I am just wondering if it should make me feel better or worse that the company I work for did this...

56 Comments

1. AnonymousApril 12,2023 at 11:11PM UTC

   It's self-serving of the company but it's a big win if they can get you to sign up for more crappy work for no more money ....so clearly that's their motivation here.
   If you don't take it they will just move ahead with finding that new candidate and sell them the pack of lies.

   It's almost as if you would be the temporary fill in for that role until they figure stuff out and kick you to the curb. I don't trust them.

2. Dr. Patty GrossApril 12,2023 at 11:55PM UTC

   I would only say that if the position is worth $20,000 more, make sure that you update your resume with that new title and put yourself on the market. That may be what they are expecting you to do, anyway.

3. AnonymousApril 12,2023 at 11:56PM UTC

   I’d almost wait it out and let them lay you off. Then you’d at least get unemployment. In the meantime interview like crazy and get out of there. That’s shady as hell.

4. MislynApril 13,2023 at 12:22AM UTC

   Well at least you were asked. I took a job for a construction company. Salary was negotiated and all was good. Start the job training and realized I’m doing work for like 3 other small businesses as well that are owned by the same owner. That’s a lot of bookwork and crap pay. After a few months I was then asked to run here there and everywhere running errands my boss should have ran. I was used big time at that job and my boss knew what he was doing. I have kids to take care of and he knew I couldn’t just quit. I did the bare minimum when I was at work towards the end because I knew I was getting nowhere with him or the company. I would rush throw my days work as fast as I could just to be done for the day. Why put effort into something that has no reward. I was just completely fed up. I was made lots of promises by him and those never came true. I realized it was time to move on. When more work is added more pay should come along with it. If they don’t offer a pay increase or an incentive package they know they are taking advantage of you.

5. AnonymousApril 13,2023 at 5:44PM UTC

   Very sorry that happened to you. People like him should not get to be the owner or boss of any company. Such is the world..... sad to say.

6. tiffany birchApril 13,2023 at 2:13AM UTC

   Do you want to compromise your respect and integrity? If the answer is no, then move forward with a new job search. Perhaps, get to know your deal breakers. Good luck❤️

7. Maegan, Nike Sales Rep & Career CoachApril 13,2023 at 2:21AM UTC

   I would look up market value for a the new title or similar role and let them know with the added responsibilities, you are excited for it but expect market value ..$X amount.

8. AnonymousApril 13,2023 at 2:59AM UTC

   Woman's intuition tells me that as time goes on, there will be more duties continuously piled on with the exact same pay. You weren't even given a head's up that things would change so how can you trust what they have to say?

   A lot can happen in 90 days or less, and if it were me, I would stay until the end and interview like mad while they lay me off as unemployment or severance would come into play.

9. AnonymousApril 13,2023 at 12:40PM UTC

   This company is not ethical. Sounds like to me they want you to be the clean up woman for all the tasks no one else is willing to do and if you don't accept this, with no raise, your position will be eliminated. I would get my resume professionally re-written and immediately begin search for new positions and stay with them until you get one. In one last try, approach the boss and tell them you are happy they are recognizing that you bring more to the table but the extra work with no additional compensation is a bit drastic - - could they arrange for a pay adjustment of $XXX per month based on some achievable goals (you'll need to define these before you have this conversation). Make sure you are defining and measuring goals and are meeting those milestones you set for yourself in the meantime, even if they say no to the pay adjustment. Then search like crazy and get out! You already know your worth if they have to blackmail you to take this one or give that ultimatum.

10. AnonymousApril 13,2023 at 12:41PM UTC

    I'm going to flip the coin and approach this from my viewpoint as a manager. I find out a new position has been created, maybe one I'm not 100% on board with, and the result is that because this new person is being added, I'm losing another person on my team because the roles are too similar. Now my options are to dissolve the position and let the person go or try to transform it into a new position that I can 'sell' to management. Part of the sale maybe I can't get more money for the position, but it means I can try to keep a valued employee and maybe down the road push for a bonus or pay increase and fill a need in an area that has not been focused on before.

    Now only you, the OP, can say if your manager is this kind of a person and if they value you as a coworker. It may be this opportunity was maybe created last minute to try to keep you, and maybe expand your role at the organization. Only you can speak to the culture of your company and your relationship with your manager.

    It makes me sad to see how many people are so quick to ascribe malice to other people's actions. Front-line managers are often caught in the middle of what the company wants or is willing to do vs their team members and the goals they are trying to achieve.

