Grievance?

[lululu16]

Hi ,
Please could you let me know if this case could warrant filing a grievance against an employer

Scenario:
-Employee applies for secondment to cover maternity post 2 grades higher than the salary they are on
-employee is unsuccessful in getting job due to lack of transferable skills (not true but anyway..!)
-noone is employed in the secondment position

• secondment position tasks are then given to employee who was unsuccessful in getting the position

Many thanks

Not really grievance material.

Said unsuccessful employee should refuse to do those tasks as they are:

1 - Tasks from a job two grades higher
2 - Tasks are not under remit of unsuccessful employee's current job description

If the employer pushes that the unsuccessful employee has no choice but to do those tasks, then it becomes grievance material.

Unclear from your post whether the unsuccessful employee has pushed back on those two points.

If it was (rightly or wrongly) believed that the employee didn't have the skills for the secondment, then either a) they don't have the skills to take on the tasks transferred to them or b) it is a subset of tasks that it is believed is within their remit. That's a conversation the employee should be having with their manager. The employee also needs to have a discussion re workload if they are expected to take on lots of extra tasks on top of their current workloads.

Unlike PP, I wouldn't refuse to do the tasks, I'd use it as an opportunity to prove your worth, as a stepping stone to a higher level, BUT whilst ensuring the workload is not unreasonable.

From what you've written though, I don't believe this is grounds for a grievance at this point.

"I wouldn't refuse to do the tasks, I'd use it as an opportunity to prove your worth, as a stepping stone to a higher level, BUT whilst ensuring the workload is not unreasonable."

So basically do a job, two grades higher, for no extra pay?

Fuck that. You might wanna be a mug to "develop" yourself, but that shit doesnt pay peoples bills. Seriously awful advice. 🤦‍♂️

So basically do a job, two grades higher, for no extra pay? Fuck that. You might wanna be a mug to "develop" yourself, but that shit doesnt pay peoples bills.

I started on the shop floor, retired as an overpaid professional. The wiseguys who didn't "wanna be a mug" were still on the shop floor, after 35 years.

Happy for your success.

But your story is not one that happens everywhere. Lots of variables involved.

Thank you for the replies!
The employee was told they were unsuccessful last Friday
The tasks have been added to workload this week (Snuck in and added to the rota!)
Employee has worked butt off for 20 years and is in the same position - they would be well-suited to the secondment but we believe they are so good at their current job, it would cause too much hassle for the employer to allow them to move

I don't believe that it's grievance material. I would go with o bosses and say I notice that extra work has been added to my total this week. I'm happy to do it but can't do it along with my existing work load so which tasks would you like me to not do or off load?
See what they say to that.

I'm never a believer in the work to rule type of employee. It's been my experience that the employees who are happy to demonstrate a willingness to take on extra tasks etc tend to do far better in the medium term than the that's not my job people . Bosses remember and tend to reward people who step up when needed.

Sadly the shop floor now is a lot different to the shop floor 35 years ago.

Pick up the tasks from the new role you would enjoy, speak to managers about offloading stuff you dont enjoy (as you're at capacity due to new responsibilities) Use new experience and skills to find new job that pays you for them.

Unlike PP, IME bosses do not always reward good workers.
This seems to be the case here - you worked your butt off for 20 years to be turned down for (in your words) a good fit temp secondment.

Do the work, do it well, and challenge your new pay grade.

Then leave.

If you are in a union talk to them. If not leave ! This job is not respectful to you at all.