As you start your career, you have so many dreams that you want to accomplish and have planned out every step of the process. However, you will soon realize that you are in for a rollercoaster ride. The professional journey of an employee includes several phases. There are so many bumps, highs, and lows along the way; a job demotion is one of them. I’m not saying that you have to get a job demotion along the way, but you have to consider the possibility that it might happen.
What is a job demotion?
A job demotion is when your employment rank, position, or status is downgraded mainly for disciplinary or performance reasons.
It's exciting to get promoted to a new challenging position in a stellar company. Finally, you have secured your dream job, and everything about it gives you goosebumps, from the interesting company culture, salary, and benefits, to work ethic. You think everything is running smoothly and your performance is top-notch. But then one day you get called into your boss's office only to leave a few seconds later with a job demotion.
Getting a job demotion is scary and demoralizing. I can only imagine the panic, anxiety, worthlessness, and pain you must feel after a job demotion. Take this time to self-reflect. Maybe you thought you were a top performer, but your efforts did not match the company standards.
Five hard pills to swallow about your job demotion
Historically, job demotions are very rare. Most HR Managers use it as a last resort before job dismissal. However, job demotions have recently become popular. An infographics report by Robert Half Talent Solutions showed that more than one in ten workers got a job demotion in 2018. Moreover, these demotions have mostly happened to male employees between the ages of 18 and 34.
The following are reasons why HR Managers choose to dish out job demotions:
You might have attended a couple of performance reviews, where you received some tidbits and negative feedback from your bosses. After the meeting, you chose not to work on bettering your performance. Alternatively, your declining performance might be because of an unbalanced work-life dynamic. Maybe your personal life is slowly seeping into your work life and draining the little motivation and enthusiasm you have left.
2. Improper work ethics
Your work ethic can strengthen your abilities and character. If you lack the desire, determination, enthusiasm, and values to work hard, it will catch the eye of the human resource department sooner rather than later.
3. Organizational restructuring
The job demotion might be a result of organizational restructuring. Organizations tend to restructure their business models from time to time to become more efficient. The company might shed its skin to accommodate customer needs, leadership inadequacy, business environment dynamics, leverage better market opportunities, rebranding mergers, or internal organization problems. You might be a victim of job demotion because you are the weakest link at the time or you missed the redundancy signs.
4. Inadequate knowledge of the assigned work
It might be a new area of practice or an area you have not had time to brush up on. All in all, the company might decide to give you a job demotion and promote an employee who has more expertise in the assigned work.
5. Lack of work discipline
Your discipline should be positive and contribute to the company culture of the workplace. When an employee lacks work discipline it translates to getting late for work, meetings, or handing in assignments. Simply disregarding the policies and rules of the company and the job position can get you a job demotion.
Every company has a written code of conduct that helps them manage the dynamics of the workplace. If you have been called to the HR Manager’s office one too many times for disciplinary actions, you might have anticipated the job demotion.
How to cope with your job demotion
After a job demotion, most employees tend to sulk and wallow in their negative thoughts. You must be thinking I’m not as good at this as I thought I was or what if I just quit and drop off the face of the earth? Well, I am here to tell you to pick yourself back up by your bootstraps and soldier on.
This was once your dream job, and your inner child might be bruised and demoralized, but this is the time to pick yourself up and figure out why you got a job demotion in the first place. Acceptance is the first step to growth. Maybe your job demotion is your fault, but how do you plan on getting past that and rising from the ashes like the phoenix you are?
Be respectful
After your boss breaks the news, you will have some mixed feelings about the job demotion. Even though it is easy to sit back and roll your eyes at your boss every time they walk by, don't do it! Now is the time to show your boss that you can be a professional with stellar emotional intelligence when it comes to your career. Understand that it was a professional decision, not a personal vendetta against you.
Reflect on the reason for your demotion
What was the reason(s) behind your job demotion? Write them down in a notebook and self-reflect. Think about your past actions, the number of times the HR Manager and your boss warned you, but you did not listen. Make peace with the fact that the damage has already happened, and all you can do now is reflect, forgive yourself, and get a solid solution moving forward.
Be open to feedback
Now that you know where the problem is, reach out to your colleagues and boss. Let them know that you are open to bettering yourself and your craft by learning from their feedback. Turn the negative feedback into lemonade and chug it back. Learning where your mistakes lie from the people who work with you will help you know which areas need some TLC (tender loving care).
Ask questions
Job demotion might be a sore spot, but don’t shy away from the discomfort. Ask your employer follow-up questions on the demotion to get a clear picture of how it will affect your career. Follow-up questions will also give you closure on the whole experience. Possible follow-up questions include:
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“Is there a possibility for a change of position/location/department instead of a demotion?”
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“Can I have a few days to think about the new role?”
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“Is there a possibility that I can get more time to prove myself in my position before you settle for a job demotion?”
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“What would happen if I don't accept the new role?”
Improve your craft
Enrol in any online courses to learn new skills. You can work on your work-life balance or improve on your craft. Let the employer see that you are committed to using this experience to better yourself.
Conclusion
On a scale, dealing with a job demotion can only be equated to a rollercoaster or a full-speed typhoon. However, once you get through the wild negative thoughts and feelings, you can make the experience worth your while. Use it as a stepping stone to improving your craft. Have you ever gotten a job demotion? Tell us how you coped with it in the comments below.