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Scope creep is a slow burnout. Start by tracking what you were hired to do versus what you’re actually doing. Then have a direct conversation with your manager. Ask if your title or pay will reflect the extra workload. If not, push back or start looking. You’re not being difficult. You’re setting a boundary. And that’s how you protect your worth.
Unfortunately this is the era of the generalist, not the specialist. You either get on board or go your own way.
For me, I look at it as “Are these new tasks resulting in me working longer hours?”
If the answer is no and I’m doing the same hours, then I’m not that bothered - I just see it as a way to get paid to strengthen a wider set of skills.
But getting saddled with 2x or more work in the same hours is obviously a different thing altogether.
Oh I hate this, I’m staying away from this unicorn type job descriptions, but not everybody can. And it is true industries are expecting a generalist rather than a specialist. My advise is to slowing plant the seed of a junior designer or internship (paid always), so you may benefit of extra help and tutoring could be fun. Also you will build an rant buddy (always a good thing to have for venting purposes!)
Have a discussion with your supervisor about what they value and then find out if there is more value in it for you. If they bill you out by the hour then an hour of video editing may be the same as an hour of design to them. They may not really understand the difference. If they value your expertise as a designer then make sure they know that you would rather be providing more value in that way and less doing things like social media strategy. The only cure for this kind of thing is to address it when it comes up. “I see you have added another task to my work. Is there additional compensation available for taking on more?” Or, “I see that another task has been added to my workload, what existing work can take a backseat to this new requirement?” Or, “I see this non design task has been added to my responsibilities. Would it make more sense to hire someone at a lower rate to take on these non-creative tasks?” (Note that all three of these approaches are non-threatening questions.) Be prepared for them to push back. The economic realities of running a business may require that they get more from their existing staff. At least for now.
Scope creep or agency creep?
Could you explain the difference? I'm not currently at an agency, I'm at an in-house design team.