Misuse of function at work: risks, impacts and prevention strategies
Posted: Sun Feb 02, 2025 8:43 am
Today we will look at the risks, impacts and prevention strategies so that job deviations in your company do not become a common practice.
When hiring an employee, an agreement is signed between the employee and the company. In this contract, in addition to issues such as salary and working hours, it also specifies which functions the employee will perform.
The practice of misappropriating functions can result in lawsuits, fines and compensation that could seriously harm your company's finances and image among employees and the market.
Let's understand what a task diversion actually is, examples and cambodia whatsapp list strategies to avoid this situation, such as using a task manager . Keep reading!
Understanding Functional Drift
Misuse of function at work can be understood as the performance of a task other than that for which the employee was hired. Generally, the employee receives less than he or she should for performing such function and there is no change in function in the professional record.
Misuse of function is a major concern for companies, as they may be penalized if an employee files a lawsuit for misuse of function and wins the case.
On the other hand, employees who end up facing the problem of job misuse become overwhelmed and afraid of not being able to complete all their tasks and being penalized.
sesame hr logo
Optimize productivity and collaboration with Sesame HR's task manager
Assign, track, and complete tasks efficiently, keep your team focused on goals, and achieve exceptional results on every project.
Free trial
Examples of job misuse in the workplace
We can cite some practical examples that are very common in the day-to-day running of companies, but which should not be.
Let's take the example of a restaurant where the cook is away on medical leave for a few days and the kitchen assistant is responsible for his/her duties. If this happens for a few days until the cook returns, there will be no problem, but if the cook is away for six months and the assistant continues to perform his/her duties, then it could be considered a misuse of duties.
Another practical example is to have a store clerk collect payments at the cash register. If this is only done sporadically and with the employee's consent, it is not considered a misuse of duties. However, if this is a constant occurrence, then the employee may be able to file a lawsuit against the company.
We could cite many more examples, but the important thing is to understand that sporadic things cannot become definitive without the necessary changes.
BR - INBOUND - Template - Checklist employee productivity
Risks and impacts of job deviation
The impact of job displacement can often be felt when we come across tired, dissatisfied, stressed and even sick employees.
Because what was supposed to be just to cover another employee's vacation or leave ended up being part of their routine for longer than was acceptable.
The risks that the company faces range from unmotivated employees to even having to face labor lawsuits and pay compensation.
Legal and compliance risks associated with misuse of function
As we have already mentioned, job misuse can have serious consequences for the company. Below we will list the three most common ones, which are:
Salary Change: In any workplace, salaries vary according to the position and duties performed. Therefore, if the employee proves that he or she was performing work other than what he or she was hired to do, the company will be required to cover the salary difference.
Indirect termination: As it is considered a serious offense, if the employee proves the deviation from the function, he/she may, in addition to the salary difference, request the termination of the contract and receive all severance pay as if he/she had been dismissed without just cause.
Compensation: This may occur if an employee performs a task that is inferior to the one for which he or she was hired. This employee may request compensation from the company for moral damages.
Strategies to prevent functional deviation
When hiring an employee, an agreement is signed between the employee and the company. In this contract, in addition to issues such as salary and working hours, it also specifies which functions the employee will perform.
The practice of misappropriating functions can result in lawsuits, fines and compensation that could seriously harm your company's finances and image among employees and the market.
Let's understand what a task diversion actually is, examples and cambodia whatsapp list strategies to avoid this situation, such as using a task manager . Keep reading!
Understanding Functional Drift
Misuse of function at work can be understood as the performance of a task other than that for which the employee was hired. Generally, the employee receives less than he or she should for performing such function and there is no change in function in the professional record.
Misuse of function is a major concern for companies, as they may be penalized if an employee files a lawsuit for misuse of function and wins the case.
On the other hand, employees who end up facing the problem of job misuse become overwhelmed and afraid of not being able to complete all their tasks and being penalized.
sesame hr logo
Optimize productivity and collaboration with Sesame HR's task manager
Assign, track, and complete tasks efficiently, keep your team focused on goals, and achieve exceptional results on every project.
Free trial
Examples of job misuse in the workplace
We can cite some practical examples that are very common in the day-to-day running of companies, but which should not be.
Let's take the example of a restaurant where the cook is away on medical leave for a few days and the kitchen assistant is responsible for his/her duties. If this happens for a few days until the cook returns, there will be no problem, but if the cook is away for six months and the assistant continues to perform his/her duties, then it could be considered a misuse of duties.
Another practical example is to have a store clerk collect payments at the cash register. If this is only done sporadically and with the employee's consent, it is not considered a misuse of duties. However, if this is a constant occurrence, then the employee may be able to file a lawsuit against the company.
We could cite many more examples, but the important thing is to understand that sporadic things cannot become definitive without the necessary changes.
BR - INBOUND - Template - Checklist employee productivity
Risks and impacts of job deviation
The impact of job displacement can often be felt when we come across tired, dissatisfied, stressed and even sick employees.
Because what was supposed to be just to cover another employee's vacation or leave ended up being part of their routine for longer than was acceptable.
The risks that the company faces range from unmotivated employees to even having to face labor lawsuits and pay compensation.
Legal and compliance risks associated with misuse of function
As we have already mentioned, job misuse can have serious consequences for the company. Below we will list the three most common ones, which are:
Salary Change: In any workplace, salaries vary according to the position and duties performed. Therefore, if the employee proves that he or she was performing work other than what he or she was hired to do, the company will be required to cover the salary difference.
Indirect termination: As it is considered a serious offense, if the employee proves the deviation from the function, he/she may, in addition to the salary difference, request the termination of the contract and receive all severance pay as if he/she had been dismissed without just cause.
Compensation: This may occur if an employee performs a task that is inferior to the one for which he or she was hired. This employee may request compensation from the company for moral damages.
Strategies to prevent functional deviation