Is this legal?

[becks]

Probably is, but hoping not. I have been in a junior position for two years, the man senior to me has left and they have decided to do away with his job, even though essentially i am now doing it - well not essentially, I AM doing it! It's more responsibilty and more work - so can they do this? Am I not entitled to pay rise and job title? I am as qualified as the guy who left and have been told "if the job was still here" it would be mine. Any ideas?

[camille79]

I was in a similar position and eventually managed to negotiate a payrise (not as much as my boss tho!) to reflect the added responsibility.  This was also backdated to when I started the additional duties. 

I'd dig out your contract and job desciption - if this doesn't include some of the tasks you are doing at the moment then it gives you grounds for renegotiating your contract.  Also, it is fair to point out that 1 person cannot do the work of 2 and you will either need to reduce the quantity of work or risk mistakes etc.  You could perhaps suggest a new member of staff, junior to you, who could help with day-to-day filing, admin type tasks.

If all else fails, start looking elsewhere where your skills and experience will be more appropriately rewarded. 

[atolhurst]

It's not illegal but it isn't exactly fair.

The best way to approach the subject is to get a copy of your most recent job spec. Compare that spec to the spec of the guy who just left. If you don't have a spec, then make a list of the duities you are supposed to undertake (not actually do) and a second list of duties that the person who just left is supposed to undertake, and identify where the two overlap

If you feel the duties you undertake are included in the spec of the person who just left, then your wage should be reconsidered. Use this evidence with your manager, perhaps making the point that if you didn't do the extra tasks, then they wouldn't be able to do away with the other chaps spec so they might want to consider saving themselves some � by giving you a payrise rather than getting in an entire other person.

By making an effort to present them with some facts and figures, they make take you more seriously. If worse comes to worse, you may want to consider work to rule (ie, only undertake tasks that are covered in your spec). It can be considered childish by employers but if they really don't listen and your additional effort really does have an impact, it should make the point with them before too long.