Should I get legal advice or just quit?

Bassistandy

A bit of a strange one this, I work for a small IT company <10 employees. I look after the marketing for the business, (employed 2012) and the job's gone very well, at least, that's what I thought.

I've just caught wind that the MD wants me to go out with the engineers to assist them with their work whilst the other engineers are on holiday are taken over the next few months. Bear in mind that I'm not qualified in any way with I.T, software etc so I have no idea how I can assist the guys in the field.

I asked the MD what and why he's looking at doing this and said that he's short of hands in that area and doesn't want to employ additional staff. When asked would this be permanent, he avoided the question so I then asked if I am being made redundant, again, question not answered by him. I didn't even ask about salary changes as I was quite shocked/worried.

I am a bit concerned as I don't want to be an I.T engineer/assistant or what ever he's got lined up with this as marketing is my degree qualification and has been my career field for the past 10 years.

Is this even legal or should I get this looked into?

The company's been done before for unfair dismissal in past.

Undervalued

Bassistandy wrote: »

Is this even legal or should I get this looked into?

It is almost certainly legal.

A pretty standard clause in any employment contract is something to the effect of "any other duties the firm may reasonably require". Even if it is not written as such then it is arguably implied.

It is also far easier than most people think for a company to change the terms of your employment. If you can't agree they can impose a change and your only option would be to resign and claim unfair dismissal. It would then be up to a tribunal to decide if it was unfair or not. Even if you won any compensation is likely to be quite small.

Bassistandy

That's what i was afraid of. I guess I'd better start going through my contacts then for a new opportunity elsewhere.

Knowing what my boss is like, I know he's thinking this will be a permanent thing and it's not a line of work I'm after to be honest. I haven't got a problem with the job they now want me to do, it's merely that I don't want it on my CV. Shame.

bluffer

Bassistandy wrote: »

That's what i was afraid of. I guess I'd better start going through my contacts then for a new opportunity elsewhere.

Knowing what my boss is like, I know he's thinking this will be a permanent thing and it's not a line of work I'm after to be honest. I haven't got a problem with the job they now want me to do, it's merely that I don't want it on my CV. Shame.

thats a very narrow minded point of view.

how much time does the marketing portion take up? is it truly all your contracted hours?

why not learn something new and expand your possibilities? after all, if you know exactly what the engineers do, wont you be able to market the company better? Add the practical bit into your cv and you are better qualified than other who have just theoretical knowledge.

suck it and see, you might be surprised as you could enjoy it.

Takeaway_Addict

When in 2012 did you start working?

Storm

Have you got 2 years service yet? This will impact whether you would be eligible for redundancy pay but also whether you're protected against unfair dismissal.

Personally, with it being a small company I would smile and 'muck in' over the holiday period, but be very clear about your skill set and perhaps suggest you spend some time shadowing at first so you can learn on the job and identify any particular training you'll need. One of the things I like about working for small places is that you do get the chance to pitch in, meaning there's a good team spirit and you get to try out other roles.

The way it has been presented to you, there will be no change in salary as you're just helping out over the holiday period. If all these conversations are verbal, make a note of them yourself, and perhaps send an email to your MD saying along the lines of 'Following our chat the other day, I'm happy to help out with cover over the holiday period, though I may need some training to do so effectively (list any specific training). I'd be grateful if you could let me know what time commitment you are envisaging for this so I can plan my workload effectively; we may need to discuss a lowering of my targets depending on how much of my time will be away from my role as Marketing Person (whatever your job title is)'

This starts your paper trail just in case, and forces him to clarify if that's not what he meant.

zarf2007

bluffer wrote: »

thats a very narrow minded point of view.

how much time does the marketing portion take up? is it truly all your contracted hours?

why not learn something new and expand your possibilities? after all, if you know exactly what the engineers do, wont you be able to market the company better? Add the practical bit into your cv and you are better qualified than other who have just theoretical knowledge.

suck it and see, you might be surprised as you could enjoy it.

im not being funny but the above is !!!!!!!!......why specialise and train in a specific area to become a generalist? and how effective could that person be anyway.....you could cause more damage than good and if going for another position in marketing it would look stupid that you are now a part time IT engineer.

Tbh the company you work for sounds amateurish, I would tell the MD that while you are happy to help (whilst getting your CV out sharpish for another marketing job) you can not be held accountable for any damage that you may cause to customer systems.....that might make him think twice...