Job Issues - Long

[jensen]

I need some advice on something... I work in sales and marketing for a small family-owned company. My boss is the President, his son is VP and his wife does the bookeeping.

My past two jobs have been similar, but prior to that I had worked as a professional graphic designer. That was my first job out of college and I quickly realized it wasn't for me, so I moved into my current area of expertise.

When I applied for, interviewed for and accepted this position, there was never any mention by myself or my boss about doing graphic design work. I no longer list that experience on my resume and my boss's son (our VP) always did the graphic design work here.

After being here for about a year, I was talking with my boss one day about the possibility of hiring someone professional to do some of the graphic design projects because his son wasn't really interested in it anymore. I mentioned that I knew a few people who were really good from my prior experience. As the conversation progressed, it came out that I have these skills but was so burnt out that I didn't do it anymore and had no interest in it. He commiserated because he had recently put his stepdaughter through college for graphic design and she quickly realized she had no interest in pursuing it as a career.

I didn't think anything of it until my annual review came up and my boss asked his son (our VP) to assist. As part of the review I learned I wouldn't be getting a raise because of the economy, but his son suggested that they would buy me an upgraded computer system if I wanted to learn to use some of the graphic design software. They had obviously not discussed this before the review actually took place, because both I and my boss were shocked. But, my boss explained that wasn't something I was interested in and the issue was dropped.

In the meantime, I have taken on some minor projects that require design skills and, since I've been here, they've never hired anyone outside of the company to do design work.

But, there is a big project coming up that is going to require some professional design. I've been in contact with a few firms to get some quotes. Today, in discussing some other issues with my boss, he mentioned that I "would be more valuable to him" if I would do the graphic design on this project myself.

You cannot imagine how offensive that was to me. But, my question is... I'm not getting paid more, so is it right for him to expect me to use my specialized skills to do something that I wasn't hired to do and have made clear that I don't have any interest in doing, just because he's too cheap to hire someone?

I should have just kept my mouth shut because if he didn't know I had these skills, he wouldn't be pressuring me right now.

 

[msmayor]

To 'expect' you to do something you were not hired for? No...you could kindly explain to him that while you are not considering yourself a graphic designer anymore, if he truly wants you to take on that responsibility then you need to negotiate a different salary.

Or make it very clear to him that you are not interested at all.

Of course, in such a small firm, if the skills required for your job are not specialized and he can find someone willing to do what you do now PLUS the graphics work, you could find yourself out of a job. He may not want to hire outsiders for the graphics work because of the cost.

 

[Ceila]

Would you be taking on the graphic design work in addition to your regular responsibilities, or is it work that's generally considered a higher level than what you currently do? If so, then you certainly could approach your boss about renegotiating your salary.

If you absolutely don't want to do this, you could try to explain to your boss that either your current responsibilities don't allow you enough time to devote to the graphic design project or that your design skills are not current so you don't feel you could perform up to the standards needed. However, with so many companys' budgets for outsourcing being tight, I think you might have a better chance of getting a small bump in salary to take this on instead of insisting on using an outside firm.

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

I would say that if they expect you to do the job that you do AS WELL AS the extra project (b/c I know what kind of hours designing takes...) then your pay should reflect the extra work.

You have made it more than clear that you are not interested in design anymore and that should not affect your job position. Graphic design was not in the job description you agreed to and therefore should not be expected of you now.

 

[Handbag Lady]

To 'expect' you to do something you were not hired for? No...you could kindly explain to him that while you are not considering yourself a graphic designer anymore, if he truly wants you to take on that responsibility then you need to negotiate a different salary.

This, exactly this.

If you truly do not want to do it, tell them no, even if they gave you more salary.

 

[diznygirl]

You could ask if this is turning into a graphic design position, because if it is you should be looking for a new job since you do not want to be a graphic designer. I wonder if he would change his mind? Anywho, this is a difficult position to be in because once the cat is out of the bag, then it starts becoming expected. Bosses - they can be so difficult! Why can't they just let you do the job you were hired to do?

 

[jensen]

I really appreciate all the feedback... it's so nice to be able to come here and vent to supportive people such as yourselves. What really ticks me off is that I have been doing whatever design work is absolutely necessary - he hasn't had to spend a dime to hire anyone the whole time I've been here.

But, this is a big project that I just don't want to do... and I have more than enough money in my budget to pay for it. He's just cheap and figures that if I can do, it will save him money.

I cannot really leverage this for a raise because 1) Graphic Designers make less than I do and 2) I've got a very flexible schedule, so I could fit the work in, I just don't want to do it.

When he made that stupid statement this morning, I did remind him that I don't have a good enough computer system or the right software to do it anyway. He'd have to pony up for that, so he may as well just pay a designer and be done with it.

 

[Judy from Boise]

every single job description in our organizations end with the phrase "and other duties as assigned" I am in the habit of doing whatever my boss asks of me as long as it is legal and ethical. I really could not imagine saying no......I could explain how this my effect my current responsibilities, or the resources I will need....but not "no".