11. AnonymousApril 13,2023 at 1:38PM UTC

    Then maybe these front-line managers should be more transparent about what's going on. I would appreciate the truth so that I can understand why decisions were made, and so I can make the best decision for myself, whether I want to stay and stick it through or whether it makes sense to move on. The situation that you described just sounds very selfish without transparency, and fosters thoughts like OP's.

12. AnonymousApril 14,2023 at 12:36PM UTC

    Front-line managers have to balance transparency with the companies' interests and information coming to them. Trust me, there are a lot of times I would love to be able to give my team a heads up on what's coming down the pipeline or be able to explain fully what happened with a situation but sometimes I am bound by confidentiality requirements or are just flat out told I can't give the information out, even to coworkers due to legal concerns. I try to be as transparent as possible with my team and I would hope they give me the benefit of the doubt when I'm not telling them information.

13. AnonymousApril 14,2023 at 1:01PM UTC

    Another point to consider is that the first line manager may not know!! This happens much more frequently than those who have never managed understand especially at larger companies. I have worked for some of the biggest tech companies in the world and it happened much more then I was comfortable with. But it is their business and there are labor laws and pros/cons to consider. Also often the manager is getting laid off too and still has to take care of their team and trying to do the right thing even when they know they personally have no job (often just cause too many managers in headcount). I recommend focusing on thinking decisions came from the best intentions and make your own 'what's best for you choices' and act professionally at all times. You are trading your time and knowledge and skills for money -- helps if you remember that and stop taking everything personally.

14. AnonymousApril 13,2023 at 8:41PM UTC

    Thank you for sharing this perspective! I agree that there are many times middle management is caught in a hard spot between what their manager requires / what is best for the overall business, and what may be best for their associates. Being in that position is not easy. It sounds like they are at least offering you a position within your area of expertise. I would embrace it, take on the challenge and if you are truly not happy, add the skills to your updated resume and move on. Best of luck!

15. AnonymousApril 14,2023 at 12:36PM UTC

    Because it sounds like she is going to work for the other person. If the manager cared so much about her then they would tell her, listen i was not given a choice but to transfer you or let you go. She or he didn’t. This sounds like a professional speech given from HR and it sounds like she will be shifted to new manager. The manager is holding back on giving clarity.

16. AnonymousApril 13,2023 at 12:42PM UTC

    in the current world we’re living in I can’t say anything really surprises me these days, but I do know leader ship at employers make decisions all the time, budget changes, agendas, etc. etc. and you never know the reason, even though it might affect you personally.

    I would start interviewing and take everything out of the job. You currently have to improve any skill that might help you to land a better job with more pay. Good luck.

17. AnonymousApril 13,2023 at 12:50PM UTC

    Is there a way to negotiate for more pay? Ultimately it costs a company twice and employee’s salary to replace them, so I feel like you should be able to ask for more money.

18. AnonymousApril 13,2023 at 1:35PM UTC

    It does sound very shady that they would not tell you until basically the last minute. I would accept the role, for the interim, because looking for a new role may take longer than 90 days - this allows you to put that transition onto your resume, and you can gain some experience/exposure in the role while you apply and interview elsewhere.

19. Crystal HowellApril 14,2023 at 12:05PM UTC

    I would accept the job excitedly, to get the title and update your resume with your added duties. Give yourself 90 days to search for the right job and company. Continue to show excitement , no gossiping, keep the excitement up and leave with a smile. You have the skills, they wouldn't have added duties. Good Luck

20. MARI S PHONASA, CPSM & CPSDApril 14,2023 at 12:33PM UTC

    Agree with Crystal Howell. Sadly, this is what some companies do to avoid the hard conversations. I would accept the role wholeheartedly and start looking for outside opportunities. Go where you will be appreciated and respected.

21. AnonymousApril 14,2023 at 12:21PM UTC

    This was definitely done on purpose. But I would start job hunting within those 90 days.

22. AnonymousApril 14,2023 at 12:32PM UTC

    Are they trying to shift you to the new manager? I agree with posters below, for once. I would agree to take role and continue to act excited and look elsewhere. Your manager is trying to get rid of you without firing you.

23. AnonymousApril 14,2023 at 12:36PM UTC

    have a conversation with your manager around what led to this decision. This will help

    create clarity for you forward which may mean leaving or Not. It’s easy to make assumptions and often those assumptions are wrong. Rather than torturing yourself by creating a story about how they think your work sucks, they don’t like you etc, first seek to understand. Come prepared with where you have strongly contributed and ask if they agree about your contributions (plus anything they’d like to add). Then share based on your knowledge and research, what similar roles at other companies pay. Based on skills you bring, the increased responsibilities, the costs to hire and train new employees unfamiliar with your company operations, where are they willing to budge with compensation?

