Message #68587

[rose.winter1980]

You need to tread carefully here.  Adding a new area of work to your job description is not the same as adding a new project.  For instance, if you job is to do reception work all day long and suddenly your employers ask you to take on the cleaning of the whole building as well or instead of reception work, then that is a new job entirely.  On the other hand, if they ask you to do some administrative work whilst you are manning the reception desk, that is a slightly different thing.

You should be aware that taking on new projects can add significantly to your work portfolio and what you can offer to your current employer and future employers.  So, it could be a feather in your cap and I wouldn't turn down this opportunity or necessarily consider that your "rights" are being threatened.  Certainly not in a recession, but that doesn't mean you have to be a push-over.

So, what to do?  You should ask for a meeting with your line manager and say to him that you were surprised he hadn't told you about this project; you are happy to be involved in it but it will impact significantly (and state what impact) on your workload.  You could use that opportunity to say, if it is true, that your job has changed significantly since you took it on and it is no longer the job to which you were appointed, but a different job and you would like the opportunity to discuss revising your job description/job title etc etc.  And see where that leads.  

Sounds as though communication between you and your line manager needs to be improved, and you should target that by telling your line manager you would like to offer the best service possible, but you cannot do that unless there is adequate and appropriate communication.  

Winter Rose

Laugh long, sing loud and dance when you get the chance