Can you refuse to do personal tasks at work?

[Taylor951]

I was asked to box up and ship personal (gift) items and explained that I felt unconfortable doing so. I received a very nasty response stating that I will "do whatever I'm told to do - business or personal" Do I have a legal leg to stand on besides the ones I'll use to walk out the door if this is true?

[KLAND]

I am a PA so have to do those sorts of things all the time. Personally I don't mind. I am getting paid and it is better than some of the jobs I get asked to do!

[CheekyChops]

I agree with KLAND, at the end of the day my boss pays my wages so I do whatever he asks (within reason obviously).

[cascarelli]

Depends what your job description is and what it says in your contract. Most contracts leave it a bit open by saying you'll do the work requested of you, or words to that effect. I would think it would be unreasonable to refuse - unless of course they were VERY personal items? As said above, you're being paid for doing it so it shouldn't be a problem really.

[dzug]

If you are in a large company it could be amusing (but maybe risky) to ask your boss's boss if he approves of company resources being misused in this manner. After all YOU don't want to be in trouble from higher up for said misuse.

But if your boss is the company owner that won't work.