Pay Rise Request & Possibly "Work To Rule?"

[Railwayman]

Hi,

I'm due to sit in a meeting with the management next week after I submitted a request for a pay rise and an amendment to my job description and I'm wondering if anyone can offer advice if I give you the general background?

Primarily, year on year I have been given extra duties to undertake that basically aren't included/covered in my original Contract/Job Description that I initially signed at the beginning of my employment over 10 years ago. Additionally, I haven't been offered a pay rise in over 8 years as the company cited economical uncertainty.....although, I know significant extra revenue has been created, as I'm the one whose creating this extra revenue.

Therefore, I'm going to ask for a rise and amendment to my contract to include these additional roles and responsibilities. My manager in their written response to my first request, actually asked me "how I thought my role had changed?" Now, I don't want to be seen as obtuse with the manager...but, it's surely self evident that my roles had changed over the years as they were the one (the manager) to initiate these extra roles and duties.


My final query is.....by accepted these extra roles and duties over the years without too much discussion or argument, have I entered some legally binding agreement/arrangement that I'm unaware of? I was thinking of going on a self imposed "work to rule" and only undertaking the work that is outlined in my contract...is this a feasible and legal option to do - if the management won't budge or be reasonable with my request?


Can anyone offer advice please?

[Tools]

Re: Pay Rise Request & Possibly "Work To Rule?"

Hi Railwayman and welcome to Legalbeagles.

The important thing to remember is that, within your contract, there may be the wording "and any additional duties as reasonably requested from time to time" or a similar sentence.

As you mention in your post, by accepting these extra duties they have now become an "implied term" of your contract and therefore part of your role so I think that your idea of working to rule may be foolhardy.

Your best approach is to be clear, concise and factual putting forward your case for an increase in pay and/or additional benefits. You basically need to sell the idea that as you have brought additional income to the business and proven your worth, you would like to see that recognised in your salary. If you are already seeking alternative employment (and be very careful with this approach) make them aware that if you do not receive an increase you may have to start looking elsewhere for employment as due to an increase in living costs/inflation you can no longer afford to work there, let them know that you do not wish this to happen but you have to put your family first etc.

Again, you know the company better than me so you will know how to play it, think very carefully before going in guns blazing as it may backfire on you.