Redundancy warning as 'massive risk' behind controversial pay request exposed
Australian workers are being urged to tread carefully if they're asking to be paid more because they've had to take on extra responsibilities. Redundancies are happening left, right, and centre across the country as many companies try to weather tough economic conditions.
In the 12 months to February, 233,800 workers were retrenched, and those employment gaps can cause remaining staff to be saddled with more work. But recruitment expert Tammie Christofis Ballis told Yahoo Finance you should weigh up your options if you want to be compensated for this additional workload.
"In today's world, where you're treated more as a number than a person in corporate Australia, it's a massive risk," she said.
"Your manager could think you're going to become a problem because you're not going to do your work, then maybe they might make your role redundant too."
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Popular Canadian TikToker Laura Whaley posted a video roleplaying the scenario described above.
She acted as both worker and manager in the viral clip. The employee expressed that her job title and compensation should be amended if she's required to do more work in the wake of several redundancies.
"I'm not interested in being a long-term solution for the company being understaffed," she said, noting that a title change can help improve her CV and confirm to other employers her additional responsibilities.
It sparked a big debate in the comments section, with some siding with the worker, and others saying you could be pushing your luck.
Do you have a story? Email stew.perrie@yahooinc.com
"I wish I had the knowledge/confidence to have done this in previous jobs. I took on the extra responsibilities thinking it would help me with promotions in the long run… It did not," said one worker.
"Tried this conversation with my bosses, and their response was to make a daily check-in meeting to micromanage me," added another.
A third wrote that this would be a "great way to get added to the next round of layoffs". Another cautioned young people from following this route.
What should you do if you're given more work on the same pay?
Ballis told Yahoo Finance it will be different for every worker and every business, so it's hard to give a clear path forward.
