Trying to help my stressed friend with an interesting work related question!

She’s being asked to add on an important responsibility to her job where she’s only been new for a few months.

This responsibility was previously done under her job title in the past BUT when hired, the responsibility was someone else’s responsibility and NOT that of her title. Only asked that if that person took a day off, they may be asked to help with this responsibility on an occasion.

Makes some sense for her to do it; makes some sense for the other person to do it.

She’s willing to do it but can’t help but feel in her gut that it should require compensation in some form; whether that be a raise, chance to move up the ladder in the future, etc.

Selfish or no? What should I tell her?

Depends if she wants to rise to the top or not. People worth having around make the boss' load lighter.  The money will come in due time.  

If you make the boss' job harder, you are a drag on their day and not worth having around.  If a company needs someone to step up and the person is only going to pitch in if they get a raise, that's not making the boss' load lighter.

She should smile and say:  "Of course I'll learn how to do XXXX!" And she should happily learn to do any and all jobs she is offered training for -- and work to do them well.  THAT's how you move up and make more money -- you show you are a team player, willing to learn new skills, and let her supervisor know she wants to 'move up'.  

Great advice!! I think that’s the key part; she wants to learn and grow her skills, and move up in the future. Just not be taken advantage of by doing more and more responsibilities in the same position forever. So she should make her want to grow with the company simultaneously be known?

She absolutely should speak with her supervisor when she and he/she sit down and finalize her schedule of learning the new tasks -- she should let the supervisor know she is eager to learn more and ask what she can and should do to get ready to 'move up'.  Employees who are enthusiastic, eager to learn and eager to do more -- who lift others - and their boss - 'up' are extremely valued.  And she should always take the high road and stay out of office gossip and drama.  Good luck to your friend!

If she will go above and beyond by doing all duties asked without complaining, trust me, she will be noticed.

The hardest part of a manager's job is dealing with employees.  Be an employee who doesn't require the boss' constant attention.  Be the person who makes other people's job easier, that is how you get noticed the right way.

In everything, put in the work and effort first, then the rewards come later.

if she has a strong work ethic she will go far in life. If she wants to move up shes got to show that shes willing to work for it. 

Edie to add" I reread your post and see shes only been there a few months, if she proves shes willing to work the extra load that shes been asked of and if shes willing to take it on since she is the new person I bet they will take notice if she does are does not, if she does and does it with a smile and works at it they will take highly notice of this girl and make it right with her in the future I bet.

Thanks guys! Great advice. She definitely does. She goes above and beyond. She just wasn’t sure how to handle accepting something new while still feeling respected and making it known she wants to move up with out getting trampled on. I will give her these words of wisdom!