Managers demand employee take on second job for $2 extra an hour, claim she'll be fired if she refuses: 'Do I have a leg to stand on?'

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Ally Perry • Writer and Editor
Feb 11, 2026 9:00 AM EST

There is nothing that most companies love more than a cost-cutting exercise.

After all, the whole increasing profit strategy is difficult to get right, requiring real brainpower to make it work. As if that wasn't enough, it is also subject to the fickle forces of the market. It is much simpler and more predictable to look at the existing budget and see what can be squeezed for a few extra pennies, and if that affects employee satisfaction, then that is just a darn shame.

A decrease in spending money does not always have to be done in a way that has a large negative impact on those who work for the company. That being said, it usually means that someone, somewhere, is going to suffer for it, and most upper management would rather put that burden on their employees rather than themselves. Most of the time, it is the logic behind every bonus that seems to magically disappear, and every round of layoffs that those above a certain level appear to be magically immune to. As well as this, it usually means more work for those workers who stick it out. It is one of the more stressful times in an individual's career.

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  • A man sat between two women on a couch, all wearing business attire with laptops on the table in front of them. The man is holding a piece of paper and pointing to it
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  • An administrative assistant recently took a meeting that broke some unwelcome news after her colleague announced that he was going to leave the company. The team leader and general manager informed her that, along with her usual duties, she would be expected to take on his role of order filling for an extra $2 an hour.

    As if that wasn't bad enough, management also told her that she had a week to accept these terms, otherwise she would be fired. With seemingly no HR involvement in this decision, she wanted to know if there was any way she could protest it.

  • Told to accept new position or be fired. I have until Monday to decide.

    I was pulled into a meeting today myself, the gm, and a team lead. I was told since a coworker is leaving I have to now do his position (inventory/shipping/ordering/pulling orders) and my current position (administrative assistant) I've been offered 2$ more an hour for literally another whole job description on top of my current one.
    via Inside-Answer4608
  • I have until Monday to accept it or be fired. Also to be noted HR was not involved.
    via Inside-Answer4608
  • a male professional leans over two female professionals sitting on a couch, holding papers and discussing something
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    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • I have not reached out to them as I fear retaliation. I've not received a copy of anything no job description, no job title.
    via Inside-Answer4608
  • Do I have a leg to stand on if I don't accept? Any advice would be appreciated.
    via Inside-Answer4608
  • a male professional sits between two female professionals on a couch with laptops in front of them, holding papers and discussing something
    via Vitaly Gariev

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • EconomicsWorking6508 Tell them it sounds like a good challenge and you'd like them to provide an updated job description for your new combined role. Say you're wondering which administrative activities you should plan to de-prioritize. Act excited.
    via EconomicsWorking6508
  • recruitzpeeps Sounds like your company is tightening their belt and instead of doing layoffs, they're managing by attrition. No, you have no leg to stand on. HR can't help you here, HR works for the same leaders you do, they're just doing the administration of the decisions leadership makes. Leadership decided not to backfill your co-worker's position and instead add duties to your job. This is a take it or leave it situation.
    via recruitzpeeps
  • sfstains You take it and then start looking for another job.
    via sfstains
  • Expert_Equivalent 100 You could try to negotiate pay, but you need to really consider what you'll do if they say no (don't threaten to leave/quit if you're not actually prepared to walk out). And know that you quitting is cheaper for them. There really isn't anything to report to HR here. And you say you fear retaliation, but nothing you've described here would make retaliation illegal. They don't have to give you a job description or a new title, though ideally obviously they would. I'm sorry y
    via Expert_Equivalent100
  • AgeBeneficial Take the job and start applying
    via AgeBeneficial
  • True_Turn_5286 Take the job. Learn new skills. Learn to prioritize. In a few months if you are overwhelmed, go to your boss and go over stuff that does not need doing or you streamlined. Update your resume.
    via True_Turn_5286
  • milkshakemountebank No, you have no leverage and no legal to stand on. You mentioned "retaliation" fear-- retaliation is only prohibited in rge workplace if it is in response to making a legally protected complaint (of illegal discrimination, safety reg violations, and the like). Unless you left out the salient points (like making a legally protected complaint) any retaliation here would be perfectly legal. This is a take it or leave it situation, as they've told you quite clearly. HR does not m
    via milkshakemountebank
  • Tess47 I suggest you take it. You really dont know much about the job. There is a chance that you may like it and excel at it. Then get promotions and more money. Life is an adventure. Give it a shot with a positive attitude. Life can be good. It might surprise you. It might also be awful but at least you will know for sure. Don't underestimate yourself.
    via Tess47
  • Kmelloww No real leg to stand on. Be thankful that they offered you a raise for it. Many places wouldn't. You either accept or quit. That's really the only options.
    via Kmelloww
  • Fendabenda38 Not HR. Working for a small manufacturing facility I've learned that you really can only do, what you can do. I have simultaneously filled multiple roles in IT for years now, and whenever anyone starts to complain about slow response times, I can easily point them to my workload. If I were in your situation I'd accept the new position, and as another commenter suggested, ask them what roles from your existing position should be deprioritized. If your supervisors don't back you up wh
    via Fendabenda38

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