How do you deal with doing work that is above your pay grade?

14 Comments

1. Lynne CoganFebruary 28,2020 at 9:53PM UTC

   Napoleon Hill said, "The man [or woman] who does more than he is paid for will soon be paid for more than he does."

   Welcome the work. Do the best you can. Use it as an opportunity to learn and grow. If your current employer doesn't appreciate your improved worth, some other employer will.

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2. Rebecca JonesMarch 3,2020 at 1:36PM UTC

   That last part is key.

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3. Melissa HealeyMarch 3,2020 at 4:40PM UTC

   This is such a great point! I work for a cash strapped start up, and regularly do work that is not in my job description and is above my my grade. i know that unless something big happens, i am not going to get rewarded at my current position. BUT i keep an updated resume in google docs, and whenever i complete a big project, or start regularly doing work over my pay grade, i add it into my resume.

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4. Lynne CoganMarch 3,2020 at 6:50PM UTC

   Excellent idea and suggestion for others.

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5. Robin StoneFebruary 28,2020 at 11:13PM UTC

   I always view these as opportunities to get out of my comfort zone. I have been thanked after completing the assignment. I welcome these opportunities and have yet to feel taken advantage of... :-)

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6. Barb HansenFebruary 29,2020 at 12:16AM UTC

   I have always welcomed and eagerly sort out the opportunity to do work "above my pay grade" and usually that work has lead to raises, promotions or a new job.

   I think the issue to look at is how your company handles internal promotions and raises, and how amenable you are to move to another company if your newly gained skills aren't appreciated (with a raise or/and a promotion) at your current company

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7. obeFebruary 29,2020 at 12:21AM UTC

   I graciously accept challenges and am grateful for the recognition - whether verbal and/or financial. I do believe conscientious employees are more likely to retain their jobs and become marketable in the workplace in this era of downsizing and layoffs.

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8. Gina DiamanteMarch 3,2020 at 1:54PM UTC

   Working above my pay grade is how I've gotten every promotion I've ever had. But it took me a couple of years to realize how important it was for me to get outside of my comfort zone. As a young, green journalist I voiced my discomfort over producing an hour-long newscast with next to no experience (the previous producer had left, the new one hadn't arrived and I was the only option). It was very much a learn-by-doing shop, and I spent a little too much time worrying instead of learning. It held me back for a bit.

   Some questions for you: Is this a company habit, assigning people to work at a level above their norm? Does it feel like they're doing it so you can learn, or because they're setting you up to fail? Or are you filling in for absent co-workers? If others are also being asked to work above pay grade, have they reaped any rewards from it? (Beyond the knowledge which is invaluable; put this stuff on your resume!)

   I'd mostly be concerned if they seem to be setting you up to fail. Otherwise, I'd be keeping track of everything and push for a raise or promotion. And if none is forthcoming, you have all this great experience that you can put to work for your next boss.

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9. lsmoore9061March 3,2020 at 1:54PM UTC

   I have taken on a ton of projects that are way out of my job classification. Unfortunately I work at a state university under major budget restrictions, so any sort of compensation or job reclassification is out of the question. And as in the past, when a reclassification WAS attempted I was told the additional duties were part of the "Duties as assigned" line at the bottom of my job description.

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10. Victoria StanislavovichMarch 3,2020 at 2:34PM UTC

    I feel for you. Even though I do not work for a university my company frequently tells me the same thing. So here I am 4 years later: burned out, getting grossly underpaid and working tons of overtime

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11. lsmoore9061March 3,2020 at 3:48PM UTC

    I am basically trapped here. There is currently a hiring freeze so no chance to obtain a position elsewhere on campus. I have to stay, my OPERS is here, I am hopefully 5 years out from retirement plus my daughter is in school-tuition free. That's a 70G benefit.

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12. Victoria StanislavovichMarch 3,2020 at 4:17PM UTC

    I am so sorry! Just take it a day at a time I found out it is the easiest thing to do.

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13. Carolyn HipkinsMarch 3,2020 at 3:15PM UTC

    I agree with this approach. Doing things above my pay grade successfully is how I got raises and promotions. But you do have to speak up for yourself.

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14. Maggie WalkerMarch 3,2020 at 3:54PM UTC

    I always viewed "working above my paygrade" in a different way. In one of my first jobs out of college, the boss broke his foot six weeks after I started the job. Since it was just him and me, the majority of work fell to me. I called it "a baptism of fire." I took up the banner and we managed to keep the business afloat and make it profitable. In the years since, I just do whatever is handed to me. The downside is that no extra compensation was usually offered as the employers have never thought of it as "above my paygrade." They found out when I left when they had to hire two or three people to replace me. And when they had to spend more I never felt guilty!

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