Found myself in a situation at work and wonder if anyone can help.

Drumstation

I have been with my employer a long time. The branch I work in is small and was under staffed. In order to get another staff member and help out existing staffing issues, I agreed to change my role from what I was doing all week (role A) to a split role so half the week A and half the week B.   Basically, I stepped up to help others but didn’t think of myself long term.

This was 2 years ago and my contract was changed to reflect my split roles. The new staff member came in and settled well. In Role A he did 3 days a week and I did 2.  Last March we shut down due to COVID. We came back flexi furlough and I flexi furloughed in role A with the new employee and we split the week. Got to Christmas and I was fully furloughed again. I was asked back in February but fully into role B this time. The person recruited 2 years ago fully into role A.

I have struggled with role B miserably as my all day job.  I am now under physio due to constant pain caused by the pressure of role B. It’s been horrendous and it took 11 weeks for my employer to come assess my work space. Nothing done bar ticking boxes on a form but I have been given an end date thankfully as another new employee is starting soon.   No issues in role B. In fact a very positive response to the work I was producing. 

When this new person starts, my role is being changed again. It is based on role A bit very junior and I am hurt that my previously contracted 2 days at the more senior level have been taken away from me without any discussion.   Rather than being an equal of my role A colleagues I will now be their junior.   I had an appraisal 7 months ago and it was very good. No cause for concern. 

New employee and I were both asked in December to study and sit an exam relating loosely to role A. I didn’t feel ready as I had zero experience in that side. This side is completely new to our office but as I say loosely related.   New employee had previous experience so signed up to study and sit the exam.   I asked to wait to do this until I had some on the job experience and it was accepted. 

Now I feel I am being punished for firstly, not agreeing to the training and exam and secondly for struggling with the injury caused by role b and that they’ve had to recruit someone new. I do see some plus points in that I’ve gained new experience in role B which is always good for a CV. Being junior won’t be hugely bad as a lot of the pressure in role A is off and I will be paid very well for it. It just stings a bit. The management making these decisions are in head office miles away from our small branch office.  Apologies, if this is really long but is it worth saying how disappointed I am or be thankful I’ve got a job and shut my face!  I feel like I’m being walked over at the moment. 

Marcon

Drumstation said:

Now I feel I am being punished for firstly, not agreeing to the training and exam and secondly for struggling with the injury caused by role b and that they’ve had to recruit someone new. I do see some plus points in that I’ve gained new experience in role B which is always good for a CV. Being junior won’t be hugely bad as a lot of the pressure in role A is off and I will be paid very well for it. It just stings a bit. The management making these decisions are in head office miles away from our small branch office.  Apologies, if this is really long but is it worth saying how disappointed I am or be thankful I’ve got a job and shut my face!  I feel like I’m being walked over at the moment. 

Probably because you are - but to a large extent you're letting yourself be used as a doormat.

The decision for you is surely not whether to raise it with your employer, but how to do so. Be clear in your own mind what you want the outcome to be and (not necessarily the same) what outcome would be acceptable to you. If you don't get either, how employable are you elsewhere?

pinkshoes

So in December, you and the other person were asked to study and take an exam which would help in role A. The other person said yes, and you said no.

Then in February, the other person who did the exam was given role A, and you were therefore given role B.

I appreciate you have been helpful in the past to cover the two roles, but on this occasion you weren't. You will need to speak to your boss and ask what you need to do to get role A back on a permanent basis.

If needs be, you might want to consider jumping ship. 

Drumstation

Thanks. I get what you are saying. I’ve re-read the email asking about the course and it is very much a do you want to do this or would you prefer to wait until you’ve had some practical experience. I had no practical experience so I asked to wait.  I do get what you are saying though. 

MalMonroe

You've been there a long time and are obviously a loyal employee and a thoughtful, caring person.

Why not ask your employer if you can have a meeting to discuss all your concerns? That is a reasonable thing for any employee to do. Just write down everything you want to discuss, in a similar way to your first post here. Whether it's by phone or Zoom, or something like that.

Most companies and organisations now have annual staff appraisals anyway. I always found it a bit daunting but it's a good idea because it means that not only can the employer have a say but the employee can as well. It's not necessarily about complaining but just pointing out the facts and how you feel about what has been happening. 