24. HereLearningApril 14,2023 at 12:37PM UTC

    Try to set your feelings aside and negotiate more money on your own behalf. Deal with the feelings later.

25. AnonymousApril 14,2023 at 12:40PM UTC

    Accept the new role and start looking. It's a game and a sad one at that. You may find you like the new role and perhaps it broadens your experience which is never a bad thing and makes you more valuable.

26. Leah PetrosinoApril 14,2023 at 12:46PM UTC

    I Don’t think they pointed out that their manager didn’t like their work. That came across as speculation to me.

    Piling more and more responsibility onto your workers without more compensation isn’t a gift. It’s exploitation.

27. AnonymousApril 14,2023 at 12:51PM UTC

    The only catch is they want something for nothing, I agree with others...play their game and start looking. When you tell them you are interviewing for other opportunities be very transparent why. Your skill set is in demand. Take a look at Elevance Health (aka Anthem BCBS) Cerner Solutions and Oracle. Good luck! I wish I had your IT skills so I could pivot a bit at this final point in my career.

28. Reb562April 14,2023 at 1:01PM UTC

    My thoughts are, that they are restructuring. Most department get formed by necessity not planned out. It looks like they put some thought into what they want the department to look like and restructured. I would take the job and look if you're not happy with it. Either way you'll gain experience.

29. GirlBossanova934974April 14,2023 at 1:04PM UTC

    As someone who actually has been in Digital Marketing for the last 17 years, I strongly recommend you re-think this one a bit. Marketing Automation careers pay a great deal of money! I started using a Marketing Automation tool called Marketo around a decade ago and my market value salary wise, went up $15K. Other platforms include Salesforce, Hubspot, Eloqua, and Act-On. Another kicker is that software licenses for these products are NOT cheap and you are highly unlikely to be able to purchase them on your own and learn these systems. So it is WIN WIN for you. The training is also pretty expensive. I remember back in 2006 my manager handed me a few thousand $ as an extra to learn Adobe Analytics. I used it for 7-8 years. Market value for me went up $20K in a year. It is all about SOFTWARE platforms these days. When recruiters see that stuff on your resume from LINKEDIN, your phone is going to be constantly ringing! Mine, sure is! At least a dozen calls per week come good times, bad times whatever......Best of Luck!

30. AnonymousApril 14,2023 at 1:05PM UTC

    From a different perspective, it’s possible that your company is looking to downsize or restructure and your boss found a way to keep you. The fact that your role will be eliminated in 90 days and adding duties to your job to me is a big sign of restructuring. Yes, usually more responsibilities and title change should come with an increase of some kind, but in this economy and market, that may just not be possible right now. Your decision is accept the revised job or face a layoff. To me, while frustrating, it seems like a no brainer. Life isn’t always what we want it to be and sometimes we have to just be grateful that we have options.

31. AnonymousApril 14,2023 at 1:22PM UTC

    Wow! Unless you know the original poster here personally or her situation, I would refrain from name calling, very uncalled for.

    Thar being said, while I think her employer could have handled the messaging better, I would tell the OP to take the new role, learn what she can while getting her resume ready and looking for an opportunity to get paid for her increased skills and responsibilities. All the best!

32. Zeecil KimmelApril 14,2023 at 1:22PM UTC

    I just left a company where they added responsibilities and titles to my work day without pay and looking back I regret signing up for that abuse. Having said that I do believe that having that title and those additional duties did strengthen my resume. So if I had to do it all over again? I would learn everything I could quickly, take the new title to spruce up my resume, and find a company that pays employees fairly. I should not have stayed as long as I did and give my company free labor. I should have known my own value. Best of Luck to you.

33. AnonymousApril 14,2023 at 1:27PM UTC

    Please tell me you don't manage people. Yikes.

34. Jennifer WuolletApril 14,2023 at 1:27PM UTC

    I'm in the "your boss is trying to figure out how to keep you" camp. It's hard to get a raise/promotion when the company is restructuring. For some people, job security is very valuable, sometimes more so than the money, they are offering that since maybe they don't have the ability to offer money. They may be doing this as well to ensure you keep your current boss and aren't reporting to the new person. I see this as a way for your boss to keep you. It may have taken her until the last minute to get approval for the new position and she wants it in place before the new manager comes in and she gets in a situation where the new boss wont want to give you up. It sounds to me like you are an asset that your boss wants to hang on to. All good stuff in my book. Congrats on being a rockstar!

