Company asking us to do different work

Sazzyukrafc

I am in an SEO role, basically in charge of all content optimisation, and SEO planning and reporting. All my education and experience is in editorial roles, as I am a fully qualifed and experienced journalist.

The company has now decided that my department has to spend 20% (works out at one day a week) ringing customers asking them to buy things!

I still have to perform all my duties, which is extensive. I am constantly working and have a very demanding job, but I have to do it over four days, rather than five.

I'm not happy about this at all.

I'm not a sales person and would never even consider it. I have never rung customers or done anything like that. They are also expecting us to place the orders, but I haven't a clue how the system even works. I expect we will not get any training, as they want us to start doing this soon.

This has made me feel like my job isn't safe and as I've only been here 6 months, I guess I would be one of the first to leave.

I worried that if I have to do this one day a week, my own job will suffer, as I can't give all my time to it. SEO is a very hard job and requires all my attention, especially when it's all my responsibility. I'm also not particularly happy with doing this work, as I have absolutely no experience or interest in it.

Can anyone offer me any advice?

SomeBozo

What does your contract say about "doing other duties as dictated by the company"? There is usually something like this in contracts (good ones anyway).

That said, you need training, so I would chase that if you are required to do it by your contract.

Again, with most issues like this, it comes down to how much you want the job. I can't say I know much about the journalist sector, but I would guess thats theres not much about.

Bozo

Sazzyukrafc

My role isn't a journalist really, it's a SEO role, so basically getting us high in search engines. To be honest, there are quite a few jobs around that I would stand a good chance at getting.

I don't want to put my job on the line, but if I have to spend one day a week doing someone else's job then I certainly can't do my own job properly.

I will check my contract tonight.

Should I talk to my manager about my concerns over this?

ohreally

Additional duties should be commensurate with your role - "any other duties as required by management" doesn't quite cut it as this is not what your employed to do.

Raise this with your trade union as well as your manager.