Not mentioned on the job description

[sjiojj]

Without giving too much away...

I recently started a new job, it's entry level, quite poorly paid. The job description was about three pages long and I read this very carefully before starting.

After starting they told me I would be expected to do something that was not mentioned on the job description. This particular task is quite daunting for me, and I have to say if I knew about it before I probably wouldn't have taken the job.

I haven't had to do this task yet, but one manager has expressed concerns that I may not be able to do it. If I cant they will almost certainly sack me.

I feel like I'm such a disappointment because I can't do it, but is it totally me fault if it wasn't on the JD? Is it worth me raising this at all?

What’s the task...?

It's very rare that a job description will contain absolutely every task that you'll ever be asked to do, in my experience. Was there a clause along the lines of "other work as and when according to business needs"?

What's the task? Would it be considered reasonable for you to carry out this task in the scope of your role? Did the job description include the catch all "any other duties/tasks as required..."

@PolkerrisBeach the job description says I would have to provide support and assistance with this task, but the reality is I would have to be the sole person doing it with no help or support.

Unless it's something that the employer could reasonably expect all applicants to be able to do (read, basic maths and similar) then the job description is sadly lacking.

They've spent time and money selecting you; hopefully they'll take steps to include this skill in your training if it's so essential to the job.

Unless, of course, you're the non-driving social worker we've seen posting here on previous occasions!

2 threads? I doubt you would initially be expected to undertake it alone, with no support or training, and you can certainly ask for that. Is it that you lack confidence and know how or just won't/can't do it. How often are you likely to be required to undertake it.

Ds started a job only to find he was expected to clean the loos at the end of the day!? Bloody cheek not to mention it in the job description.

”Is it worth me raising this at all?”

Well yes absolutely, don’t just accept it without comment. Explain your concerns to your manager and ask what training or support is available.

Totally raise it. But in a 'what support can I have to do this to the standard you need' way, not in a 'it's not in my JD' way.

Also try to get to the bottom of why you're doing something that you'd normally support on. Is it something usually allocated to a higher grade - if so, squirrel that away for a future pay rise conversation!

the job description says I would have to provide support and assistance with this task

OK so it isn't a bolt out of the blue, there was some reference to it, which from their perspective they might say they've covered it to some extent. Presumably this activity is currently being done by someone else, as the JD states 'support and assistance', so hopefully they aren't asking you to start from scratch, and there is someone around who is currently doing it.

Can you suggest to them that you spend time with whoever is currently doing that activity and learn it from them?

Seems a shame not to pick up a new skill just because it wasn't given prime-time on the JD.

If you feel they are absolutely taking the P by making you do something that is almost a full time job, then you need to raise it soon. If they sack you over it, then they are very foolish, having gone through all the recruitment process, to have got you in on false pretences.