That's not my job

[Epectasis]

This isnt a situation that has particularly occured to me, but i wonder how others would react to it and how they would deal with it. This is purely hypothetical, so bare with me.

Let's say you are a graphic designer by trade but end up working as an administrative assistant. Your duties include everything that an admin.assist. does but nothing graphic design related. Upon hiring, they stress this point.

A few months later, your boss comes to you and brings up the fact that you are a graphic designer. He then says that they would like you to design something, be it a logo or whatever, doesnt matter. I must stress that this is not something that will pay you extra...this is being asked of you as if it was part of your duties. Almost expected, actually.

Now if placed in this situation, what is your reaction?

1) Do you do it without saying anything, and just deal with what it entices?

2) Do you tell your boss that this is going to cost him extra and that it is'nt part of your duties in the first place?

3) Do you plainly refuse as this has nothing to do with what you were hired for and that you are not interested in dealing with what it entices?

There's probably some other options, but im curious as to what you guys feel like about that.

[jlknauff]

Do you want to stop doing AA work (admin assistant, not alcoholics anonymous - you can keep the bottle in your drawer like the rest of us)? Then the answer is yes. Really, the answer is yes anyway as long as you are on the clock.

[Jimeda Fork]

I think it depends upon your "situation." Meaning your relationship with your boss. If you were say no, don't expect him to offer anything else ever.

Next week, I'll be conducting a phone line audit in my office. I'll be trying to figure out which lines are active and unused. Nothing to do with my job, but a change of pace, so I gonna enjoy it.

[Epectasis]

What i meant though was as a professional, in terms of a graphic design and respect for the industry, do you do the job or not?

Im not talking about a lil thing like designing some silly logo that is to be used internally...im talking about a job like a website or a logo used on annual reports. that kind of thing.

Something that would, if it were to be contracted to a designer be upwards 500$.

[Jimeda Fork]

1. if you are qualified to do it - yes
2. what happens if you say no


On another note, job descriptons change/adjust. My responsibilities today are much greater than they were when I started.

If my boss said that we couldn't afford the janitor and needed me to empty trash cans and clean the bathrooms, then that's my job description. Granted, I would be looking for another job shortly thereafter, but things could be worse. For example, my brother is doing roadside patrols in Afghanistan. But that's just my opinion.

[EC]

I would do it and be damn happy about it. It's called gaining experience, I would take it wherever I could get it and wouldn't have a chip on my shoulder about it. If I felt I was underpaid, I'd ask for a raise or go elsewhere. I'm with Jimeda, I would also clean the bathroom if I was asked. A paycheck is a paycheck.

[Epectasis]

1. if you are qualified to do it - yes
2. what happens if you say no


On another note, job descriptons change/adjust. My responsibilities today are much greater than they were when I started.

If my boss said that we couldn't afford the janitor and needed me to empty trash cans and clean the bathrooms, then that's my job description. Granted, I would be looking for another job shortly thereafter, but things could be worse. For example, my brother is doing roadside patrols in Afghanistan. But that's just my opinion.

what your brother is doing is indeed much worse.

I was just wondering what other's take was on it. It's never actually happened to me but i was wondering what i would do if it ever did. Especially if i was told that this job had no graphic design involved in it and that i had to make sure i was okay with that. I mean there should obviously be limits as to what you should accept and what you shouldnt...

i have accepted to do graphic design at my old job. but it was really minor stuff and i was really happy about it as it changed up from the monotony that was my job.

Im also thinking further ahead too...there's all kinds of tangibles here...like if it's a printed job and then something goes wrong, or if you're unable to finish some other work that you have because your boss told you that this was priority and then comes around to complain about it etc...

