I am currently employed by a large national electrical contractor (based out of Florida) working on several projects in Austin. Technically, I hold the position of Assistant Project Manager. When I took the position, my roles and responsibilities were clearly defined and my salary was set at $55,000. These roles and responsibilities were defined to one specific project. In March 2008, my boss, the Project Manager was terminated. A replacement was not found, but a PM from another project covered the role of PM for my project. However, I was made to complete all on-site work daily. In addition, I had to be on-site at several other projects that the previous PM was in charge of. For my travel time, the company added a $100 per week gas allowance to my salary. On May 1 of 2008, the other PM quit based the way he was being treated by the company. This left no PM on the 3 projects I am involved in. The company's official position then was that I am to fill the role of PM and complete these projects. I am not filling a temporary position. I am expected to fill the role perminantly. They have also made the statement that I will not be receiving any increase in compensation. This is the root of my question.

The standard PM on the size projects I am completing ($4-$6 million electrical contracts) the PM usually receives $90-$110,000 in salary, along with a company vehicle, a company credit card, and a profit-based bonus at the conclusion of a project. With my experience in the trade, I would not warrant quite this much salary, but the position itself dictates at least $70,000. While I am officially listed as the Asst. PM within the company, the company has officially taken the stance that I am to fill the role of PM and am responsible for everything that the position entails. This has taken me from a 40hr/week job to a 60-70hr/week job, with a great deal more demands. I am now expected to serve as the highest ranking official on the jobsite. Does an increase such as this dictate that they must increase my compensation? If they have officially taken the stance that I am to peform the role of PM, do I have any rights to be compensated on Par with my with those of the same position?

Because of this situation, and my overall distaiste for the way the company treats its employees, I will be submitting my 2-week notice in the next few days/weeks. I am also interested if I have any rights regarding unemployment due to my current status. If I leave the company because of a refusal to fill the role of my boss, do I have any ground to collect UI? Basically, I am being devalued by being forced to perform the tasks at a lower rate than the current market dictates. Finally, if I am let go due to "job performance" do I have any wrongful termination rights. I am aware of Texas' position on wrongful termination, but if it is dictated that I completed to role of Asst. PM (my official position and pay) 100%, but am fired for my performance in the role of my boss, do I have a leg to stand on?

I just discovered this site and it is GREAT!! Sorry to be so lengthy, but I wanted to accurately depict my current position. I would love any feedback that you may have. I really feel like I am getting jerked around here and would love any help you can provide for illustrating my rights as an employee. I know this sounds frivilous ("I don't want to do more work without a raise"), but I feel legitimately abused. The company cleared around $250,000 in salary and expenses with the departure of the two PM's, and is expecting the world of me for free.

Thank you for any help!!

Unless you have a bona fide employment contract that specifies raises when "extra work" is assigned, the employer can pay you, as (I'm assuming) an exempt employee, as little as $455/week. There is no wage and hour law that is going to force the employer to give you a raise.

And it's almost a certainty that you aren't going to be eligible for UI benefits if you quit because you feel like you are not being adequately compensated for the additional duties. UI is intended for people who lose their job through no fault of their own, not for people who are unhappy with their salary.