In the corporate world, is it normal to always perform the job a level above yours before being promoted?

Question

I am going crazy, but maybe the problem is just my mentality. See, I'd always assumed I should be doing the job I'm getting paid for and getting paid for the job I'm doing. I have always been one to try to take on more responsibilities and achieve a promotion but my current situation has gone too far (or so it seems to me.)

I've been at an "entry level" position for 10 months at my current employer. A position for which I was decidedly overqualified for to begin with but took because it would get me a foot in the door.

In the 10 months since coming onboard I've taken on more and more until now I am actually performing not only my own full job functions but the full job functions of a position at least 2 levels higher (for example, those actually in that job are being paid 15K more than me.)

I'm pretty fed up but I don't want to make a fuss and risk possibly being let go. My managers know I'm capable and need to move up but it's been nothing but empty promises the whole time.

I'm on the verge of quitting, or at the very least internally transferring to a different department. Am I just looking at it all wrong? Is this the way it works in the corporate world? Or am I being totally taken advantage of?

Answer 1

this is how capitalism works . the bosses exploit the workers till they wear out or quit , then get a new sucker in .

Answer 2

I've been at my job for 5 years now and have gone through similar circumstances more than once.

The first time, I waited it out for over 6 months (doing a job I had not yet been promoted to). I kept hearing empty promises until I finally threatened to leave the company if the situation was not resolved. Luckily for me it worked and I promptly received a promotion and a bump on the pay grade scale.

This very easily could have backfired and I was prepared for that. I think this happens to a lot of people.

Answer 3

Contact HR.  

Build your case by preparing documentation showing the duties are that you are actually performing and the job level they are normally assigned to.

Tell HR that you want to know when you can expect a salary review and promotion and what your near and long term prospects are.  Definitely pin them down on how soon the situation will be resolved -- one way or the other.  

Don't threaten to quit or deliver any ultimatums.  Take a positive approach.

Jerry-the-bookkeeper