All I asked for was for my job description to reflect what I actually do

[Foslady]

HR agreed I had a good case. 4 weeks later I had to ask for an update to be told a flat 'no'. I asked if I could have the reasons why so I could see how I could look to career progress (as at the moment I'm regularly asked to do work above my level). After another week of silence I've asked to speak with my sort of line manager (don't actually have one) and the team director (small firm works close with the team).

From what I can gather they want to call me on for a slapping down. The work I'm being asked to do and my job description are miles apart and It could potentially cause issues if I get things wrong. The reason I want to talk is that I now don't know where my role lies and if there is no chance to progress within my department, but I get the feeling that they are going to use it to bollock me.

It has been acknowledged that I'm working far harder and at a higher level than the person who used to work alongside me doing the same job for substantially more pay. Since he left he hasn't been replaced sonI'm also covering their hours, learning another role and also have got us up to date on the work.

I work well with the team and I'm popular with them.

Surely I'm not so wrong for wanting advice from them? I'm on the verge of tears - I need to work but surely it's not right to make you afraid to question if you're working within your contract? If anything went wrong I could be disciplined for doing stuff over and above my level (and I have been asked by said directors directly to do this work). I genuinely am afraid of he meeting now, but also afraid of overstepping what I am supposed to do.

You need to give more details, OP. What do you actually do and what's in your job description? I used to be a HR director, changed fields

I'm down as admin but I'm performing a technical role - creating formulations for consumption that if went wrong could cause issues and damage the company reputation at the very least. Can't say too much as it would be outing. I feel as if I'm in limbo

Request in writing an agenda for the meeting. Are you in a union? Can you yake someone with you. Take notes.

Thank you - No union sadly (I don't know which one would take me tbh). The Line Manager is pretty neutral so that's why I'm taking him in and definitely going to take notes. (And take my notes in with me). Seeing as I requested the meeting i don't know if they'd be prepared to send an agenda (especially as HR have been very distant when I have emailed my requests to them).

Job specs dont hold that much weighting tbh OP, especially as most companies have a clause in their contracts that you can be given any work that is reasonably within your level and also not forgetting that "and any other duties as required by the business" that is usually at the end of a spec.

its what you actually do the forms your job role, and assuming there is someone giving you the work and someone you give the work back to, then I cant really see any problem in terms of you worrying about overstepping your mark as you are just following management instruction.

Its possible they are being a bit as it could come across that you are one of those "well thats not in my job spec so I aint doing it" types (it doesn't come across as that to me btw)

If the issue is you doing a higher level of work and responsibility for no additional recognition in terms of salary then I'd go down that road rather than tackle it via the job spec route as generally when it comes down to it they aren't really worth the paper they are printed on which may explain their dithering about it.

"creating formulations for consumption that if went wrong could cause issues and damage the company reputation"

Does this officially require training or certification that you dont have?

If so, I expect the reason they are not prepared to officially change your job role is that they can currently say "oh, we didnt know she was doing it!" when an issue comes up, and you'll be screwed. If they make it your official job role then they are officially saying "we know she was doing this without being qualified".

It also gives you grounds in future job negotiations to say "the salary range for this job is x, thats the salary I deserve for this role" and to potentially go to another company in that role if you dont get it.

There is no need for an agenda for this sort of meeting I dont think as it sonly to discuss one point really and certainly not a union rep/companion, they would probably not be allowed into such a meeting anyway.

Just start with "thanks for agreeing to meet with me, I just wanted to seek some clarification on my role to ensure I am performing it correctly, blah blah blah ...................its my understanding that my role was originally X and now its organically grown into Y blah blah blah..............." and then present your issue. (IMO)

I recommend you take legal advice on the grounds that you are being discrimated by being paid less for doing the role which was done by a male employee. A colleague of mine was successful in a case like yours.

Thank you so much everyone - I genuinely wasn't sure if this was me. I actually feel a bit calmer now (I suffer from anxiety as it is so this has sent it into overdrive!). I now feel as if I do have genuine grounds so not me being unreasonable

OP wouldn't get very far with that - there is no current employee at the same company for OP to compare her salary too. All thats happened is someone has left and OP took the job at the salary offered. No discrimination whatsoever in that.

I would be concerned that your line manager is only 'neutral'. Presumably he/she is the one asking you to do these tasks in the first place.

Obviously HR would have taken advice from your manager and I imagine the team director about what your job is before responding, so I'm assuming the reluctance is coming from the team director.

You need to request reasons why your job description can't be updated to include the tasks you are being asked to do, and clarification that if they don't want those tasks to be part of your job description, you won't be asked to complete them again.

I'm not generally a fan of must-include-absolutely-everything job descriptions, or people who insist that if something isn't specifically listed, they won't do it. However this sounds different, this sounds like a whole significant and different area of responsibility is being omitted, so I think it's reasonable not to expect to have to do it if it's not part of your role.

That's what I thought Gah so have only mentioned it in confidence to HR (after it was agreed) when Ithey asked about salary increase, I just said I knew what he had been on, didn't expect that amount as I do not have a degree (have the practical experience and a lower qualification the suited the position).

Not sure if that's why they are being like they are (hope this isn't seen as a dripfeed as I did tell them I didn't expect that kind of pay) - sincere apologies if so, I really didn't think it was relevant

I have been asked to do the extra tasks by direct email from the MD!

Flowery would that not come under refusal to carry out a reasonable management instruction though if the work even though different is still within the employees capabilities?

(sorry just picking your brains :) )

Daft thing is it's actually the part of the job that I love.....

Update if anyone is interested, meeting went as well as I could hope.
I was informed that the job description I had been given wasn't the full one......

Sounds like bs to me. They are expanding your role without paying for it. It is their responsibility to give you the correct job description in the first place.
I would find a union tbh.