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Management dumping tasks on me that belong under another (much higher paying) role

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Management dumping tasks on me that belong under another (much higher paying) role

One of our division's managers left for another company three months ago. I understand the duties under that role, but it's really a cushy position for someone who knows the company well and has a background in that speciality as well as management training.

If the job were offered to me, I'd consider it just because it would be a change, and I'd be provided some good training, but I don't see an offer even coming at all. It would've been offered by now, or the person in that role would have groomed me for it; she didn't. The position has been advertised internally and no one has told me to apply (and yes, they do invite people to apply for roles all the time).

So, the role is still unfilled, and now, out of nowhere, I'm being thrown tasks that had been carried out by the person who left. I did a few of them to be helpful and because they didn't take up much time, but now it's getting out of hand, and I'm being asked to do things I'm not even trained for. I've gently noted this to my manager, but he insists that there's no reason I can't do them in addition to the duties that fall under my current job. I think they can't find anyone to take it on, but for whatever reason, they don't want it to go to me. The next step is for them to advertise it externally.

At this point, the tasks I'm being handed really even aren't career developing-- lots of spreadsheet generating or writing memos but nothing that would set me up for a promotion (as I should be managing projects, not doing admin work that will get me nowhere after 30 years in this business). I think this other manager is just seeing what he can get out of me knowing that I know if I question him, it'll cause a controversy and be taken as insubordination ("I told you to do this, do it." "I have no training." "Just do it.")

I believe my time isn't being used well, and it's not going to develop me as a valuable staffer hoping for a promotion next year. Fine, assign me the work, but then recommend me for the higher paying job. But that's not his intention. I feel like I'm just being used and eventually, will be abused. I'm not working 12 hour days to help them get the work done, either. They're not going to ease up on me. Is my best option to get out of there as soon as possible via transfer (not likely) or find a new job elsewhere?

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  1. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist

    If you're interested in being considered for the position, why haven't you applied?

    You wrote "they don't want it to go to me" - how do you know this?

    You haven't applied, so unless you have explicitly told someone that you are interested in the position, no one would know you are interested in being considered.

    For my own positions, if you're "interested" but not interested enough to apply, you're not that interested.

  2. Anonymous

    What the heck? Apply! Talk to your boss and express your interest. At the worst you will rece valuable feedback regarding how your qualifications meet the challenge of the position At best, you will be considered for the position and be able to shine. Pushing back on new work is probably not a wise move. Taking it on and letting them know you are interested in growing is a much better strategy.

  3. Anonymous

    Might be time to use your words and express your interest in this role instead of complaining about it. If you sit back and wait for them to invite you to apply, or hand you an offer on a silver platter I think you’ll be sorely disappointed.

    Shift your perspective and take control of this narrative: you’ve been given some tasks from the vacant role and are already performing. You have institutional knowledge to seamlessly transition into the role, etc.

    Of course your boss is giving you more tasks, a job wants the most work product out of each of us as possible. You can’t possible be surprised by this, can you?

    If your boss or the hiring manager won’t visit with you to even discuss the role or they tell you you’re not ready, THEN it’s time to start looking somewhere else. Best wishes with your next steps.

  4. Anonymous

    Apply to the position. Maybe they just haven't considered you for the job.

    I would also start looking for something else. You sound like you could be a little unsatisfied or could become very unsatisfied in the future.

  5. misskelleyp

    Why don't you ask for the job? The company and your manager might not be aware of how you're seeing things and that you would like the other opportunity.

  6. Dr. Patty Gross

    I agree with those who say you should apply for the position, especially if it is not in the direct line of your supervisor who keeps "volunteering" you. Your direct supervisor probably doesn't want to lose you.

  7. Anonymous

    keep waiting for someone to invite you to the table or take your career and future into Your own hands.

    Your Choice.

  8. Anonymous

    OP here. Well, it turns out someone else was already slated for the job and was just bestowed with it. So I was basically expected to help support this person while she settled into the role. And no one even told me that she was appointed until her new position was announced. That's exactly what I had een concerned about.

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