Company changing my role in IT. Rights?

Hi,
Ive been working with an large (global) IT company for nearly 10 years . I was hired to work in a specific area due to a particular skillset I have. I took on a new role in the company about 4 years ago which had a specialised IT skillset (A) attached to it and have been concentrating on a career path in this role ever since.
Ive just come out of a meeting where Ive been told that the section I work in is having an organisational change and some resources are being moved around. The headcount means theres only room for so many resources in my skillset so they want to move me into an IT role (B) where I have no interest as I know the career opportunites will be limited. They want to move me to role B as Im the only one in the office with expertise in it. Ive been told theres no scope for me to remain in my current role.

I flatly refused the change so it will be discussed at a higher level.
Is the company entitled to do this and have I any recourse if they press ahead and say I have to take role B? Other people have been hired after me (one only in recent weeks) to work in role A and they are remaining in that role in the new organisation.

My concern is that as Ive backfilled for role B before, that the company can say my job isnt changing, but whenever Ive had do that it was only temporary. (holiday cover etc).

TIA for any advice.

I would imagine your job title is "software engineer" rather than "Jakarta/J2EE engineer" for example. Similarly, I'd imagine your contract has a clause in it about taking up different duties as needs require.
If they're not changing your terms & conditions (pay, hours, etc.) then legally I'm not sure you have much grounds.
I would say the best option, if possible, is to try and negotiate an exit. e.g. you're willing to help out for a while but don't want this to become a dead end. Similarly, if you can put yourself in their position and propose an alternative that works for them (& you).
HTH.

Correct. AFAIR, contract has me listed as something like a "technical consultant", and it probably also says "I must do whatever company says I must do" long time since i looked at it now, will dig it out later.
However as my existing role A is a very specialist role, and i can prove that thats what Ive been doing for a number of years, Im likening it to joining a company where I sign on as a general worker, take on a trade as carpenter within that company, getting certified as a carpenter, serve a number of years as a carpenter and then being told Im now going to be opening the post because my original contract says I was a general worker, theres no scope to recognise me as a carpenter. (no offence to letter openers).

But you're still being paid the same (as a carpenter).

Correct in some ways. Theres oncall and overtime in my current role A but not in role B, and Ive been on that for last 4 years, but to be honest, the salary bit doesnt bother me too much, its role B which is the problem. Much reduced prospects, not as nice work(horrible in fact), travel involved to sites etc.

If I decide to leave, the market rate for Role B is much lower. Not that thats an argument I can give to my employers for not taking it mind you.

i think you'll find that big companies will have already researched the contract end of things for each person involved - bottom line is that you will be put into role B whether you agree or not.
I was in a similar position a few years ago - employed to work as A, moved into B after 3 years, worked @ B for 6 years, title specification in contract was not changed, B roles outsourced for all of company with all employees on B contracts receiving large redundancy packages, me - put back to work in position A.

No amount of Union involvement or otherwise could change the outcome - ended up I left shortly after and am contracting as B for last few years.

OP - If role A is a specialised one have a look into the market place - chances are there aren't that many people around and rates will be good.

nai said:

i think you'll find that big companies will have already researched the contract end of things for each person involved - bottom line is that you will be put into role B whether you agree or not.
I was in a similar position a few years ago - employed to work as A, moved into B after 3 years, worked @ B for 6 years, title specification in contract was not changed, B roles outsourced for all of company with all employees on B contracts receiving large redundancy packages, me - put back to work in position A.

No amount of Union involvement or otherwise could change the outcome - ended up I left shortly after and am contracting as B for last few years.

OP - If role A is a specialised one have a look into the market place - chances are there aren't that many people around and rates will be good.

Click to expand...

Agreed. They may say newer members of staff have not the cross competence to perform role A, you have experience ... weasel words.

Newer staff = lower paid, and you will probably leave, so higher paid off payroll, policy in most multi-nats today.