Being told to do work that isn't in my job description...where do I stand? Please help!

[Canyoucheckonme]

I work for a small charity and have done for a few years. Last year, due to them promoting other people in my small team, they were short staffed and needed someone to step in and deliver a couple of courses (our users are vulnerable people). I'm not qualified or trained, though I am a trained and experienced course facilitator (for a different course). I wasn't happy, but manager pulled on my heart strings so I agreed to help them out temporarily. There's now a recruitment freeze, huge period of change, potential job losses etc (all very stressful!) and she's now told me I have to do more of these courses, but I've said no! She's obviously not happy, and said to think about it.

My question is, am I right to stand my ground and refuse to deliver any more of these courses? They take me away from my main job role, which isn't course delivery. Or am I being awkward, especially as, like my boss said, I'm experienced now and I do enjoy them (not the point as far as I'm concerned).

My main issue is that I've never been given a pay rise, job title change or any other recognition or benefit...maybe I'm a mug for agreeing to take on more responsibility in the first place.

Just checked my job description and this is the usual bit at the end - not sure what to do to be honest? Please help!

To undertake any other reasonable duties which are commensurate with the grade and responsibilities of the post as directed by the Chief Executive Officer in accordance with the objectives for the XX operational plans.

XXXX, consequently many of the tasks and responsibilities are unpredictable and varied. It is therefore expected that all staff will work in a flexible, resilient and confidential manner when required, undertaking tasks that have not been specifically covered in their job description.

Whoever did the courses before, were they paid more than you?

This is the key bit here

So your JD basically says that you can be asked to do other stuff which is outside of core role if it's needed. Which this course delivery is.
If you think you deserve some extra consideration eg recognition, pay, title then ask for it. If you need qualifications or credentials to do the course and you don't have this, then log your concerns in writing saying you don't have the necessary and you are concerned.
If you just can't be bothered then yabu

It's a difficult situation, but I think YABU. What is it you want from them? If it's more pay and/or recognition, that's fine, but it doesn't solve the problem that you're being taken away from your contracted work. If you just don't want to do it, then you'll be setting yourself up for a hard time, I imagine.

Personally, I wouldn't be making too much of a fuss about it if redundancies are on the line. Is it fair? No, but it's reality, unfortunately.

Are you being asked to work longer hours? Is it actually harder or just different?
Are you worried about potentially being made redundant?
Personally, if it was me and I wanted to keep my job, I’d be doing what I was asked within reason.
You say you enjoy doing it? If it’s not longer hours or a lot more difficult then I can’t quite work out what your problem is? You suggest that your job may already be at risk? If you’re not fussed about having to look elsewhere than that’s fine but at point in time when they’re having to make cut backs then being difficult about what you’re being asked to do will not get you goodwill points. If this doesn’t matter then stick to your guns.
I’d be trying to be a little bit flexible. I get asked to do all sorts of things that aren’t in my job description🤷🏼‍♀️

Parts of my role changes fairly frequently to meet the needs of the business. It’s common to be asked to do things differently.
if you think you deserve a pay rise and promotion for doing this extra work, then ask for one. If they are asking you to do this on top of your normal workload and you don’t have the time to do both roles, then say so. And ask what they would want you to drop in order to do the courses if that’s how they would prefer you spend your time?
job descriptions aren’t much use I find

I think tbh I'd wait until the next round of redundancies are over. Anything extra you add to your role that others don't mean they will keep you over them.

Just saying 'no' will make it look like you're being inflexible as well as not fulfilling the terms of your contract.

However ...

If you haven't been given a payrise, or any recognition for what you've done, now is the time to be more assertive. But be assertive in a positive way.

Thank them for the opportunity to take on more responsibility, and agree that it's something that you like and you're good at (you must be, otherwise they wouldn't ask you to do it), but point out that it's an extra responsibility, and takes you away from your main job. You're very happy to do it, but you feel that this extra role requires that you be remunerated more - and have a figure in mind that you want them to give you.

If they won't meet you at least halfway, then it's probably time to look for another role elsewhere. (But don't just say no without any further discussion and negotiation that will benefit you as well as them)

Two issues to resolve in my view:

1. As a pp said, do others who deliver these courses get paid more than you? Or have access to training or perks that you don't. If so then that should be addressed or you have a good case to say it's not woke commensurate with your role

1. Do you have capacity to do it? Charities (and I work for one) are awful for piling more work onto people and expecting people to do more and more. If you're taking extra work on then it's reasonable to ask what you should stop doing, to make time for it. If you end up dropping core parts of your current role, you may be able to reasonably argue it's not the same.job anymore.

I have worked for charities for quite a while and this is very typical of the behaviour of management: using people's good will (staff and volunteers) to plug the gaps rather than recruiting the required number of staff members.

Also why are they running these courses if they don't have a dedicated trainer?

It is likely that the charity receives funding/grants to run these courses and the costs of the trainer was factored into the initial funding bid and project plan for the courses delivery.

Meaning they are trying to use you to save money.

I would indeed put your foot down. You should make it clear to your manager that you cannot do both roles in your allocated hours and that if they want you to continue your manager will have to reduce your other duties. Also ask for your title and pay to reflect your new responsibilities.

My role / the ask has changed multiple times in various jobs.

If I just plain old don't want to do it:
It's a No I don't want to do that

If it's a workload issue: I do A and B. I can do C but need to drop A or B - which is it?

If it's money:
I'd say yeah sure I can do A B and C for you but you'll need to pay me X extra a year....

