My work recently had a manager in my area retire, so they posted the position. My boss at the time encouraged me to apply for it, as currently I'm the best qualified for it. He also warned that if a suitable manager couldn't be found, they would probably ask me to fill in anyways. So I applied. Long story short, they found an outside candidate that is extremely qualified, and I didnt get the job. I'm not upset, I honestly didn't really want it because it's more administrative work that I'm not really interested in. I'm already a lead for my department under almost the same exact circumstance of there being literally no one else quakified for the position. I was already doing the work, so I applied and at least got paid for it.
Now for the rub. My boss sat me down to let me know they had gone with another candidate, but that he wouldn't be available until February to step into the roll. Then proceeded to tell me I would be the temporary manager until he is settled into the roll. When I asked what the pay would be then, he let me know that since I'm already a lead, there wouldn't be any other pay. Part of being a lead is being temporary signature authority of my direct boss is out of town/busy, and is basically saying that's why there would be no additional pay. I told him I would think about it. Today, at end of business he sent out an email saying the position was filled and I would be the temporary manager. I didnt agree to this, and now feel like it's just an expectation that I will do it. If I refuse to, there's a chance they will make me step down from lead which is a pay cut.
I'm glad they found someone very qualified to do the job, I'm definitely not there, but was just the best internal candidate. If I step down from lead, there's not a single person who can replace me. But it feels like the nuclear option to just say “If this is something you're going to make me do, I'm stepping down.” Currently I definitely can not afford to get fired.
Any advice?