Feeling Overwhelmed at Work: Can I Talk to My Boss About Renegotiating My Role?

Hi,

I am with an investment bank in the recruitment section. I have joined very recently. Initially, they told me the profile involves maintaining MIS and scheduling interviews. However, now I'm doing everything, right from sourcing CVs to creating employee IDs for new joiners. The worst part is the money is the same; it's just not worth the workload. Getting double the work done at half the price. What do I do? Can I renegotiate with the seniors? Please advise.

Ha ha ha... Buzz Lightyear... we are all in the same boat.

If you had been given a written Job Description (JD) and Key Result Areas (KRA), and if you are doing more than what was agreed, surely you can have a chat with your boss about an increment. But if you were taken into the HR Department with no clearly defined role, you are expected to do all that you have mentioned.

My suggestion: First become indispensable in your department and then request a good increment based on your performance.

All the best,
Ukmitra

Could you please provide more advice? Seniors, please advise. The money is not justified compared to the workload.

From what I see, you have two options.

1. Negotiate for an increase in salary (or reduce the workload) - Talk to your manager, stating that your job description and the work you agreed to for the salary being paid do not match the actual work you are doing. Given the higher responsibilities, you would appreciate if the pay package is renegotiated. If you are doing this, make sure you mention that you are not against taking on more responsibilities (you appreciate it as a matter of fact), but you would also like to be fairly compensated for the job you are doing.

2. Look for another job that is more in tune with your abilities, work style, working hours requirement, and pay package, and quit your current job.

The third option (doesn't look like you really want to take it) is to just accept the pay package you currently have, accept that the change in job description and workload are a reality of work life, and move on with your job.

All the best.

Regards,
-Som G

Hi, I'm with an investment bank in the recruitment section.

Congratulations on the job!

I have joined very recently.

So, are you still in the process of learning the organization and the profile?

Initially, they told me the profile involves maintaining MIS and scheduling interviews.

Who is it that has informed you about this profile?

However, now I'm doing everything, right from sourcing CVs to creating employee IDs for new joiners.

What do you mean by doing everything? The entire job, as mentioned by you, falls under recruitment. It is the job of the recruiter. Please understand that.

And the worst part is, the pay is the same, just not worth the workload.

I do not understand how you can say that, not understanding the quantum of learning you can take along with you. You interact with at least 10 new people in a day; even if we take one lesson from each, that's 10 lessons a day, which will add value to you as a professional.

Getting double the work done at half the price. What should I do? Can I renegotiate with the seniors? Please advise.

On what basis have you decided that double the job equals half the price? Sit, analyze, understand, and realize your job profile.

Long way to go...

Mr. Sardar,

I'd like to add that this is basically a replacement hiring. The girl who was working before... I met her very recently, and she told me the same thing... First, the recruiters told me about MIS, but this is like everything. She left this job in 2 months. In fact, there is this recruitment drive coming up in January... Lots to learn... I agree... but... I will have to slog like anything this month... but receive peanuts at the end. Now, my boss told me all 3 of us should have an equal amount of work... but look at the drastic difference in pay?

I'm an MBA from a top college... Please advise

Well, I am not that senior, but I can advise you the following.

When you enter the HR world, you start with recruitment. Make up your mind to slog, as at this stage, you have to do everything which will sharpen your skills.

At this early stage, you shouldn't be thinking much about money, rather the profile you're into. I say you are lucky enough to do so much alone, as many don't have the chance to learn and don't grow. Just think about the bright future ahead. It seems your boss is trusting you; don't break it. Believe me, it's my own experience. At that time, I was even thinking the same, and now thinking if I would have had a little more control over myself and not stressed out at that time as you are feeling now, I might be in a better position now. So please do not be in a hurry and make a mistake.

By the way, you have addressed the issue in words; it is understood about your importance towards and hunger towards money.

Being an MBA from a top college has nothing to do.

If you are proud of being from a top college, why did you join a consultancy as a recruiter?

Why did you not get placements anywhere?

Be on the ground, just started your career.

Also, this is a professional forum. Present your words in English as you are asking a query and not sending SMS to anyone.

Well said, Mr. Mohammad Sardhar. In fact, I also get frustrated by this kind of communication skills of the so-called gen-next. Can't blame them; after spending most of the day chatting and texting, we can't expect polished communication from them.

Dear buzz.light.year, as one of the members pointed out, think about the exposure and experience you are gaining as a fresher, unlike some so-called reputed MBAs who are only gaining experience in stapling printed resumes! First, realize and understand the opportunities at hand, then compare with others. All the best.

