Should I be doing another department's job?

Question

I work in the Mail-room at a university; but recently the print shop department has lost some of it's staff members. Now our boss wants us to perform print shop duties as well as the copy center's. We also have to accommodate them and rearrange our lunch hours so they can eat when they want to eat. Is this acceptable?

Answer 1

If they are demanding additional duties without giving additional pay then no, I would not perform the added duties. Ask for more pay and have them rewrite your job duties and function or file a wage claim with the states employment office.

Answer 2

Yes, if your boss tells you to.  He has that right.  If you aren't happy with your job, your legal right is to look for a different job.

Answer 3

Of course it is.  You're the employee -- boss gets to set what the job entails.

The truth is that some jobs are dead-enders.  If your co-worker has been there for ten years without much recognition and with little pay-increase, why would he still be there?  Ten years is a long time to stay in a job that's going nowhere.  

Your choice is to go along with the changes or find other employment.  Morale is sometimes a choice of the employees -- there are people out there without jobs who would be glad to trade places.  Choose to be happy, or change jobs.  It's truly that simple.

Answer 4

Think about it being a "new job skill".  You need all the experience you can get in this job market.  The only violation might be if you do not get a break, or they are not paying you for hours worked if you are non-exempt from fair labor standards.  Think positive!  You will be appreciated as a helpful employee and when/if layoffs occur...will be last to go with the right attitude!

Answer 5

Yes

Answer 6

Two ways of looking at this.

1.  If you complain and start to make a fuss you will be seen as the squeaky wheel and that could be a bad thing.

2.  You put your head down and gladly accept your new job function and show that you can be a team player and pick up the slack.

With option 1 there is the possibility that it could affect your future employment or opportunities.  With option 2 you will be taking on more work and responsibility.  Could be a good thing in the end.  Anything that is going to get you noticed and show that you can get the job finished no matter the obstacles is good in my book.

I would suggest that you accept the new functions but also point out that you have to maintain your current duties also.  Just as you have to accommodate them and their schedules, they must also accommodate you.

If your supervisor doesn't see it that way then I would start looking for a new job.  

Answer 7

Sucky yeah...but they can do what they want.  Your job description probably says "all other duties as assigned" leaving it wide open.  i once had a job where i learned 5 departments and thought i'd be in one...

Answer 8

Well personally I just flirt with my boss to get out of those duties. But maybe you should talk to him one on one about it.