Double Duty?

[Shell333]

What is the name of your state? Virginia

I have been employed for almost ten years at a large company that consists of many specialized departments. Recently my supervisor has required those in my department to be "cross-trained", basically forcing us to learn another totally unrelated job. I enjoy my current position and I do well at it. I have completed all necessary training to be certified in my position. I have no interest nor aptitude for this other job, and this is not mentioned in the job description (which does, however, contain a general line which basically says, "and anything else we tell you to do.) I don't like being forced into duties that I would hate and never agree to do. I am ready to quit over this. Can they require us to perform duties of another job without additional compensation? This other job is not a higher grade but it is still another job nonetheless and totally not related to my current job. Thanks.

 

[divgradcurl]

Can they require us to perform duties of another job without additional compensation?

Yes -- there are no laws that limit what an employer can ask you to do, as long as what they ask is lawful.

 

[cbg]

Unless you have a contract that specifically limits what job duties you can be asked to do, cross-training is not only legal, it is considered good business practice.

 

[Beth3]

I am ready to quit over this. That's your choice but since many, many employers have discovered over the last decade or two that cross-training employees is an excellent idea for a variety of reasons, chances are anywhere you'd work will involve cross-training as well.

Can they require us to perform duties of another job without additional compensation? Yes. You need not be paid more than minimum wage even if they cross-train you on 100 different jobs.

 

[HomeGuru]

Interesting. I got one person in my office that answers my phone, makes me coffee, types, delivers documents around town, takes my clothers to the drycleaners, takes my car to be washed, does shopping, picks up my kids from soccer etc. and she gets the same pay for doing all those tasks.