Where do i start- I left school with alevels in 2000, (im now 25) I went to college for a few years to study , and started in my new job in July 2003, as Quality Controller...which im still in now, with the same company.

Back then i had the worst manager going, she would always patronise me, say horrible comments about how dispensable i was, how she didnt like my hair (!) How other people knew more than me, that my maths was appauling... Anyway, that carried on for about 2years until i put a complaint in about her in late 2005. My confidence was shattered. The complaint went to the directors and they ended up moving ME out of the office, and put me downstairs in the lab. I was in the lab on my own everyday for about 2 years, so i basically ran everything, on my own, as my old manager stepped away from Quality Control And moved more over to R&D side of things mostly with us not getting along, but also the fact that she always wanted to do more of that side of things.  A new Quality Manager was hired in October 2006, and she changed everything for the better, she was more understanding, she was helpful, she helped build up my confidence and my ability to do everything. Things were great. I had a desk upstairs as well as down in the lab....anyway...I became pregnant in July 2007. 3 months before i left for Maternity leave in Dec 2007 we hired someone else (R) to take over the job-not just on a maternity cover contract, but as a full time employee aswell -same age as me.

During the time that i was on Maternity Leave, R moved up into the office to help out with the Quality Managers tasks, doing more of the QA side of things, so they then hired a new person (T) in September 2008 - to do all the lab work downstairs... Sooo i returned to work a few months later in Jan 09. Despite being told before i came back, that i was to be moved upstairs and do more of the QA side of things and to move away from the lab work which i was more than grateful of...i came back to being seated back down in the lab. Doing all the mundane crap. Whilst the "new girl" R was left upstairs doing her QA work. Since then i found tables of department layouts, saying i was a QA assistant and she was QA and on the table layout she was above me. I raised this with our manager and she assured me it was an error and to not be worried about it. She was sorry if i was upset, and then she told me i can come and sit upstairs and that the work would be divided between me and R. Well it never was divided equally and R had/ has alot more work going on, alot more involvement, she'd been on trips with the company, various courses. Dont forget at the point of me coming back into work in the January 2009 she had only been with the company for 1 Year. I have been here for 6.5...I had raised my concers about 3 times, and my manager woud always say the work will be sorted dont worry-it never was.

A few months down the line and T applied for a new role within the company doing labelling work. Which he was accepted for. This meant that we now had no cover for the downswtairs job. Myself and Ria discussed it between the two of us and said we would probably have to take shifts or something like that and we agreed it was a job that we both hate doing as we feel like we really progressed whilst being upstairs in the offices.

They then advertised the lab job internally and externally. We interviewed people for 2 weeks. Our manager made the decision, but could not offer the candidate the job as the Managing Directors were in discussion about how the Quality Department should be run. We had to wait. It was decided 2 weeks later that we would not be taking on a new person and that the Quality Department would be re-jigged to cover that role instead. First thing that sprung to mind for me and R would be that if theyre not taking anyone else on for the lab role, we would both be expected to cover it, and agreed we would do split shifts on it ie 1 person one week, and the other the next - really really mundane, bored out of your mind work...

Anyway, we had the meeting with the MD a few days after hearing we wouldnt be taking anyone else on, and she basically told us that our manager wouldnt be our manager anymore, and that we were under someone else -He has been here for about 5 months, and he is not well liked by almost everybody. Instead of coming in and getting to know people and learn about how we operate, he has come in and been cocky and arrogant telling everybody what to do. Even other managers. So that was the first shocking bit of news, the next bit was that QA (the jobs we are currently doing) and QC (the job we used to do) would be split and we would no longer be involed in QA. They were to revise our job descriptions. Yesterday we had  a final meeting, and T is starting his new role as labelling, and they have put me back down in the lab doing all of the old mundane stuff, R is staying upstairs in the office doing all of the QC paperwork and has the responsibility of signing things off and getting final say so, although when i aked them if she was above me, they said no. I dont understand how when ive been doing that job for 6 years, and have tried to step away from it they keep pushing my head under the water. I have been distraught with all thats gone on throughout the time ive been here and for the past year coming back, feeling inadequate and R has come in and took over, been on various courses, and trips, and gets selected for everything..the maangement love her and encourage her to be pushed up. Its not equal treatment and my morale is at an all time low. Because of all of this i have had constant anxiety, lack of sleep, severe panic attacks to which ive been in hospital twice now, more recently i have been getting terrible stomach cramps (IBS) and havent been eating properly, and have been diagnosed with depression. Its gotten to the point now where i do not want to get out of bedin the morning, not through laziness but for sheer dislike of the job situation - i shouldnt have to feel like this going into work everyday. The problem now is, is that after the meeting, and me telling them how much i dont think its fair and why whe ive bene here for so long has someone who i trained up to do the job suddenyl overtaken me and been supported to do so, whilst im being pushed down constantly...they told me its business needs...and that the job will be much betetr this time around - erm no it wont. They were drastically trying to sell me the old job by majorly sugar coating everything. Anyway they are wnting the "new" roles to be effective as of 1st nov. So they are pushing for me to sig the job description...and i dont want to at all. Not when i know im goign to feel even worse than i already do coming into work everday and will only add to my anxiety and stress.

Do i legally HAVE to sign my new job description? What is most likely to happen if i dont?

Glow X

Hi Glow
My heart goes out to you. I think what has happened to you is really unfair and it has caused you a lot of anguish.

