What is a reasonable request

demoted

My employer has made my role redundant. I have been offered another role several tiers down and for significantly less money. I’m thinking of taking the role to keep me going as my redundancy pay out is not great but I know they will want me to use my knowledge and skills for tasks I used to do. Can I refuse to do these ad hoc tasks as unreasonable even though I am more than capable of doing them? I have no desire to let them have my skill set at cut down prices!

AskAsk

if you stay, i wouldn't start any rows.  just do the job as best you can, and in the mean time look for a better job.  easier to get another job when you have an existing one as you can use it as leverage.

demoted

My worry is that I will end up doing my old role for less money, which will make me feel like the worlds greatest mug!

[Deleted User]

Some of these employers are really taking advantage of the current situation - no integrity. It does look like they want to use your skills and pay you less. If you did take redundancy, how long do you think it would take you to find another job?

AskAsk

demoted said:

My worry is that I will end up doing my old role for less money, which will make me feel like the worlds greatest mug!

you always end up doing work for free in employment i find.  make it a short mug and find another job 

oh_really

If you find this happening inform that your happy to do tasks commensurate with your role and pay scale then get looking for another role while they then go through advertising, interviewing, taking up references, induction, training etc etc.

Dox

demoted said:

My employer has made my role redundant. I have been offered another role several tiers down and for significantly less money. I’m thinking of taking the role to keep me going as my redundancy pay out is not great but I know they will want me to use my knowledge and skills for tasks I used to do. Can I refuse to do these ad hoc tasks as unreasonable even though I am more than capable of doing them? I have no desire to let them have my skill set at cut down prices!

Couldn't agree more - but for the moment I think you have to swallow hard and get on with it, whatever 'it' is. At least you'll be doing a more interesting job than if you operate at a level several tiers down. And at least you'll have a job while you look for someone who can afford to pay you the right rate for your skills - and the crucial words are 'able to afford'. 

74jax

Could you maybe sit down and work out with them what you would be doing. I know you say its a bit 'open' at the moment, but maybe a meeting would iron it out?  Could you ask specifically what you would NOT be doing that you are now?

TELLIT01

To the employer a 'reasonable request' could be to do anything they know you are capable of doing without putting you at physical risk.  That could potentially mean doing tasks which fall within the remit of your current role.  All you can really do is wait and see.  In the current environment you are probably better to accept to reduced role and salary in order to maintain an income but to start looking for other work at your previous level.

Alfrescodave

Ask for a detailed job description of the new job which might prevent any future discussions /arguments as to what you should be doing. Unfortunately the company will probably include vague wording which works in the company's favour.

Comms69

demoted said:

My worry is that I will end up doing my old role for less money, which will make me feel like the worlds greatest mug!

If your work is worth more than theyre offering, find someone willing to pay that amount. If you cant, it's probably worth what theyre now offering.