Change in duties - after HR assured me my job wouldn’t change

[Anonymous]

I went on admin leave after a coworker did something to me. I assured HR that I was fine and didn’t need admin leave, and they assured me that my same job would be there when I got back.

My admin leave turned out to be good for me. I had flashbacks to the event, was diagnosed with PTSD, and did some therapy.

Now I’m going back, but my boss says I’ll be doing a different job - someone else’s projects instead of my own.

Since HR assured me that I’d be going back to the same job, do I have any grounds to push back against the change in duties?

[Anonymous]

Are the projects the same type? Perhaps one coworker took yours, and these are the ones that fell through while you were out. Perhaps this also is a way to keep you away from the coworker that did something to you?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are the projects the same type? Perhaps one coworker took yours, and these are the ones that fell through while you were out. Perhaps this also is a way to keep you away from the coworker that did something to you?

The coworker who did something to me has been fired. It’s a lower-level of work they’re having me do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are the projects the same type? Perhaps one coworker took yours, and these are the ones that fell through while you were out. Perhaps this also is a way to keep you away from the coworker that did something to you?

The coworker who did something to me has been fired. It’s a lower-level of work they’re having me do.

Different job title and pay, or same title and same pay?

If the former: it's a problem if it's less money.

If the latter: then they've just given you different projects but the title and pay are the same, and that's all that matters.

Did you really expect time would stand still and your workload would just wait until you returned?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are the projects the same type? Perhaps one coworker took yours, and these are the ones that fell through while you were out. Perhaps this also is a way to keep you away from the coworker that did something to you?

The coworker who did something to me has been fired. It’s a lower-level of work they’re having me do.

Different job title and pay, or same title and same pay?

If the former: it's a problem if it's less money.

If the latter: then they've just given you different projects but the title and pay are the same, and that's all that matters.

Did you really expect time would stand still and your workload would just wait until you returned?

Yes. I did expect that.

I hate my life. First I get sexually harassed, then they take my good projects away and give me the worst slime in the department.

[Anonymous]

OP, did they give you anything in writing before you went out on leave?

I'd take what is offered and immediately begin looking elsewhere. Easier to find a job when you have one.

[Anonymous]

Have you posted about this before, OP?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are the projects the same type? Perhaps one coworker took yours, and these are the ones that fell through while you were out. Perhaps this also is a way to keep you away from the coworker that did something to you?

The coworker who did something to me has been fired. It’s a lower-level of work they’re having me do.

Different job title and pay, or same title and same pay?

If the former: it's a problem if it's less money.

If the latter: then they've just given you different projects but the title and pay are the same, and that's all that matters.

Did you really expect time would stand still and your workload would just wait until you returned?

Yes. I did expect that.

I hate my life. First I get sexually harassed, then they take my good projects away and give me the worst slime in the department.

So, same title and same pay...just different projects?

Then you don't have a case.

Nonetheless, you can always lawyer up and threaten a lawsuit. They will likely settle...but it won't be as much money as you think.

Sadly, they probably fired the person you said harrassed you, but that person might have been a rainmaker or more valuable than you are. I doubt they are punishing you. They probably just needed to get the work done, and whoever took over your portfolio is doing a good job.

You might want to look for a new job if you are unhappy.

[Anonymous]

What makes the new projects of a coworker’s less desirable than your old projects?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What makes the new projects of a coworker’s less desirable than your old projects?

They are mundane paperwork, grunt work. Ordering supplies. I was designing projects, doing technical work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What makes the new projects of a coworker’s less desirable than your old projects?

They are mundane paperwork, grunt work. Ordering supplies. I was designing projects, doing technical work.

There’s nothing illegal that they’re doing but they want you to leave. Your work isn’t valued enough at the company to warrant a sexual accuser (no matter how valid it likely is). You’re more trouble than you’re worth.

[Anonymous]

One positive for the company. They did get rid of the harasser. That does not always happen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What makes the new projects of a coworker’s less desirable than your old projects?

They are mundane paperwork, grunt work. Ordering supplies. I was designing projects, doing technical work.

That's a problem. Push back.

If it was design on project b instead of project c, that's normal: the work moves forward.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What makes the new projects of a coworker’s less desirable than your old projects?

They are mundane paperwork, grunt work. Ordering supplies. I was designing projects, doing technical work.

There’s nothing illegal that they’re doing but they want you to leave. Your work isn’t valued enough at the company to warrant a sexual accuser (no matter how valid it likely is). You’re more trouble than you’re worth.

Don’t take this person seriously, OP. There is NO information to suggest this.

To the PP who posted this, please consider your words before you post. OP is in a fragile state, and you’re not helping. Don’t post recklessly.

[Anonymous]

I’m sorry, OP. I would talk to your supervisor about the job duties. If there’s a short ramp-up period during which you’re doing a little bit of grunt work to ramp up, I think that’s ok. It’s hard to bring someone back in after extended leave and have them jump back in at exactly the level they were on before. But if the grunt work is all you do or lasts for a long time, that’s not ok.