35. Jacqueline CutlerApril 14,2023 at 1:32PM UTC

    It sounds as if they want to keep you and had to figure out a way to do so. I would take it, do the new job, see a few months if it is working for you, and then decide whether to ask for a raise or move on.

36. Mary PoolApril 14,2023 at 1:32PM UTC

    This seems like a no-brainer to me; your old role is being discontinued. They value you and found a way to keep you. If you don't like the new role and responsibilities, leave when you have another job. Don't throw away the lifeline they are trying to hand you. Who knows, you might love the new job! Even if you don't it will give you time to find another role and not need to jump to the first job offered.

37. Maria LaughlinApril 14,2023 at 1:37PM UTC

    Take the job and start looking

38. AnonymousApril 14,2023 at 1:38PM UTC

    I would accept the new position, but continue to look for another opportunity. Even though it isn’t a pay raise and it does feel unfair, it will add value to your resume and your experience and you will be able to leverage that in future interviews and ask for more money from other companies.

39. Susan MazerApril 14,2023 at 2:17PM UTC

    Do what is best today! Then use this time to find another gig!!

40. Susan Heidi WolmanApril 14,2023 at 2:20PM UTC

    They don’t want to let you go. They are reorganizing and tried to make a place to keep you. Ask if they can find more money or a 6 mo review for the new role. Also get your resume out to see if there is something better

41. AnonymousApril 14,2023 at 2:58PM UTC

    A content manager definitely doesn't appear to be the same thing as a digital marketing specialist for me. Digital marketing is just one component of the content manager, IMHO. She sounds like she would oversee everything from print, broadcast and online engagement with potential customers where the digital marketing is more focuses on sales. Quite frankly, as someone who was in the newspaper business, a good reporter is much different than a good editor or good sales representative. It would make sense as some others have said to accept the new slot and evaluate how it is going and how you are being perceived from within the inside. If you decide it isn't the right fit for you, freshen up that resume. The fact that your boss fought for you must mean someone does value you as a worker and person.- even though a raise would have been nice.

42. AnonymousApril 14,2023 at 3:07PM UTC

    If they are eliminating the position, they are doing right to offer you a job so that you are not unemployed. They must believe you are capable of handling it so that is why they are offering to you. If there is more responsibility and the position pays more, I would say do your research first regarding salary for role, then follow up with them and ask for more and explain why you should be paid more. Asking won't hurt anyone, then you can decide to accept or not.

43. Sarah MayfieldApril 14,2023 at 3:26PM UTC

    The offer is that they get the job, more work, more responsibility and NO more income. Income is the same.

44. AnonymousApril 14,2023 at 3:27PM UTC

    Personally, I would accept the job, but get ready to jump ship.

45. R.A. AndrewsApril 14,2023 at 3:38PM UTC

    In general, your feelings about changes like this are warranted and need to be processed. And the bosses are not giving you enough time to really do that. Can you ask for a few days to process this new information? Only you know how such a request may be perceived and if it is safe to ask. Also, I am not clear about if the duties you have had will remain in this "new" role. If the bosses are just adding more work to the existing job and slapping on a new title, then yes, that seems off/disrespectful. If the job is entirely new, then maybe accept and see how it goes. But it is always good to keep your resume updated and at the ready.

46. Heidi SchmidtApril 14,2023 at 4:16PM UTC

    You are right to feel bad about how the situation was presented to you. However, if your role is being eliminated, I would take the new position. I would mention to your boss that the role comes with more responsibility and ask if there a pay increase. Do research to see what this role in other companies pay so you can come with some market data.

    I'd take the role since you will be out of a job in 90 days. You can update your resume and look while you are still employed. In the current market it would be good to take the job, especially if it is allowing you to learn new skills. You are in a better position to interview for a job when you are employed. Plus, with the new skills you acquire in this new position, you will have the leverage to get a bigger pay increase in the next job you take.

47. Nuno AnjosApril 14,2023 at 4:17PM UTC

    I would take the Role, Learn as much as possible, and leave as fast as some other company oferede the 20k extra you speak of.

    One thing is clear, they have no respect for you work but they recognize their necessity for what you do!

