Redundancy warning as 'massive risk' behind controversial pay request exposed

Yahoo

4 days ago

Australian workers are being urged to tread carefully if they're asking to be paid more because they've had to take on extra responsibilities. Redundancies are happening left, right, and centre across the country as many companies try to weather tough economic conditions.
In the 12 months to February, 233,800 workers were retrenched, and those employment gaps can cause remaining staff to be saddled with more work. But recruitment expert Tammie Christofis Ballis told Yahoo Finance you should weigh up your options if you want to be compensated for this additional workload.
"In today's world, where you're treated more as a number than a person in corporate Australia, it's a massive risk," she said.
"Your manager could think you're going to become a problem because you're not going to do your work, then maybe they might make your role redundant too."
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Popular Canadian TikToker Laura Whaley posted a video roleplaying the scenario described above.
She acted as both worker and manager in the viral clip. The employee expressed that her job title and compensation should be amended if she's required to do more work in the wake of several redundancies.
"I'm not interested in being a long-term solution for the company being understaffed," she said, noting that a title change can help improve her CV and confirm to other employers her additional responsibilities.
It sparked a big debate in the comments section, with some siding with the worker, and others saying you could be pushing your luck."I wish I had the knowledge/confidence to have done this in previous jobs. I took on the extra responsibilities thinking it would help me with promotions in the long run… It did not," said one worker.
"Tried this conversation with my bosses, and their response was to make a daily check-in meeting to micromanage me," added another.
A third wrote that this would be a "great way to get added to the next round of layoffs". Another cautioned young people from following this route.
Ballis told Yahoo Finance it will be different for every worker and every business, so it's hard to give a clear path forward.
However, she highlighted that some work contracts might have a clause that states you might have to take on extra work when required. Unfortunately, your hands might be tied if that's the case.
"A lot of job descriptions are very vague and they do that on purpose," she said.
"They do that to cover themselves when situations like this happen."
Ballis echoed what others said about risking your own employment if you asked for more pay, but she didn't completely discount it and said it was perfectly reasonable in the right circumstances.
She told Yahoo Finance you shouldn't demand a title change or additional compensation in the same meeting where you're told you'll be taking on more work.
"Organise a proper meeting with your boss to discuss it," she said.
"But be prepared. This is where people get it wrong. They just ask for a pay rise with no backup. You need to outline the responsibilities you're taking on and explain why you're asking for this compensation."
She said you could even have a chat with your manager and the wider team to address what you can and can't do and whether others could pick up the slack. Some co-workers might have more free time to tackle certain tasks and it could lighten the load if it's communicated properly.
A redundancy is different to getting fired.
If you're let go, it could be because of your performance, behaviour, conduct or another factor.
However, if you're made redundant, it means the business does not require that position to be worked by anyone.
People2people recruitment revealed in February the retrenchment rate was at 1.7 per cent in the previous 12 months.
The second half of 2022 saw that rate hover around 1 per cent, and while it might have increased since then, it's still below the 2 per cent average recorded between 2010 to 2019.
However, anxiety over being made redundant is on the rise.
More than two-thirds (68 per cent) of workers are concerned that redundancies will occur at their company in 2025, according to Robert Half.
A whopping 92 per cent are already taking steps to increase their employability if they do need to find a new role.
Interestingly, more than a third (39 per cent) are prioritising firming up their job security rather than their pay in 2025, compared to 21 per cent who believe pay is more important.Sign in to access your portfolio