Balancing Two Roles in One Company: Is It Fair for One Person to Juggle Different Designations?

Hi friends,

Is it appropriate for one person to work under two different designations in the same company irrespective of the department?

Now, this particular person in our company is handling responsibilities in two different departments, i.e., Assistant to the Chairman of the company and Commercial Officer.

Please provide your view on this subject.

Warm Regards,

Fay

Well, I don't agree with you, and hence I have raised this query. If the person is capable, fine, but what about the others who are equally smart enough? Don't you think they should be given a chance?

Regards,
Fay

Hi,

In my view, if the person is competent to perform both tasks, then it should not be a problem with the designations.

This means, are there companies that have these types of designations? Can you guys give me some examples?

Hello,

Interesting question!

Of course, companies can do what they like. But that is NOT the question. Should the company decide to assign more than one function to the same individual? The answer will now depend upon the following factors:

1. Are the two functions aligned in the sense that there is a possibility of conflict of functional interests?
2. Are the two functions placed at different levels in the organizational hierarchy where the authority structures could upset the performance of either of them or even of the other related functions?
3. Is the individual in possession of necessary knowledge, skills, experience, and professional maturity?
4. What is so very important that the organization needs to ask the same individual to perform two dissimilar functions and be accountable for both?

In the example in your post, it is WRONG to ask the Executive Assistant to the Chairman to also be responsible for the commercial function as the proximity to the highest authority of the organization could send out "different" signals to other members of the organization and ultimately confuse the total performance. I am NOT saying that this shall happen. I am rather saying that there is a great possibility of this happening even if the incumbent does not misuse his peculiar position, and believe me, if he does, the organization will soon be sorry for this unusual decision of asking him to hold two functions.

But to analyze your proposition, a sound rationale supporting such a decision may change the response as different facts could even justify such a decision. But by and large, I recommend avoiding this kind of a situation in any organization.

Even when one grows out of the job of "Executive Assistant to Chairman" and handles an exclusive portfolio, he often finds others treating him "differently". This could complicate his performance too!

Your views please.

Regards,
Samvedan
June 26, 2008

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Hi friends,

Is it appropriate for one person to work under two different designations in the same company irrespective of the department?

Now this particular person in our company is handling responsibilities in two different departments, i.e., Executive Assistant to the Chairman of the company & Commercial Officer. Please provide your view on this subject.

Warm Regards,
Fay

Hi,

I agree with Sujata and Shiv; it all depends upon the capability of the employee and other related factors. I presume the designation shouldn't matter at all unless the organization is benefiting. What is important is the learning and growth of both the organization and the individual.

I think there are a couple of things you need to answer and consider:

1) Are both of these designations mentioned in the offer letter of the person?

2) Since how long has this person been working in these roles?

There is a high possibility that this is a temporary arrangement made by the organization. In some companies, the HR Manager is also asked to take on the responsibilities of Administration or Facility Management; in other small companies, the CFO or Finance Head is asked to take care of the HR Department as well. Some companies appoint the same person as Chairman and Managing Director. I think what matters is the size of the company and its financial status. Do not stress about it.

Have a great weekend.

Thanks and Regards,
Sanjeev

This kind of ARRANGEMENTS is more likely to be seen in small companies where a person is not fully occupied in their core job, hence tends to job enlargement. But at the same time, if the same person is asked to play two different roles, then the need to identify if there is any nepotism going on, if the person is being paid double for two jobs, or any other organizational issues. Private organizations have the flexibility to make such decisions. I do not see any legal consequences of such actions as long as the employee is happily doing both jobs.

Hi,

He can be assigned with n number of responsibilities, but then dual designations should not exist. This problem basically occurs in an unorganized organization where the Head himself doesn't know where he wants to take his company and what the key perspectives are in employing professionals for the same.

Sanjeev.

Fay,

As most of our HR peers have mentioned, it happens in small organizations to save some costs as well as engage an individual to the fullest. As long as the employee is happy doing the job and management is fine with the productivity, it can continue. In bigger organizations, it can happen until someone is replaced.

Cheers,
Pradeep

Hi Fay,

Being in HR, a person needs to think according to the company's benefits. There is a good way to reduce the cost of the company by leveraging employee capabilities. An experienced individual in their required field can handle situations effectively.

