What should I do?

**no1_vern** · March 25th, 2009, 05:42 PM

POP quiz:

My boss has left the company. I have been told by his supervisor(our section leader) that because of the hard times, I need to step up, to do the ex-supervisors work - without getting paid supervisors pay - for the next 3-6 months. At that time my work will be evaluated and I would receive pay appropriate for the position from the evaluation day forward. I would receive NO additional pay for the additional 3-6 months of work.

On one hand I have a good chance of getting ahead with this company. I had planned to make this company a career choice. To stay at least 10 years or longer. With today's job climate, I may be better off just accepting the extra work without the extra pay.

On the other, I will be performing as a supervisor without getting paid for it. As I said above, I had planned on staying, but if I'm being asked to work without adequate pay now, I am sure I will be "asked" to do it again. I'm looking at not getting paid almost 15% more money. Money that I could really use, and if I am doing the job, I deserve.

**Pexster** · March 25th, 2009, 05:45 PM

I suggest asserting yourself and saying "No." Accepting this situation is just inviting more demeaning behavior in the future. If you don't demand respect, they'll not give it.

(But I also admit that this is very situational, and only you know the culture.)

**surreal** · March 25th, 2009, 05:53 PM

Originally Posted by Pexster

I suggest asserting yourself and saying "No." Accepting this situation is just inviting more demeaning behavior in the future. If you don't demand respect, they'll not give it.

(But I also admit that this is very situational, and only you know the culture.)

I'd hate to be the one to encourage him to feel respect in the unemployment line.

I think if you really want to stay there, do it with documentation about what will happen in the future and make sure it is not a vague and maybe proposition.
It is not any different than some of the companies that are cutting pay for employees in this difficult time (you've read their posts vern).

**surreal** · March 25th, 2009, 05:54 PM

Why is this in the debate section?

**brandon184** · March 25th, 2009, 06:02 PM

What's the reason behind not paying you adequately for the job for 3-6 months? Sounds like a scam.

**Chuckiechan** · March 25th, 2009, 08:25 PM

Take it. It's not uncommon to move people up into positions as "temps" or "interim". But if you do well, you get the title and the pay. If you don't you get bumped back to where you were.

Don't get all sinister and paranoid. Take it as a promotion and be thankful you were asked.

**tony_j15** · March 25th, 2009, 09:05 PM

You know your company culture and how far you can push this. Do what you can. I had a similar situation at work where our manager left and the SM had to do two people's jobs for 4 months with no extra compensation. Good news is, they bumped him up after that.

**Knothead** · March 25th, 2009, 09:29 PM

I have a similar situation, and it sucks.

The vampires are coming out to feed, owing to the current economic climate. People are getting pushed into unrecognizable shapes.

~From a conversation of the day before yesterday (I was trying to negotiate) in which the situation (with the client, who was suddenly tryng to screw me over, in spite of our agreements) was deteriorating pretty bad:

Client: "Look, no offense, it's just business!"

Me: "Yes, and conducted by human beings, with at least SOME level of common decency!"

Client: "What can I tell you. It's just business."

Ya know? It's all hostility and lies, now. Crap.

That isn't "business". That's a person who knows I'm in a vulnerable position, and is attempting to take advantage.

Get used to it, buddy. I think that this is the face of what's coming.

**The Real Bingo** · March 25th, 2009, 09:36 PM

If you had an agreement (verbal/written contract), Knot, you can probably seek legal recourse. Probably not worth it, though, unless you know someone who'd do it pro bono.

Anyway, Vern...what other option to you have? You can stay in your position for $X and probably not get a promotion later, or you can fulfill a supervisory role and possibly get a promotion/raise later. I'd say do it...especially if you need/want a challenge or something different.

**Toadman** · March 25th, 2009, 11:21 PM

I suggest asserting yourself and saying "No." Accepting this situation is just inviting more demeaning behavior in the future. If you don't demand respect, they'll not give it.

Nice one, Einstein. You sound like an entitled career chick and that shit doesn't fly anymore. He'll get the pink-slip and diet on the gov't cheese, the next guy in line behind will say yes(with family to feed), work like a dog and if the economy rebounds he'll be on-top. Pex did your grandparents live thru the Great Depression?

**Pexster** · March 25th, 2009, 11:28 PM

From Jackass--

Nice one, Einstein. You sound like an entitled career chick and that shit doesn't fly anymore. He'll get the pink-slip and diet on the gov't cheese, the next guy in line behind will say yes(with family to feed), work like a dog and if the economy rebounds he'll be on-top. Pex did your grandparents live thru the Great Depression?

