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Original poster

Job description amendments

10 replies

Zimunya · 06/07/2023 16:58

Hi Mumsnetters. Not really a legal dilemma - I'm just looking for some advice. In the role I do, I've taken on quite a few extra tasks, some inherited from far more senior people. I'm more than happy to do the work - but I have been asked to re-write my job description, to include all the extra tasks. I'm concerned about doing this, as the tasks will then become my job, and I won't be able to leverage them at appraisal time to say, "I did my job well, as well as all this extra stuff". (Because the "extra" stuff won't be extra anymore, if it's included in the job description.) I'm not looking for a pay increase or a promotion - but I do want to to be able to show at the end of the year that I've gone over and above. Does this make sense? And if so, is there any legal, or suggested, wording I can use to politely decline this request from my LM?

OP posts:
swanling · 06/07/2023 17:02

How were you planning to "leverage" it in your appraisal if you're not after a pay rise or promotion? Why aren't you after either of those?

Surely the answer is to "leverage" it now.

Original poster
Zimunya · 06/07/2023 17:54

If we can show that we’ve gone over and above at appraisal time we get a decent bonus. If I just include it now, it just becomes part of my job, right? As I haven’t taken in the full responsibilities of the senior staff member that left, I think I’m unlikely to get a promotion on the back of picking up some of the slack.

OP posts:
thinkfast · 06/07/2023 17:59

I think divide the job description into 2 sections OP. One with current tasks and then a section for additional and higher level tasks. Show it to your manager and explain that you'd like a pay rise if you're being asked to included the additional and higher level tasks in your role

strongtsandcs · 06/07/2023 18:01

Job descriptions are just for reference, not a legal contract.

strongtsandcs · 06/07/2023 18:02

Why are they asking you to rewrite it? Seems weird....

Original poster
Zimunya · 06/07/2023 18:06

thinkfast · 06/07/2023 17:59

I think divide the job description into 2 sections OP. One with current tasks and then a section for additional and higher level tasks. Show it to your manager and explain that you'd like a pay rise if you're being asked to included the additional and higher level tasks in your role

This is good advice. Thanks

OP posts:
Original poster
Zimunya · 06/07/2023 18:08

strongtsandcs · 06/07/2023 18:02

Why are they asking you to rewrite it? Seems weird....

It’s quite a regulated industry, so they’re keen for the JD to accurately reflect the role. Agree that a JD is not the same as a legal contract. But it is used when assessing one’s performance …

OP posts:
swanling · 06/07/2023 18:22

Zimunya · 06/07/2023 17:54

If we can show that we’ve gone over and above at appraisal time we get a decent bonus. If I just include it now, it just becomes part of my job, right? As I haven’t taken in the full responsibilities of the senior staff member that left, I think I’m unlikely to get a promotion on the back of picking up some of the slack.

"I went so far over and above my role that we had to write a new job description to reflect how much I was doing."

A payrise is generally better than a bonus.

I understand your reasoning but if they recognise you're doing so much that your job spec needs updating then now is the time to have the conversation about rewards for that.

Declining so you can save your extra work for appraisal credit will come off transparently as gaming. Just have the conversation now.

Original poster
Zimunya · 06/07/2023 19:35

@swanling - this is fair. Thank you for taking the time to respond.

OP posts:
TizerorFizz · 07/07/2023 18:12

Since the JD is linked to pay (and differentiation of pay and non discriminatory pay) it is something that affects a contract of employment and certainly written particulars. I agree with others, negotiate a new salary based on your new JD.

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