Regards,
Kalyani

Hi,

It is fine that the person is capable enough to handle both responsibilities. However, he cannot hold two designations officially at one time. He can be either the Assistant to the chairman or the Commercial Officer, handling the second responsibility.

Neesu Sharma

In regards to your query, an employee cannot be given two different designations; however, he can perform two different roles. How efficient and capable the person is depends. In my wife's organization, it was the same scenario. She was appointed as an EA to MD; however, she was performing a role of Sales Coordinator as well as handling resignee deck. But her designation was of an EA. The functional line of reporting was to the MD; hence, there were no issues.

My point to you is that a person can multitask, and organizations look out for people with these qualities. But dual designation is not a good concept to be followed.

Hi All,

This usually happens in smaller organizations but is not the right thing to do. As a successful organization, we need to nurture careers and not just focus on the work being done. In this case, the individual in question is engaged in two different types of work. We are neither advancing his career nor fostering an environment free of conflicts. There may be conflicts of interest, disagreements on supervisory directives, and so on.

Most importantly, when this individual realizes he is being 'used', he may choose to resign, and as a result, the company will suddenly have a reduced workforce by '2' people.

Regards,
Bindu

Hi Fay,

I think one person may handle many responsibilities but not two designations because he cannot do justice to both.

Regards,
Sadhana

Nothing wrong! Most of us do that as well. This shows that the person is capable of handling multiple tasks. Good for him, good for the company. :icon1:

There are no rules to prevent such an arrangement. It depends entirely upon the organization as well as the individual's capacity.

Hi Fay,

I think it should not be this way... in a way, it will not give role clarity to the person, and he will have problems in his appraisals as well if the ratings of both managers are at the extremes.

Regards,
Tejashri

Hello Fay,

I am a new buddy on this site. In response to your question, I believe that ethically, a person should not work in two designations simultaneously. However, as Sujata mentioned, it may depend on the specific designation. For instance, an executive assistant can likely manage additional responsibilities. Conversely, it may not be feasible for someone working as a recruitment executive to hold another designation.

Cheers,
Sahdev Bhatt
HR Executive

Dear all, thank you for the reply.

I have come to a conclusion that such situations can exist, depending upon the type of company and capabilities of the individual.

Regards,
Fay

Hi,

I don't see a problem with that unless the two positions are in conflict with one another. This should be initially noticed when the two positions are combined. I hold two designations, and these are combined in my job title. The first half of the week, I do one job, and the other half of the week, I do the other - no problems there. Since the company realized I could handle both of these jobs alone and quite efficiently, they gave it to me - 5 years now. Hope that gives you an example. Cheers, HIRSI

Holding two designations by a single person happens not only in private companies but also in government organizations, when one incumbent is given additional charge of another post. However, the caretaker incumbent cannot claim remuneration for both posts.

It depends on what negotiation he had with his current boss/management. He must have asked for a position change to the other department, and he would be handling dual roles to get trained while he is transferring the other roles to a new person. Perceptions are a smoke filter. Confirm once again what's happening. You can take this in your grapevine talk with your colleagues and understand what's happening to this person and if the above statement is true.

Hi,

A dual role may lead to overlapping reporting relationships. It is possible to have a communication gap with this type of organization. This phenomenon can be witnessed frequently in mid-sized companies and small firms run by family-owned individuals. Building a factor of trust among employees depends on the person who is performing the dual role. Companies should have a well-defined career path; otherwise, it may create a culture of favoritism within the organization. Other employees must also have the opportunity to learn new skills.

Regards,
Fazel

Hi All,

The question suits me perfectly. I am working in an MNC. I am responsible for four departments:
1. Financial Accountant
2. Warehouse Logistics - Dealing with five Warehouses
3. Sales Coordinator
4. IT Manager

My perception is that if people are capable of handling multiple tasks, then we should encourage them. Nowadays, companies prefer to recruit such multitask personalities. I consider myself a Jack of All Trades and King of a few. It is my view.

Thanks,
Ashok

Hi Fay!

I was just reviewing the site for this same concern. It seems you haven't received any response for this. Has your query been answered? If yes, could you help me?

Thanks,
Archana.