Nice how you conveniently leave out my last sentence. "You sound like . . . . " Go suck your muffler!

**Toadman** · March 26th, 2009, 12:04 AM

Ok, the "jackass" apologetically posts it below. creative edit btw, nice.

(But I also admit that this is very situational, and only you know the culture.)

Nor the economic condition his occupation is in. Hence you are in no position to profer advice that could leave him unemployed for who knows how long. It's a decision with possible long-term effects he must make alone, do we not agree?

Nevermind, you're responding to a burro.

**Pexster** · March 26th, 2009, 09:35 AM

Of course it's a decision only he can make. But he asked for input. My statement is valid, and I underscored it with my caveat.

**Theophylact** · March 26th, 2009, 10:15 AM

Originally Posted by Knothead

I have a similar situation, and it sucks.

The vampires are coming out to feed, owing to the current economic climate. People are getting pushed into unrecognizable shapes.

~From a conversation of the day before yesterday (I was trying to negotiate) in which the situation (with the client, who was suddenly tryng to screw me over, in spite of our agreements) was deteriorating pretty bad:

Client: "Look, no offense, it's just business!"

Me: "Yes, and conducted by human beings, with at least SOME level of common decency!"

Client: "What can I tell you. It's just business."

Ya know? It's all hostility and lies, now. Crap.

That isn't "business". That's a person who knows I'm in a vulnerable position, and is attempting to take advantage.

Get used to it, buddy. I think that this is the face of what's coming.

Tom Hagen: The boss says he'll come in a separate car. He says for you two to go on ahead.
Tessio: Hell, he can't do that; that screws up all my arrangements.
Tom Hagen: Well, that's what he said.
Tom Hagen: I can't go with you either, Tessio.
[as bodyguards materialize around them, Tessio understands everything]
Tessio: [to Hagen] Tell Mike it was only business, I always liked him.
Tom Hagen: He understands that.
Tom Hagen: [removing Tessio's gun] Excuse me, Sally.
Tessio: Can you get me off the hook, Tom? For old times' sake?
Tom Hagen: [shakes his head] Can't do it, Sally.
[Hagen watches sadly as Tessio is led to a waiting car]

**Chuckiechan** · March 26th, 2009, 10:22 AM

Well, when your new boss starts pushing you around, remember that you "didn't bend to the man". Reminds me of an employee who came into my office once full of this "respect" crap because he didn't like the job the lead man assigned to him. I told him to get out of my office and grow up.

If you don't want the job, then maybe you aren't cut out for it. Not everyone needs to get promoted, it just good for those who are interested in advancement. It's no crime not to, but be warned that you probably won't be considered for advancement again.

Funny, you mentioned you want to stay for 10 years. That was under the old economy. Have you looked around? There is no place to go - you are stuck, and no one knows for how long.

**no1_vern** · March 26th, 2009, 02:10 PM

Yes, I am asking for your opinions(input).

Um, chuckie, it really isnt the same as asking for respect. Its more work without compensation. Would you accept an additional 12-16 hours of work a week without getting paid for those hours? If the person who came to you told you he was being told to work an extra day(or two) w/o pay, would you still have kicked him out??

The idea of being forced into extra work without getting extra pay DOES feel like a con.

**SiliconJon** · March 26th, 2009, 02:17 PM

Originally Posted by no1_vern

POP quiz:

My boss has left the company. I have been told by his supervisor(our section leader) that because of the hard times, I need to step up, to do the ex-supervisors work - without getting paid supervisors pay - for the next 3-6 months. At that time my work will be evaluated and I would receive pay appropriate for the position from the evaluation day forward. I would receive NO additional pay for the additional 3-6 months of work.

On one hand I have a good chance of getting ahead with this company. I had planned to make this company a career choice. To stay at least 10 years or longer. With today's job climate, I may be better off just accepting the extra work without the extra pay.

On the other, I will be performing as a supervisor without getting paid for it. As I said above, I had planned on staying, but if I'm being asked to work without adequate pay now, I am sure I will be "asked" to do it again. I'm looking at not getting paid almost 15% more money. Money that I could really use, and if I am doing the job, I deserve.

So long as I trust the environment I would have to easily say yes, as this is quite similar to attending school to boost your training. You're about to put much of your own resources on the line to get up to speed at a new career that should pay off big time.

If there's reason for distrust I would still say yes, but be more prepared for the end result to turn out less than desired. Just be sure any precautions you may take if this were the situation do not make a self-fullfilling prophecy.

So take the opportunity, give it all you can, and maybe on day one of month 3 push for an assertive check on your progress by the supers.