You thought you were doing a pretty good job, maybe even moving up the company ladder. At first, when your boss called you in for a meeting, you immediately thought it might be to tell you about a promotion or a raise. Then, with a wave of panic, you wondered if you might be terminated. But as you soon found out, it was none of the above. The reason your boss wanted to have this discussion was to let you know you were being demoted at work.
So much for that promotion.
A workplace demotion can come as a shock, even though getting demoted is not particularly uncommon in the workplace. A demotion is defined as a reduction in work level. It’s the downgrading of your rank or status, sometimes even your job title, under umbrella terms like “reorganization” or “reassignment.”
Why would someone get demoted? It could be the result of something they did or didn’t do, or it could be beyond their control.
People can get demoted in the workplace for a variety of reasons, including but not limited to:
Performance issues: If an employee is not meeting the standards or expectations of their current role, they may be demoted to a lower position where their skills and abilities are better suited.
Attendance and punctuality: Consistently being late or absent from work can lead to demotion.
Unprofessional behavior: Engaging in unethical or unprofessional conduct, such as harassment, insubordination, or theft, can result in demotion.
Poor attitude: A negative attitude towards work or colleagues can impact an employee’s ability to perform their job effectively and may lead to demotion.
Restructuring: Companies may undergo a restructuring that results in employees being demoted due to changes to their roles or responsibilities.
Lack of skills: If employees lack the skills or knowledge required for their current role, they may be demoted to a position where their skills are better suited.
An involuntary workplace demotion can be a blow to your ego, your career and your bank account. It could be a wake-up call that your skills aren’t up to par or simply a result of your company downsizing or undergoing a merger.
Your first inclination may be to turn in your resignation letter and start looking for another job. But that’s not necessarily your best move. Following are five steps that can help you regain your footing after a demotion at work.
The first thing is to find out why your company is taking this action and to calmly reflect on it. Was it a disciplinary action? A performance-related issue? The elimination of your position? Or was it simply part of a company reorganization? If structural or policy changes contributed to your demotion, that may take some of the emotional sting away, but the fact remains that your role is changing.
Whatever the reasons, consider asking questions such as these:
“Can I have a little more time in the position to improve?”
“Can you describe my new role?”
“Can you outline the transition plan?”
“What if I don’t want to take the position you’re offering?”
“How will the demotion be communicated?”
Consider the possibility that your manager considers you a valuable employee and wants you to be successful in a role that better suits your current skills. Just because you got a demotion at work doesn’t mean the manager doesn’t want you working there at all.
Ask if there are concerns about your performance or attitude or if there are ways you can improve your job skills. Listen for helpful suggestions, and don’t discount the possibility of a better offer opening up later at your company, in the same department or another.
Don’t underestimate the toll being demoted at work can take on your emotions. You might feel rejected or unappreciated, and you may need to seek support from friends, family, or even mentors and counselors outside the workplace.
But just because you got demoted at work, it’s not the end of the line for your career. Once you have some time to think about the demotion and process how it makes you feel, you may even be able turn what first seemed like a negative into a positive. Being in a new position at work may lead you to seriously considering where you want to go in your career and how you plan on getting there, and that’s always a plus.
Once you’ve reflected on the demotion in a way that leaves the door open to a positive next step, find a way to frame the demotion as an opportunity to strengthen your skills or performance and strategize where you want to go with your career. Focus on identifying specific steps you can take to regain your confidence. Seek opportunities to invest in yourself with professional development training toward certifications and accreditations. If you decide to stay in the lower-level job, consider how you can do your very best.
If you decide to explore the employment waters and plan for your departure after your demotion at work, you’ll need to update your resume, initiate networking activities, ask for referrals, research companies and start your job search. This may be an ideal time to work with a recruiter to make connections with employers.
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