I know this may be cold comfort but I would advise trying not to make it a personal issue - not for their sake but for your own peace of mind. I don't think this is a personal reflection on your abilities, rather a company trying to run their business in the most efficient, economical way posible in tough times (I know you don't want to think this way because you are hurt and upset and it is difficult for you to see it any other way). Staff will always be re-deployed according to the needs of the company, your company just haven't handled it very well.

They are keeping Ria where she is for the sake of continuity and because you ran the lab by yourself for 2 years and showed yourself to be competent in doing so they have decided that you are the best person for that job (You are a safe pair of hands - they probably consider it a vote of confidence in you!). They just haven't really stopped to consider how people might feel about this, or they have and decided that 'Business Needs' come first. I'm afraid that's the reality for everyone in work these days, even for managers. Managing Directors will always do what they think is best for their company, staff concerns are not top of their list and they won't run the business according to what the staff want or feel is fair. You know this.

I agree that it is terribly unfair to you and doesn't take into account any personal progression plans you may have had, but those opportunities may still be available in the future. Please try not to see it as a form of personal punishment. I understand your frustration because your career expectations have been thwarted. You feel you have no control and this is disconcerting.

Is there someone you can have a frank discussion with about your personal development plans (Do you have staff appraisals where you can bring up these issues?). Have you ever discussed the 'split shift' idea with anyone other than Ria? Would you consider having a discussion with someone about the new role they want you to take on, clarify where you stand and the future prospects of that role? Are you really 100% certain that the job won't be any better this time round? If they are promising improvements in the role, could you find out what they are?

If Companies and MDs only listen to those ideas that benefit the future of the company, could you show them that having 2 people up and running on the QA job would be good for the company incase Ria decides to leave. Do they know that you would be prepared to take on further training and courses and more involvement just as Ria has done. They may think that you would not consider this because you have a new baby.

I hope you can resolve the dilema you feel, but trying to think about it differently may be a step in the right direction. I can't tell you about the legalities of the situation, but I feel you may have an opportunity to negotiate your new job description with them. After investing nearly 7 years in you, I think they will listen. And if they don't maybe it's time to move on? Only you will know this.

I wish you all the very best, you deserve better, chin up and good luck!
Toonks

Toonskey, thankyou so much for reading my epic post!

Thankyou for your balanced response, thats the hard part - i can see both sides of the argument. I see why they are doing it for their business needs as its not just me who's had to take a step back i suppose, its across most departments....and thats why my mindset keeps bouncing from one to the other . One minute im thinking well yeah i am the best person for the job....the next mintue im thinking theyre pushing me down. The problem is im going to be seriously unhappy doing the jobs they have proposed. I have been signed off twice before with stress when the bullying was going on with my old line manager, around 5 years ago now...and havent been since but i can feel the pressure and unhappiness building, in turn this gives me chest pains, anxiety, IBS, low self esteem and confidence...and it will only get worse. Ive been that irrational at times i thought id end up in the hospital.

I guess my options are, i can either:-

a) Try and negotiate, that we could swap on a 6 monthly basis, putting across the fact that it would be more fair,  and we could also be cross trained for the jobs that eachother is doing so that if either of us are off,they get the benefit of both of us knowing what to do instead of things being left stood still.

b) I can sign the contract no questions asked, and "get on with it" and be unhappy.

c) Refuse to sign the contract and see what happens.

d) Sign the contract and leave as soon as i get another job.

Obviously the negotiation would be the best and more sensible approach. If both parties can win then its happy days...the only problem in this is, if they dont wish to do that, im going to feel even more like crap, and will want to back out of even signing the contract at all. And that could cause me further problems! Its a hard situation. They want the contract signed by the end of the week  and i have managed to dodge my line manager both yesterday and today (so far)....And they want the jobs to start as soon as Monday 2nd Nov. Im waiting on a call from my dad as i need to ask him (from a managerial perspective) what will happen if i dont sign the contract-Hopefully i can dodge the management for the rest of the day until tomorrow so i can get a chance to speak with my dad and weigh up what to do next.

i really appreciate your response, especially with it being such a long and detailed post! I'll let you know how it goes!

Glow X

Hi Glow
I'm really pleased that you are starting to weigh up your options, its a good way of regaining a sense of control which in turn will lessen the anxiety and stress. Talking to trusted family members and friends is also a good move, get some feedback on what they would do in your situation. Although be aware that it may also have the potential to confuse you further. Maybe think of it in terms of "if this was happening to a friend of mine, what advice would I give them?"

You could always try asking for an extension on the sign-off date.

I think option A is still a good way to go - it could really work. If your 'job share' work colleague is willing to accompany you to any of the negotiations that would be a stronger position still. And if it doesn't work (or they don't want further discussion) then have pride in the knowledge that you did the best for yourself and gave it your best shot. Remember Job descriptions can be renegotiated at anytime in the future.

Option C will make you seem belligerent and difficult and may not do you any favours in the long term.

You may have to bite the bullet and just sign, try not to feel defeated - see it as your signature buying you time to think about your next move. Whether that is working towards renegotiating your job description at some time in the future, keeping your eye out for internal vacancies or applying for jobs elsewhere.

I can understand that you are feeling trapped/defeated and like crap. However if you are feeling like crap now, imagine how much more depressed you'd feel sat at home without work/earnings of any kind.

Just remember that often when one door closes, another opens elsewhere. One that you weren't expecting at all and never even thought of. (very Buddhist!)

Often we feel unhappy about things because we attribute certain meanings to them - change the meanings and the emotion will change. Please let me know how you get on and I wish you all the best.
Toonks