Job completely different to the advertised job description. Being underpaid by £10ph

pilondmpjsa

I applied for a contracted role, via an agency, for a job that is a few notches below what I was doing previously - I wanted something easier and less stressful to return to the workplace following long-term absence in the past (mental health).

Hypothetically, the role as advertised is a largely admin based role that pays £12ph. Issuing invoices, chasing customers for payment, checking systems, and all that more junior level stuff. Multiple job agencies received this job spec (I found the ad at multiple places) for this role. I am not blaming my recruiter, at all - they've bene pretty fine.

After starting the job I have am in a far more senior role. I know this because:

1) I have seen on the Org chart. The 2 people I am supporting (as they're now doing a job share of their manager's role - who resigned), are full-on management accountants.

2) The vacancy that I applied for is still on the Org chart and listed as 'vacant'. It is a few grades below me.

3) The content of the job itself is far more complex, stressful, and has absolutely no invoicing/customer contact. I have been handed a task that was previously being completed by the senior accountant (the one that resigned), as well as parts of the work that the job-sharers previously did. Bona-fide, I am doing the role of a management accountant.

I am perfectly able to do the job - it's similar to my old job. That's not the issue: It's just not what I expected, or wanted with my current mental health problems.

The issue is that I found an old advert for this exact job role (same company) from last year that had an hourly rate of between £10 and £15 per hour MORE than what I am currently on. This is hugely significant difference, and it has greatly disgruntled me.

I was satisfied with my hourly rate for the easier role, but I am absolutely not willing to work at this rate for all the responsibilities they've given me. I feel so undervalued and if this mistake is intentional, taken advantage of in a completely abhorrent and unreasonable way.

What is the best way of dealing with this? I'm inclined to give them an ultimatum and resign if they don't offer to increase my salary (and backdate) to a satisfactory level, but want to do this in such a way that is respectful and doesn't damage my future job search - "Why did you only work for xyz company for such a short time?" - This absolutely would reflect badly on me in my future job searches!

I absolutely am at my wits end and have far too many stresses in my life at the moment, so thank you for taking the time to read this - it means a lot. Thanks.

whitewing

Could you speak to the agency and show them the advert? Do you actually work for the agency or did they just find you the job?

pilondmpjsa

I am employed by an umbrella company, that is all done via the agency.

I have raised it with the agency and emphasised that I know it isn't their fault.

I believe that the senior person resigned after this more junior role went out to the agencies and they decided to piggy-back off of that as the business need for somebody in this area was greater.

The fact I explained to the company I am working with that I had the experience to do these things on my CV and during interview may have contributed, or they may have decided to do the bait & switch prior to the recruiter sending my application across.

My biggest concern is there is going to be days/weeks of backing and forthing, all the while I am growing ever more disgruntled and ultimately working a stressful job for a wage that really doesn't make it worthwhile - especially considering my health.

I don't mind doing the role for a short-term basis, but I feel like I'm being exploited, and that in itself is affecting my anxiety even more.

whitewing

Sit down with your manager and show them the job for the job you applied for and the job advert that you found, and see what they have to say informally.

I suspect that they were just lucky that you came along with the skills. Your manager will probably have more idea of what the 'company' is like when it comes to these sorts of things and may advise you.

I wouldn't use words like exploited or ultimatums etc just yet. (I probably would actually, but it has never done me any good).

Good luck anyway. You will probably get some better ideas on here in the morning.

annandale

I wouldn't give an ultimatum

To be honest, if it's an old advert you found you might not get too far. It might not seem fair that they've reduced the rate so much but that was an old advert, not the job you applied for.

The bigger issue is being asked to do much more work for the pay you were hired on.

Ozzuk

I would add that money is a short term motivator, if they pay you more the job will be just as stressful, I'd decide what was more important to me, mental health or bank balance.

getmore4less

What contract for services did you agree to for this job.

Is what they are asking you to do within the scope of that agreement?

Guest101

Surely the solution is either do the job or don't?


You're a contractor with no employment rights as such.

agrinnall

I think if you make a significant fuss about this your contract will be terminated. If you don't want to do the work for £12 per hour then perhaps that would be an acceptable result for you.

pilondmpjsa

I've confirmed that they changed the role after interview, because of the experience I described.

Quite cheeky of them not to tell me that was the case, nor offer any more pay.

The agency is chasing this up. I've informed the agency that I will terminate the contract if I do not get the rate that I saw the job previously advertised at.

We'll see what happens.

pilondmpjsa

I resigned.

So very frustrating, particularly as when I was job searching I had to tell recruiters to no longer send my CV across to a few places I wanted to apply to.