Promotion Without Pay, Slave labour?

TELLIT01

Slave labour? No. Exploitation? Possibly yes. The OP has had the carrot of being 'developed into the role' dangled in front of them and possibly used by management to keep the wage bill down. If after 5 years the OP still hasn't even hit the bottom of the appropriate pay band there are a number of explanations.
1. The OP still hasn't achieved the level of knowledge required for the role. If that is the case it suggests that even if the OP isn't capable of the role, management is utterly incompetent in keeping him in it.
2. Management have been taking the proverbial from the outset and never had any intention of getting the OP onto the correct pay band for the role.
3. A change of management structure along the way and nobody is actually aware that the OP isn't on the correct pay band.
Option 3 seems to have been covered by the content of the OP, so I suspect Option 2 to be nearer the reality of the situation.
The OP has 3 options - keep on pressing for the rise; carry on doing the job at below the rate they believe they should be getting; or look for other opportunities and move on at a time that suits them.

Lungboy

TELLIT01 wrote: »

The OP has 3 options - keep on pressing for the rise; carry on doing the job at below the rate they believe they should be getting; or look for other opportunities and move on at a time that suits them.

Or option 4: Work to the grade they are contracted to work at and stop doing the higher grade stuff.

TELLIT01

Lungboy wrote: »

Or option 4: Work to the grade they are contracted to work at and stop doing the higher grade stuff.

Probably not a practical option if they've been doing the higher grade job for 5 years, but certainly one to add to the list.

ReadingTim

Unlike slavery, you legally have the right to find another job.

prowla

Well, is working for nothing slavery?

In the general scheme of things,it is not necessarily the case that a more senior/managerial role automatically means more pay.

It is common practice for companies to try to exploit workers by getting them to do more for nothing in return and to rely on loyalty, fear of the unknown, etc. to keep them there.

My employer did it with me, but I kept weighing up the odds as to whether the pros outweighed the cons. Unfortunately, they pushed a bit too far a while back and I reached tipping point; I start my new job (elsewhere) next week!

Ja7188

There's also an option 5 - the OP has rubbed people up the wrong way by behaving in the workplace in the same manner as he or she has done in this thread and is hence now being 'gently encouraged' to move on...

Smodlet

prowla wrote: »

Well, is working for nothing slavery?

In the general scheme of things,it is not necessarily the case that a more senior/managerial role automatically means more pay.

It is common practice for companies to try to exploit workers by getting them to do more for nothing in return and to rely on loyalty, fear of the unknown, etc. to keep them there.

My employer did it with me, but I kept weighing up the odds as to whether the pros outweighed the cons. Unfortunately, they pushed a bit too far a while back and I reached tipping point; I start my new job (elsewhere) next week!

Yes, working for nothing (and having no choice in the matter) is slavery. That is hardly what either you or the OP were/are doing. You must be receiving at least minimum wage.

Samsung_Note2

Smodlet wrote: »

An African American would shred you for the use of such terms. I don't suppose you have the slightest idea how offensive they are.

Why African American...what about Just African people.

My Goodness Kunta Kinte would turn in his grave mate...as would many of the mandinka.

Im sure your deeply offended by slavery despite it starting nearly 400 years ago..but why let that get in the way...lol

ScorpiondeRooftrouser

The going rate for the job is whatever they can get people to do it for.

You state that they are getting a lot of people to do it for whatever they are paying.

Therefore they are paying the going rate.

Detroit

When offered a 'development opportunity' on a lower salary than usual for the post, it's always a good idea to understand the specifics. Ideally before you accept, but now would be good too.

Ask:

What have they identified as your development needs?
Which specific competences for the full role do you (still) lack?
At what point do they expect to review you against these competencies?
What objective measures will be used to assess you?

A development opportunity isn't always about getting work done on the cheap. Sometimes employers prefer to recruit potential. However, it must be properly structured.

A person can't stay 'developing' forever. There must come a point when a decision is made, either that they are competent, and paid accordingly; or not, and (if not after 5 years) probably never will be.

Talk to your employer. Ask the questions above and find out where you stand.