Hired for a position, but posted as a lower title in HR

[Cali11]

State: CA

I was hired as a Project Manager for the company I currently work at. I've been there for 4 1/2 years. All documentation I've received confirms that I am a Project Manager, everyone throughout the company knows me as and refers to me as a Project Manager, and I perform the duties of a Project Manager. The problem is that the Human Resources Department lists me as a Business Analyst (a lower position in the industry) in their system. I have talked to HR and a couple of Directors in the company about this, but they will not change the title due to company politics. My position has also never had a grade or salary range. Is this legal? I know I am very under paid. If I try to apply for another Project Manager position outside of the company, once they call my HR department they will be incorrectly informed that my role in the company was that of a Business Analyst.

Cali11

 

[Beth3]

My position has also never had a grade or salary range. Is this legal? Sure. No laws require an employer to establish pay grades or salary ranges and they're free to use whatever job title they wish. They could call IT Project Managers janitors if they wish to. It'd be stupid but it'd be legal.

If I try to apply for another Project Manager position outside of the company, once they call my HR department they will be incorrectly informed that my role in the company was that of a Business Analyst. So what? Speaking as someone who is in a senior HR position and who has recruited loads of IT professionals over the years, I'm much more interested in your job responsibilities and accomplishments than I am in your job title. On your resume you should list "Business Analyist" and then in the text following, detail your IT project management experience. HR/hiring managers understand that different companies have their own nomenclature for positions and that they can vary considerably from company to company, even if the job content is the same. It's just important that your resume jive with what your past employers verify as your job title, dates of employment, job duties, etc. when contacted for a reference.

You're overly concerned about this and you just don't need to be.