My new job is not what I thought it would be. Can I walk out?

Each week, Dr Kirstin Ferguson tackles questions on workplace, career and leadership in her advice column, Got a Minute? This week: walking out on a new job, recognising new responsibilities and negotiating a pay rise.

I have started a new job as a receptionist and I am expected to do so many things that were not mentioned in the interview including vacuuming, cleaning the kitchen, buying staff milk and biscuits and emptying the staff bins. I have to buy 10 different coffee orders which I pay for on my card and wait for reimbursement. I want to quit. If I just don’t turn up, and email a resignation effective immediately (and then don’t answer my phone), can they withhold my pay? We are paid monthly, and I will be owed about three weeks.

Walking out and ghosting your employer, and then expecting payment without giving any notice, is neither professional nor reasonable. Have you tried speaking to your new boss about the work you are being asked to do? Was there a miscommunication during your interview about the role, or do you feel they actively misled you?

I recommend you calmly approach your new employer and explain your concerns. If you feel the role is still not for you, let your boss know and agree on a plan. They might ask you to stay around while they hire someone else, or else you could agree on a date to finish and make arrangements to be paid for the period you have worked. Unless you are in an unsafe situation (in which case you should leave now), quitting without notice and then ignoring their calls will only reflect poorly on you.

I’ve been with my organisation for nine years, and I’ve had two small pay rises and a CPI increase each year. Over the years my role has morphed into an entirely different job from when I started, and I don’t feel like I’m being fairly remunerated for all the extra tasks I’ve taken on. We don’t have an HR department, so I don’t have anyone to talk to about this and my requests to discuss this are dismissed. What are my rights?

Document what your current role is. Given the scope seems to have changed frequently, I am guessing your job description hasn’t been updated. This will make it easier to propose appropriate remuneration for your role as it looks now. Then ask to meet your boss to discuss your responsibilities, in the first instance, so you can make sure your boss is on the same page. Explain when your last remuneration review was and clarify what has changed in your role since that time and ask for your remuneration to be reviewed so you are paid fairly for the work you do now.

If, after the discussion, you are still unhappy with the level of pay you are receiving, it may be time to move on. You have gained new responsibilities over the years with your company, and it could be time to look for a new role where you can use this experience – and be paid equal to the experience you bring.

My workplace has started a new project which has led to my workload essentially doubling. When I was told about these new responsibilities, I was promised a pay review and increase. However, whenever I mention it, I’m told that it’s for another conversation and will be on the radar once other things have been finalised. I am repeatedly told I am vital to the success of the project and should be thrilled with the recognition – which I am – but I would like a pay rise to match the extra workload. How can I get my manager to hear me?

Recognition, while important, doesn’t pay the rent, so I can see your frustration. Is this new project only short term, or a permanent change to your role? And when you were told you would get a pay review did they mention if that was going to happen during the regular annual pay review cycle, or once the project started?