Thank you all. To answer some questions:

1. Yes, previous person got paid more. I believe the other person who does these courses gets paid more, too
2. I asked for my job title to be changed to reflect that I spend most of my time delivering courses now last September, and was told no.
3. I also asked for a pay rise last September and was told there was no budget.
4. We have recently lost the contract and are going through a TUPE process. So no changes can now be made to either points 3 or 4 I believe.
5. I've always been told in the past if I want more training / qualifications (I very much do) then I'd have to do them in my own time and pay for them myself.
6. No, the courses are within my working hours, but yes, they are very much taking me away from my core responsibilities.

I'm hoping to secure a role with the new organisation who won the contract, when they take over in the spring. So I need to preserve my reputation for being flexible, open and willing, and a team player. I just feel like a mug at the moment for mopping up the dirty work because others got promoted (we couldn't recruit any managers externally as the pay is so dire, hence having to recruit from within...).

I work part-time term-time and these courses stress me out. I'm only earning a tiny bit above minimum wage (can't wait until April so I get a pay rise - I'm in my early 40s btw).

I started off in this (teeny tiny local) charity as a volunteer a few years ago, and worry they take advantage of my good nature. Manager does the head tilt and tries to charm me with a pleading voice like "oh but the families need this! We need to meet the needs of our users and you're sooooo good at what you do!" (I am, but I'm feeling taken for granted and have repeatedly expressed concerns around my lack of qualifications in this area, that others were paid more, and that I don't have capacity without burning out... I feel ignored tbh).

Far too many of us are doing too much for too little.
You could say yes in exchange for a promotion and pay rise. Don't agree without serious negotiation.

If you enjoy doing the courses then I would do them as asked and only do the bits of the rest of the job I could manage within my working hours, pointing out that you can only do what is humanly possible if questioned on it.

The more flexible and accommodating you are, the safer your job will be, generally speaking.

If times are tough, any pay rise would be given begrudgingly anyway and as you say the TUPE affects the situation too as I think salary costs will have been provided (but I’m not an expert).

I would sit tight, let the dust settle and take a view once the TUPE is complete. See how the land lies and if you aren’t happy, negotiate or make a move. In the meantime, be flexible and seen to honour that final bit of your JD.

I'd also be looking for another job in the interim. One that pays you a proper salary!

You're definitely being taken advantage of @Canyoucheckonme. They're banking on your loyalty, while not showing any loyalty to you.

What is your main role?
Are these courses benefiting those who participate? Would you be taking away from people if you chose not to do them?

I would sit tight, let the dust settle and take a view once the TUPE is complete. See how the land lies and if you aren’t happy, negotiate or make a move. In the meantime, be flexible and seen to honour that final bit of your JD.

Great advice. No use rocking the bait at the money. Hang tight, be flexible.

And if nothing changes in spring, look for new job.

It’s difficult for you to argue that you cannot run the courses as you have run them before at your current salary. Your contract of employment covers this work although it’s not in your main job description. You enjoy running the courses. So overall, in the current climate you find yourself in, I would do the work as requested by your manager but discuss which other parts of your job you may be unable to prioritise due to lack of time. Leave it a few months and decide then whether to seek promotion in your current job, if available or look for another post if you are not happy.

Many years ago, I was on the board of a local branch of a national charity. We had a gap between one key member of staff leaving and the recruitment of a replacement. Another member of staff was asked to help cover the role and was paid an 'honouranium', sort of like a one off bonus. This would overcome points 3 & 4 of your list. I'm sure it didn't full recompose the member of staff but it did show our appreciation of her extra work. Ask for this.

I suggest you ask for your main role to be adjusted - doesn't have to be a full blown job description change, more like 'If I do this training course, what do you want me to not do' type conversation. If the push back is 'I want everything done' - say something like 'I'd like to help, but there are only so many hours in the day even if I choose to work them all and I can't fit my main role and the training aspect into those hours. Tell me what bits to drop / pass on and I'll do the training.'

Your manager thinks she has you completely over a barrel - she doesn't.

Thanks everyone - you're really helping me.

@UpUpUpU My job title is Community Engagement. I have two other aspects of my job role (I won't put them on here as they're totally outing as one is niche!). I've just checked my emails and I asked my line manager last September if a change in job title would be possible to reflect the shift in my core responsibilities - she said "not at this time".

@DPotter I wish you worked on our board/SLT! That sounded like a perfect temporary solution, meaning the employee felt acknowledged and valued. So many people have left in the past 12 months (as we knew the contract was up and likely we would lose it) and it feels like there has been more and more work piled on to those who've stayed, for no extra money or perks.

I've been looking for a new job for a while, but I'm better off sitting tight and seeing what happens in April/May. My contract is permanent and I have protection and rights under TUPE. The charity who have won the contract are national and have a good reputation. I'm very experienced, trained and skilled in one aspect of my job that I know will be useful to the new contract provider, so I'm hopeful to get a job with them continuing to do what I love (for more than Nat Min wage...! Though it's a council contract and of course there's been yet another budget cut 🙄)

I’ve worked in charities for over 20 years and this is par for the course for the small ones, it’s just a mentality borne of scarce resources. If your main role has an income target, then ask for that to be adjusted - I’m a fundraiser so I always make the point that being pulled away from that impacts income - otherwise I’d just do it, and look for another job if I wasn’t happy.

There's now a recruitment freeze, huge period of change, potential job losses etc (all very stressful!)

Before kicking up a fuss, consider what you have written here.

Make yourself even more useful to them.

I work for a charity and we have an Extra Responsibilities Allowance that is given when situations like this arise. Can you ask about an uplift for a set period?