48. AnonymousApril 14,2023 at 5:22PM UTC

    Sorry you are getting emotional about this. It sounds like an internal reorganization that might have been precipitated by the hiring of this person or other internal factors. Unless you run the team or are a manager it is not likely that your opinion matters in their decision or was even a factor. Instead of taking this as a bad sign take this as a stretch goal for yourself where the company cares enough about you to retain you amidst this shift in role and responsibilities. You may find new things to get you excited about working there and also gain some new experience. If it were me I would lick my wounds and then sit down with the manager and let them know how excited you are for the new challenge and that with the enhanced role would like to ask for an interim review in 90 days to see how you are doing which might also include a pay review. If they say no still take the job but if you truly cannot get over this start looking outside for a role where you can remain in the box you want to be in. Definitely ask the hard questions if you move and be sure that you will be contained in that job if that is truly what you want. I don't think you were given an ultimatum here you just did not expect what happened to happen and often times the emotional reaction is one of lack of control. IMHO the title change does not seem that dissimilar to what you had before its a shift in semantics that sounds more modern for the company. Good luck to you and I hope you can see the upward trajectory the stretch will provide you.

49. AnonymousApril 14,2023 at 6:10PM UTC

    Take the new role. Get the added skills - use it to market yourself to a new company.

50. AnonymousApril 14,2023 at 9:06PM UTC

    I can very much empathize with what you are going through (different field). This is a tactic of the organization to cover their butt. They can say 'well, we did offer another opportunity..'. I am going through the same thing, slightly different. Our team as a whole was told that we would be taking on more responsibility in the form of adding an entirely new (full-time) job with no increase in pay whatsoever. We do not get a choice, they just rolled out the "new" role with 2 days notice and a training that consisted of a few general PowerPoint presentations that didn't really apply to the roles. One of my colleagues went to HR to ask for an updated job description: after a 2 week delay they contacted her and said they didn't have one, but could meet with her to discuss it. She put in her notice a few days later. I'm not one to shy away from new challenges and taking on responsibility, but everyone has their breaking point. I consider it disrespectful and abusive to mandate employees to take on a second job without any increase in pay or any training on the new role. There has been no type of adjustment to make the job duties sustainable, such as decreasing the caseload for each team member or providing support and technology to make the job reasonable. I feel that we are being set up to fail and the worst part is how it is impacting our customers. They do not deserve this. Someone once gave me some advice: "work won't love you back". I am not looking for love, just basic respect and a reasonable workload. Like some of the commenters say: take the job, use this time to dust off your resume, and search for something else. I'm sorry you are going through this...

51. AnonymousApril 14,2023 at 10:13PM UTC

    A lot of great feedback already.

    Mine is to remove the personal feelings about this, don't take it personal, it is business. I wish I had figured that out years ago, it would have saved me a lot of feeling hurt and thinking I was taken advantage of (in hindsight 9 times out of 10 I wasn't).

    I have learned with HR, reorgs, human beings who make up these departments put these plans into action and what may feel like something totally last minute, was something that took a lot of moving parts to get to where you are now. Is it the best way to handle it, no way, however being an asset to the team, ask for what you want so they know your aspirations and goals. It is not happening now, but it shows your maturity and leadership skills and it sets you on a good part for later (and like others or taking another role elsewhere).

52. Kelly MeigsApril 15,2023 at 1:03PM UTC

    Take the new role so you can add it to your resume and immediately start looking for a new job. Trust me, your skills are in high demand and you can find a role and salary you deserve!

53. AnonymousApril 17,2023 at 1:40AM UTC

    I agree! The sacrifice of taking on more job responsibilities along with a great job title is going up payoff in the long run. In two years she can move on to another company that will pay much more!

54. AnonymousApril 15,2023 at 2:56PM UTC

    I agree with the comment that said take the new role to add to your resume/profile and then take your time and seek out an opportunity where you get the salary you deserve as well as a great company to work for. I have been in your shoes and waited 4 years for the pay I deserved that was promised time after time and never received. I did move on to another company that compensated me well.

55. Rosa GoesApril 15,2023 at 10:07PM UTC

    I recommend you have an honest conversation with your manager. You could have asked if you did a good job, or the reason for the change. It sounds like your manager wanted to focus on the positive, and it the company as a whole is reorganizing. I doubt it has anything to do with your performance. But you need to ask just to make sure. If you are certain this new role is $20K more in salary, then I would accept it and gain as much experience as you can until your ready to move on. Sometimes a step back is really a step forward. Good luck to you!

56. AnonymousApril 16,2023 at 12:23AM UTC

    It sounds like they are reorganizing and labels don't always mean anything. Pay scales are set by the company and I don't know how much you make or when your last pay increase was? Those things are factored in. You would be wise to take the new role and learn some new duties etc. and see if it something you enjoy. When you are due for a pay increase that will come at the right time, and if it doesn't you are always free to look for another job. Many companies lay off and do not offer another role, so rethink this. They did tell you but may be it wasn't what you wanted to hear. So make the best of it, and move on later, if need be.