What to Do When Job Requirements Change

June 25, 2014 5:41 PM

I'm open to all suggestions on this. I started a new job in January, one that requires me to write press releases, take photos, etc. Today, the boss, who is not my biggest fan, announced to our little group that whoever is assigned to take photos will also have to shoot video at the same event,

plus provide paperwork to the guy leading the press conference. I do not feel physically able to haul camera and video equipment, including tripod, to an event. Among other things, I am just eligible for Social Security and was treated for cancer last year. I simply am not as strong as I was 18 months ago. Any thoughts? I'm reluctant to say I can't do it because that would be another strike against me (I was hired just before the new boss came in and he clearly prefers to hire his own people).But I don't know how I can cope with this new requirement.

posted by etaoin to Law & Government (5 answers total)

Best answer: If you have a disability, then your employer has to accommodate you. Just tell him, I have a disability I'm not physically able to lift more than X pounds. How can you accommodate me?"

Start looking for a job with people who value your contribution, and where you do the job you expect to do.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 6:46 PM on June 25, 2014 [2 favorites]

If you have software that allows you to extract stills from the video you shoot, then you don't need to also take photos. I used to be the photographer/interviewer/videographer and when I did it well it was because I was lucky or my subjects were extremely accommodating.
posted by headnsouth at 6:47 PM on June 25, 2014 [2 favorites]

How hi-res does the video need to be? Is there a lighter-weight video camera that could do the job? There are a lot of newer video cameras that are a lot easier to handle, especially if the video will just be on the Web. I don't know who would buy this camera, you or your employer, but maybe there's some way to make that happen. You might check with a local camera shop to see if they do rentals, and try one out and float the idea that way. That's one potential workaround!
posted by limeonaire at 7:42 PM on June 25, 2014

I agree with Ruthless Bunny...as long as your health problems are documented (which obviously they are if you had cancer), you should be able to ask for accommodations. You should not have to do this type of work if you are physically unable to do so, and weren't told about it when you were hired.
posted by Maggsie97 at 8:57 PM on June 25, 2014

Response by poster: Thank you, everyone, for your replies. RB may have found the true answer. Thanks again.
posted by etaoin at 2:33 AM on June 26, 2014