Dear Buzz Lightyear,

You must be an MBA graduate from a reputed college, but you still don't have the ethics to write your name so that the members can at least know the name of the person they are replying to and not just the ID.

I agree with Mr. Peer Mohamed and other team members. If you have joined the recruitment section, then everything is included in it, whether informed or not. If you are doing something completely outside the referred section, then only you can talk to your seniors.

I would suggest that you better take whatever experience you are getting; it will help you in anything and anywhere in your life, which you may not be able to realize now. As the movie "3 Idiots" says, "excellence hai... to success jhak mar ke tumhare pass ayegi."

Chitra

I guess you HAVE to talk to them and discuss reconsidering the salary. Nowadays, everywhere you will have to demand! It's like "The baby that cries gets food."

I think what you must be receiving as a salary for maintaining MIS and scheduling interviews must be a very low figure. Put it in a very diplomatic way across to them that - since you are able to learn and contribute more, it would be even more motivating if you could negotiate a salary increase along with it.

It's all in the way you ask... but I am sure that you must ask! Easier said than done... :-)

Kaamyaab bano yaar, kaamyaabi... - from the film "Three Idiots." I think you better watch that movie with an open heart and mind.

Your present condition is, if I may say, due to stress caused by confusion because of the amount of work. As one of the members advised, please learn, learn, learn...

Maybe I am two years senior to you... found myself in a similar situation but labored so hard at times from 7 am to 1 pm in the office! Now, I am in a better position in all respects ;)

Be positive... God bless you... (Please respect and follow seniors like Peer saab... opinions and pieces of advice; they are the human guides)

I just came across this posting now. Really unprofessional way of typing out a message. If you are an MBA from a reputed college, your way of presenting and dealing must show it. One should not say who and what they are to claim respect. It should come in the way you handle and talk to people. So, as a first step towards your improvement, kindly stop using SMS language. It's irritating.

Ask to provide you support staff. Time management and setting your own goals and deadlines will help you manage the current pressures. Just take it out of your mind that you are the only one. Each one of us (HR Professionals) has gone through the same phase. Manage your work - Trust that you can deliver results even with too many tasks at hand. Take care.

Dear buzz.lightyear.nova,

As pointed out by Asha, even I think you must ask! There is nothing wrong in it. But... look at what reactions some members here had. Some have judged you as hungry for money, unprofessional, etc., just by a post. Think of the possibilities your boss's reaction might have.

Hence, it's very important that you must present yourself as an able and cordial worker who is unhappy regarding compensation; not as a desperate and impatient fresher (as it sounds in this post). I hope you got my point. All the best to you.

Regards,
Shikha

Hi Mr. Nova,

If you have an MBA in HR, you are not supposed to work only in MIS. There is a lot to do in recruitment in which you got involved by mistake (so-called work burden). It's a great opportunity to learn. Don't tell your seniors that you are overloaded.

Since you are doing a lot, and you are eligible to do that (as you mentioned you have an MBA), you can ask for an increment. Kindly consider the duration you have devoted to the organization (joining period). You mentioned that you recently joined. I would suggest you wait to complete the probation period. By that time, you will be equipped with practical knowledge, which will help you move one or two steps ahead.

Regards,
Nishu

Dear Buzz,

I would advise the following:

1. First, forget that you are from a very reputed MBA school. Once you are in the job, start as per your experience. The degree will give you an opportunity but will not give you experience, so do not crib.

2. You have joined a firm as per a contract, and if you feel it is not as per your expectation, you should quit instead of trying to blame the organization.

3. Please give time to your career. If you are in HR, do not expect accelerated super-fast career growth.

Regards,
SC

Dear Rashmi,

If that person is you yourself, certainly you can reach great heights. It all depends on how professional you are. You should be street smart. You should have known the details of the job you are doing, and consistently you should do the work that matters or makes a difference. Merely because your MBA is a DLP, don't succumb to routine work. Work with zeal, confidence, and a complete understanding of the task. All the best.

Dear buzz.lightyear.nova,

You are in recruitment! Just sit back once and try to figure out how many applicants you can have in HR fresher level and at what salary to be happy to take your job. It's not about YOU; it's all about demand and supply of talent. I suggest just for once look at yourself as a prolife and consider what other options your boss may have to do the same job if you were to reapply.

Think and think again; your ability to think is your identity, not your MBA degree.