To consider a voluntary downgrade at work?

[Clockwork95]

Anyone done this? I'm considering it for a less stressful life and more headspace and possibly to reduce my working hours (difficult to do at my current level).

However it obviously means slightly less money and a step back career wise. Plus it would be a pretty unusual move at my workplace and I'm slightly worried people will think I did something awful and it's a punishment

I don’t think careers should always be planned on a striving and money basis, so I think you are right to consider it. But yes, it is unusual and if I am honest I think people will assume you are suffering from stress. Why not discuss it with your manager tentatively?

I actually did this. I was in quite a demanding management role with an overbearing boss, working lots of overtime and felt conpletely knackered. Best decision I made, much better work life balance (I have two primary age kids) and I have started to have a lot more satisfaction in my work, without all the stresses of more senior position.

I'd try it at a new workplace, because your line manager will know what you were doing and potentially have you working at the same level for less pay.

I've done it (at new workplaces) but it's always ended up backfiring on me, because I work faster and more confidently than a junior, so get loaded up and overworked for shit money.

Although that may just be my profession. Might be possible in a more defined, task focused industry?

I once had a boss that did this. We all looked opened mouthed at first but, at the end of the day, we all agreed they had done the right thing. They were certainly happier in the long run.

I'm looking at retiring in the next ten years and I think I might downgrade for the last coup!e of years (or a bit less). I can do that and still get my full pension so it seems a good way to me to be able to stay in in my job longer but also to wind down a bit. To be honest I would also like to reduce my hours a bit as well. I wish I could afford to do it now!

Thank you so much everyone for the reflections. I think my manager would think I'm totally bonkers. She was talking to me last week about going for promotion

I think if I were to do it I'd have to move to another part of the organisation or perhaps even a new organisation. But that may add fuel to the rumours that I left under a cloud I guess!!

I think it depends on the kind of job to be honest.
I went down a job grade to avoid redundancy and just ended up working at exactly the same level as before just on a job grade lower. I’m finally getting back up to the grade I was first promoted to 7 years ago now.

I did exactly this... I also somehow managed to keep my pay level (no idea how!) but it’s so much less stressful and more importantly for me... there is no travel which my previous role had. I walk out he door at 530pm and I don’t think about work at all in evening! That is worth the occasional question “why did you step down?” “Do you not want to get promoted again?” Etc