Are they taking the piss?

[FlippertyFlopperty]

I offered to support some colleagues with one of their responsibilities whilst a colleague was off a few years ago. This was an offer of temporary help and the responsibility is one that's time consuming and can be very stressful.

Every time I've raised that I'm still doing this extra responsibility to management I'm just basically told that I need to do it, despite my protests.

It's got the point now where me doing this extra thing is really affecting the output of my own responsibilities and I'm finding that I'm depressed, stressed and anxious on the days when I do this work. The job I used to love, I now dread.

Aibu to think they should now allow me to stop doing this extra responsibility? I'm sure that every time I mention or complain that I'm still doing this, one of the managers thinks I should just be quiet and get on with it and that I'm not a team player.

The people who used to do this are still in their roles and still doing the task. Doesn't make any sense me still doing it.

Always remember the quote that goes something like ‘if you died, they would have put up the advert for your replacement before your funeral had happened.’

So why do you still need to do it if they are doing it?

This I don't know.

Firstly I think you need to get over the idea that your "job" is anything other than what you are required to do by the business.

That's the trade off I guess. Salary - do what you are needed do. Something to be clear on is have they given you extra stuff to do as a way to protect your role? Worth considering.

In terms of sensible actions.

Complaining has not worked. I'm not sure the solution is hardball. You'll probably find the answer is tough luck - so your only option is to leave.

Going off sick because you have not managed to address this feels a little disingenuous

Management (I'm one of them) tend to be unmoved by I've done this for 2 years and it's not fair and my work is being impacted. Because it sounds like a you problem. I know harsh but here is the solution.

There might be another option which is to present an clear, well thought out solution that means you can add real value to business .

You need to demonstrate that there are more appropriate skills and capacity on the original team. That oh will do an ful a d detailed handover will support for 2 months so nothing gets missed/dropped.

Then show how the placing work to the appropriate people will allow you to do c y z that will allow you to overperform at the core parts of your time that you excel at.

Turn a negative (complain, feel overwhelmed) into a positive

So a solution
A timetable
A managed handover
Better results/performance for the business

I am sometimes saddened by the disconnect between people and "management".

Whilst I agree with pp that management always prefer a solution than a problem, with this one I feel that too much water has passed under the bridge and the easiest way is to find a new job employer. If you are as good at your job as you suggest, it shouldn't be too big a problem.

Yes agree with this.
Ask for a meeting and go through the tasks on your job description.
You could also make a list of the extra tasks.
Ask your line manager which tasks they want you to do. Also ask for a documented change in your job description.

Forgot to say that you need to put timings on each task if possible. List hours and minutes on a spreadsheet and total up hours of all tasks you are now expected to do.
Show the balance against your working week total hours.
Sometimes it needs to be in black and white white when it comes to management.

I will put it to management and see what they say. They know that my general role has expanded so much so I'm hoping they can see this extra responsibility shouldn't sit with me.

Management have come back and very little will change. I'll still have the responsibility and it will still take a lot of my time up.

Then it's time to leave - or look for promotion out of this job. Dust off the CV and get applying!

Yes definitely time to look for something else.

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/work/4982564-when-did-you-realise-you-are-just-an-employee-and-loyalty-accounts-for-nothing

No job is worth a negative effect on your life, you sound very stressed and unhappy. There is always a burn out and then breaking point which can be very hard to come back from and can be damaging to confidence.
If there is no clear future then look for another job - just have to accept that a job you once my have loved has changed. The reality is that all staff are replaceable.

I am. I'm shocked at how I've gone from loving my job and having such passion what what I do to dreading it. I try and get each day over. One day at a time. Then Sunday comes and I start thinking about work again and the dread returns. I still like aspects of my role but goodness, management seem to care very little about easing the impossible workload.

So despite you loving your job, you're doing the extra task that's taking you away from your core responsibilities, taking too much time and causing you what sounds like deep unhappiness, yet you're worried they'll sack you if you say anything further?.....

I think you need to read this current running thread about how little point there is being loyal when the reality is that companies will absolutely shaft you if they so choose, if you're an inconvenience or no longer wanted on voyage.

Misplaced loyalty.

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/work/4982564-when-did-you-realise-you-are-just-an-employee-and-loyalty-accounts-for-nothing

lol looks like we had the same idea there....

How much time does this "task" take over the course of the week, and what % of time does it take compared to your normal duties?

What would happen if you stopped doing the task for a month, a quarter, or completely stopped it altogether? Can you find a more efficient way to do the task? Is it something manual that could be automated or made more efficient?

Management very often get people to continue doing something long after a task has outlived its value and context. You need to prove that this is the case with facts and data.

Slow down with the other work or make a few mistakes so basically force their hand to take it off you.

You need to stop making it a you problem and start making it a them problem. Currently as long as the work is being done to a good standard they will be happy putting up with your odd grumble.

Or get signed off as has been suggested.

You cannot fix this problem with words; only actions will get the desired outcome.

All of these could land the OP in hot water.

They're not paying you to do task A, it's not your responsibility, so just don't do it.

They absolutely are paying OP to do that job and have been "for years"