it reads all the legal shizzle for you!

I would refuse to do this point blank.

They are just trying to avoid employing & paying for a properly insured clean-up team/caretaker with access to a van to do the job correctly.

Tell them that you are not able to do this as you cannot physically carry these items or use your own car to do it.

There are all sorts of obligations on your company around health and safety at work. Risk assessments and training for you, you need to be signing these off to show you’ve done the training too before you go anywhere near the tasks.You’ll need manual handling, working at height if having to step up onto anything, perhaps confined spaces, control of hazardous substances, there’s quite a few depending on what you are being asked to do. Yes to business insurance on your car and the company should be asking for a copy of your motor certificate to ensure you are insured for business! Alsoyes to the tip possibly not taking”commercial waste”.

If you are an efficient worker as it is, I would tell them that you don't have the capacity. Say you think that working with young people should be a priority in the role that your are in because it's more relevant to your skills but if they feel that turning around void flats is a higher priority then you are happy to do this but they will need to reduce some of your other tasks.

If you take on too much, you will burn out and leave anyway. Make sure you are working efficiently, then take a realistic look at what you can manage and set boundaries. I've had this at work before, if you don't set boundaries people just pile you up with work and you end miserable and in a position where you want to leave anyway.

Hi OP

From an employers liability perspective (are they liable) it doesn't really matter if something was in your job description or not from the sense of 'are you covered for injury', as there is an acknowledgement that employees are in a position of weakness when being asked to do tasks by their employer. So technically employees are covered for injury even if they're doing a task privately for their boss (eg walking their dog at lunchtime when they're in a clerical role). If you did get injured, what the courts and the insurers would be more worried about would be if they'd taken all precautions to keep you safe:

• do you have the right equipment for the role
• have you been formally trained on how to use it
• has a risk assessment been completed and documented foe these tasks
• what procedures are there in place if something goes wrong. Eg if you're meant to be cleaning a flat by yourself, there should be a system of you checking in (eg message your manager when you get there with what time you expect to leave and messaging when you're about to leave) so that they know to come and investigate if you haven't checked in.

What's within or outside your job description is more a case of contractual disputes You need to check your car insurance covers you for things like tip trips as that's quite different for travelling as part of your role.