Has anyone been asked to take on responsibilities outside their official job description?

Yeah, I've seen this pattern at Abbott too, especially in the last year or so. It feels like they're intentionally understaffing certain departments and then expecting folks to just absorb the extra workload. It's frustrating because it directly hinders your ability to do your actual job well, let alone grow professionally. I'd suggest documenting everything – the requests, the time spent, and how it impacts your primary tasks. It might not change anything overnight, but it could be useful if you decide to have a more formal conversation with your manager or HR about workload distribution.

That's a classic Abbott move. They do this to squeeze more out of existing employees without having to pay for new ones. It's easy for them to say 'team player' when it benefits them. Honestly, you need to start pushing back, politely but firmly. Set boundaries. If you're overloaded with tasks outside your role, you need to communicate that clearly to your manager, stating that it's impacting your ability to meet the expectations of your actual job description. Don't let them exploit your willingness to help.