Caught in between

Anonymous

June 29,2023 at 7:27PM UTC

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Caught in between

I hope I can explain this situation clearly. I currently work in a government agency where I am assigned to one department but also support a leader from a different department. I do the work of a Management Analyst in the department I'm assigned to. I also handle administrative support for the leader of a different department. Recently, my coworker in the department where I provide administrative support left her position and I am having to handle her duties. I explained to the leader (director) in this department that this change will cause me to be working outside my job role (which will be a higher position) and that he would either have to recommend me for acting status pay or promote me to the role. I feel he is stalling because he's known for a while my coworker was leaving. I'm planning to meet with the director of the department I'm assigned to and explain the situation I'm in. I want to make it clear to him that both departments have put me in an unfair position where I haven't been given the opportunity to advance either way. Any thoughts as to how I can approach this with the director in the department I'm assigned to? I know... its alot. ;) I'm planning to have a brief discussion with him soon.

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AnonymousJune 29,2023 at 7:39PM UTC
First and foremost. Try to stay calm! I know this is stressful. I came from a company where all my superiors were getting fired and a lot of their tasks delegated to, you guessed it, me. I was working for a company that gave zero cares about mental health, or people in general. I have never been so stressed out with the added responsibilities and only making the bare minimum. Seriously. $17 an hour. HOUR. Talk about they took advantage. Stand your ground and don’t let them walk all over you. But stand firmly and gracefully. If it doesn’t go the way you think it should have, raise or promotion, which I agree with, start looking elsewhere. That is a huge red flag that they are just not concerned with their staff. I hope this helps! I did find my work family finally! Almost two years with them ?
AnonymousJune 29,2023 at 9:20PM UTC
Agree with the comment below. Stay calm. Also stay positive. Present to them an offer that you will continue doing both positions for X amount of money! If doing both jobs is not sustainable, then my input would be to present yourself for the position you want and ask what it is you need to get hired for the position. You may not qualify 100 percent however be willing to get any training deemed necessary. I would defintely ask for an increase for managing all the roles you are managing. Come prepared with the work you are doing in addition, how many hours you are working in this other role each day/week, and if you know the starting wage for the role, divide it by the hours worked in that role and encourage them to provide you extra income while you are working these roles.
AnonymousJuly 1,2023 at 8:30PM UTC
I think you should first decide which role you prefer. Being in 2 roles for any period longer than a month should cause them to rethink your compensation. If it's only for a short time period until they find a replacement for the person that left it would be unwise to push too hard re getting more money or a promotion. If you think they are keeping you in both roles be sure to let them know that you will have to juggle multiple priorities to deliver and not miss deadlines. If you go into the conversation complaining don't expect much. Keep it in perspective if you want to stay there for the long term.
Jennifer NataleJuly 3,2023 at 12:45PM UTC
Always deal with directors in a positive way. Decide on the outcome and propose what you would like to happen in a clear and concise way.
What you don't want:
To be seen as someone who whinges and whines - its not someone they want on their team.
To be someone who cant handle difficult situations
To be indecisive
What you do want
To be seen and decisive
To be seen as someone who knows what they want and is willing to go for it.
To be understood as someone who will not be taken advantage of.
YOu also need to make some decisions for yourself.
What is part of your role and what is not part of your role. Be clear that you are willing to continue performing that tasks that you have been doing and you will need to be compensated appropriately.
If they refuse then go back to just doing your role and start looking for another organisation that knows your worth.
The world is big.
Go out there and get it!!