If your employer doesn't know how you are feeling, there's not much that can be done to help. You're not happy and are making assumptions about being punished, so the boss or bosses need to know. Even if you have to travel to head office to have a meeting, it'd be worth it, surely?

lincroft1710

To summarise

The employer asked 2 employees to sit an exam. 1 employee said yes, 1 employee said no. Employer rewards "positive" and better experienced employee, nothing wrong in that. The hard truth is that your employer has found someone whom they think is better suited to do your old job. Obviously in your eyes this is unfair, but fairness does not matter in the workplace as long as it does not breach employment discrimination legislation.


I don't see you getting your old role back. I think this is a thinly veiled attempt to push you out of the door. Fairly cleverly done as if you left and tried to claim constructive dismissal, your employer would have a very good defence. 

gavinaw

Drumstation said:
Now I feel I am being punished for firstly, not agreeing to the training and exam and secondly for struggling with the injury caused by role b and that they’ve had to recruit someone new. I do see some plus points in that I’ve gained new experience in role B which is always good for a CV. Being junior won’t be hugely bad as a lot of the pressure in role A is off and I will be paid very well for it. It just stings a bit. The management making these decisions are in head office miles away from our small branch office.  Apologies, if this is really long but is it worth saying how disappointed I am or be thankful I’ve got a job and shut my face!  I feel like I’m being walked over at the moment. 

First off, I find it a wee bit atrocious that after everything you are being downgraded, in a way to a lesser role. Although, there are some instances that you could have communicated better (i.e. Role because if you didn't find things suitable on your end, there is no point of actually trying to do it even if it was for the sake of helping others. Because if your intention was to to help them, you should've verbalized it as well when you were making the adjustment, "I'll help you with this temporarily" or "I'll fulfill this role until you find someone suitable for the position", being split between Role A & B was just an added toll to you and is generally just a migraine of a situation.

Sit down with your boss and have a talk, negotiate your contract if you have to. Assert your desire for Role A, reference the effects Role B had on you, and persuade them into providing you a senior-ish position on Role A. I don't know if how long you plan to stay on this company since you did mention that all your experiences thus far is good on a CV. But first things first, try to get your shot on this company because if you don't communicate directly, you'll be getting nowhere. I've read a few online guides like this one to improve my negotiating skills, we can't let people lowball us and treat us like doormats. Dust yourself off, or get yourself out of there while you still can!

oh_really

gavinaw said:

Sit down with your boss and have a talk, negotiate your contract if you have to. Assert your desire for Role A

You can only negotiate from a position of strength, op is not in that position and I doubt if in any position to assert anything.

Sorry but the situation is somewhat of the op's making.

Barny1979

 I will be paid very well for it. - sounds like you know you're on a winner from some perspectives for the meantime, personally think if there are opportunities in your industry elsewhere, start looking.

TBagpuss

I think the issue is that you were offered the opportunity to do further training and an a qualification, and turned down that offer, and are now aggrieved that the person who accepted and therefore now has a qualification is being given recognition for that - 
I would suggest that you speak to your manager. Explain that you agreed to take on role B and order to help out, that your understanding was always that it would be temporary and that your wish, both due to the physical demands and to your prior  experience would prefer to resume Role A fully.

You can also say that you are disappointed that it appears from the planned organization that you are not being given any recognition for your prior experience, and that while you accept that there are some new elements to the current role that you weren't familiar with, you feel that the junior classification of your role is not consistent with your performance and experience over all. You could also flag up that while you accept that you turned down the opportunity to do the training, you feel that there wasn't enough information about the implications of this and that you would not have done so had it been made clear that it would effectively result in a demotion.

Before you ask for the meeting, think about what you actually want them to do - what do you want out of this? A title equal  to your colleague? The opportunity to now do the training and to be given the same title as them if/when you complete it and pass the exam? 

Looked at from their perspective, you turned down an opportunity for additional training and they are recognising the increased knowledge nd experience of the person who didn't turn it down. You aren't being punished, you're just not getting a promotion you didn't qualify for. For that reason, in the meeting I would suggest that you focus on what you are specifically asking for now and how you see yourself achieving that - e.g. are you now willing to do the training and take the exam, and frame it as a miscommunication rather than accusing them of punishing or mistreating you. 

prowla

So, in summary, the other employee is better qualified and more experienced for role A and so has been given it.