[flutterby nut]

i'd do it in a heartbeat...if gd is what i'm trained for and i'm still working as an AA, i'd be wanting opportunities to break into my field of choice...if the boss asks me to design something, there's a potential portfolio piece/real world experience right there, and i'd snatch it up, because every little bit of that helps...i'd also make sure i had permission in writing before designing that i could use it in my portfolio/promotional efforts, to cover your butt...who knows...show real ability and more gd work could come your way and some of your AA duties could be shifted to the shoulders of someone else...what a great opportunity i say...hope it's less hypothetical than you're implying...lol...;)

[Epectasis]

i'd do it in a heartbeat...if gd is what i'm trained for and i'm still working as an AA, i'd be wanting opportunities to break into my field of choice...if the boss asks me to design something, there's a potential portfolio piece/real world experience right there, and i'd snatch it up, because every little bit of that helps...i'd also make sure i had permission in writing before designing that i could use it in my portfolio/promotional efforts, to cover your butt...who knows...show real ability and more gd work could come your way and some of your AA duties could be shifted to the shoulders of someone else...what a great opportunity i say...hope it's less hypothetical than you're implying...lol...;)

lol sadly, no it is....im currently unemployed...i've been a real bum for the last four months. I was doing administrative work and i did some design work while there, but then got laid off, amongst about 2000 other employees.

Im looking im looking...

[flutterby nut]

bummer!

[PrintDriver]

I'd do it. The first few times. If it began happening on a regular basis, depending on what my base pay was at the time, I might bring it up with the boss that it is either 'above and beyond' or a different job category (ie pay scale). Especially if they tell you right up front, 'this is not a design position'.

[Silence04]

as long as your doing things other than Graphic design as well, then your still doing the duties of an admin. assistant...
your title declares that you will help any area of the company that needs assistance. desgin, data entry, reception, inventory, production, driving to pick up food for the office or what ever.

don't be insulted if they find out you design and because of that they want you to do some graphics work too.. that's just them using all of your skills you have to offer to help them.

refusing to following thru with the jobs they deligate to you will only lead to problems. but going above and beyond your duties can only help you towards your next raise/promotion.

[Rocketpig]

I would do the job, make it work well, make the boss happy...

Then ask for a raise because your job duties have changed.

[Jeizzavelle]

I have the opposie problem. I am the graphic designer here but I do admin. work. (answering phones, making spreadsheets, taking orders, and handling complaints and crap). I do it because it gives me experience in both field at the same time and it looks good on a resume. It makes me look flexible and employers like that. Same with the above situation. If you get a chance to do something extra do it! You are only making your wage per hoour and no design fee but at least you can put it on your resume later. And you get brownie points with the boss. Sorry to hear you're unemployed now. Good luck with the job search!

[reuber1]

I would do it and be damn happy about it. It's called gaining experience, I would take it wherever I could get it and wouldn't have a chip on my shoulder about it. If I felt I was underpaid, I'd ask for a raise or go elsewhere. I'm with Jimeda, I would also clean the bathroom if I was asked. A paycheck is a paycheck.I'd give my left nut to do that. I'm tech support and praying that I get to design something here, and lo and behold I get something. Albeit limited, but still, something. Don't see why they don't just make me do it all; I was just sent a Quark file to edit our companie's logo, without the image attached.

[LeftBrain Artist]

I do whatever is asked of me if its within my abilities. I've put together office furniture, helped move the office, audit jobs, done just about everything except for cashing the checks from the clients, and cutting checks for us employees. Way I see it, if it needs to be done and I'm not terribly busy with paying jobs - do it. If its cheaper for me to do it - i.e. we would be paying an outside source more than my hourly billing rate - and it doesn't take that long, I should do it. I figured out a while ago that by averaging 5.5 billable hours each day, I will generate roughly 3 times my salary in revenues for the year. this leaves roughly 2 hours each day for me to do things that the company cannot bill for - review billing, clean my desk, make coffee, do routine computer maintenance, troubleshoot software and hardware problems, production management meetings, post on forums, etc.

Its in my best interest for the company to run smoothly so I can get paid on a regular basis. Obviously I'm better suited for some tasks vs. others, but whatever I can do to help - that's what I'm paid for. If they want to pay me designer wages for plunging the toilet - so be it. I benefit from having a clean john as much as anyone else. Not to mention clients who visit and use a dirty restroom are likely to find a different design firm to work with.

If someone you worked with fell unconcious and started bleeding from the mouth and you were the only one around, you'd probably call 911 - even though its not in your job description. Policies and job descriptions are fine things and usually well thought out - but they shouldn't override common sense - a concept which is being phased out of the corporate environment, as I'm sure you're well aware.