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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To choose to be demoted

14 replies

Mumofone1860 · 23/07/2019 09:17

I have worked in a company for 10 years.

I am currently classed as a manager but we are basically customer service advisors who deal with management calls (there are about 15 of us).

Someone new to our team has recently realised she hasn't been getting her updated pay as she used to work on the normal customer service team. 6 months back pay was £90.

So my AIBU- I know I don't work much and it's still a pay cut but should I go back to customer service? I have had 3 issues lately and every time I bring it up to my boss I am told 'if you don't like it go back to customer service'.

I love my team as I have been with them for 6 years (before this was elsewhere in the company) but I just feel like now I know the pay gap is so small why am I taking so much abuse off strangers on the phone and not having any of my issues dealt with as 'if I don't like it I can go to customer service'

Before any one asks it's not that they are trying to get rid of me as alot of other staff have said the same, that our boss uses that as a comeback to anything.

OP posts:

fiydwi · 23/07/2019 09:44

I was in a management role in a similar setting to you.
I decided to reduce my hours and go back to a call taking customer service role and I’m earning just £300 a month less. That’s with taking a lesser role and dropping 2 days.
If I went back full time in this role then I would be on a lot more than my manager pay as I can earn so much more in incentive.
It’s just not worth the hassle. It was so much more stressful and now I’ve got a nice little laid back role and I’m happier than I’ve been in a long time x

adaline · 23/07/2019 09:46

YANBU.

Sometimes it's just not worth the extra hassle!

I was one in a job where my supervisor earned six pence an hour more than me - not even 50p a day! Definitely not worth it in my eyes, unless you're using it as a stop-gap to a better job or a certain promotion.

Snog · 23/07/2019 09:56

I've known people do this and it work out really well

Original poster

Mumofone1860 · 23/07/2019 09:58

Thank you for your comments! Have been really thinking about it and stressing but I honestly think for me it's the best move. I said to my husband that imagine when I have an issue at work and management have to deal with it rather than telling me if I don't like it to leave the team! Also customer service don't have to work at the weekends!

OP posts:

ElizaPancakes · 23/07/2019 10:01

For an extra £30 a month? Absolutely.

I’m in a (sort of) similar situation - I’m two grades above the front line agents but because I don’t get overtime or incentive payments I’m sometimes earning the same as them over the course of a year. Base salaries are nearly £10k different

ElizaPancakes · 23/07/2019 10:02

Sorry £15 extra a month not even £30!

NotSorry · 23/07/2019 10:03

Do it, you will be happier

Pollywollydoodah · 23/07/2019 10:03

Definitely make the change for the sake of your happiness. I spent almost 10 years in a supervisory position where I was paid less than 60p an hour more than other staff on minimum wage , but where I actually did quite a bit of management stuff because there was no manager. I ended up resigning altogether because I was desperately unhappy. If I could have downgraded my role I would have

Ruminthebath · 23/07/2019 10:51

It depends. If you just go to work to pay the bills and would be happy at customer service level for the next ten years then go for it - slightly less money more than made up for by reduced stress and free weekends! But if you think of yourself as having a career rather than a job I’d be wary of taking a demotion because it will affect your longer term prospects. Is it worth looking around for other roles in other companies? Might be a chance to take a step up for more money and reduce the stress of being in a toxic work environment. It sounds like a big part of your problem is a bad manager with one comeback rather than seeking to resolve your workplace concerns.

Youseethethingis · 23/07/2019 10:58

YANBU. Old fashioned companies with these kinds of shitty attitudes to pay structures and staff satisfaction deserve all they get in terms of staff retention issues. The more good employees who vote with their feet the better IMO.

NewName54321 · 23/07/2019 11:19

I dropped a senior leadership role to middle management.

By the time my salary had been taxed, the difference was only about £40 a week. I was being paid £8 a day for hassle!

Original poster

Mumofone1860 · 23/07/2019 14:29

At the moment it is just to pay bills, hoping to get a new job when my child is older and I have more time and more flexibility hours wise. I definitely feel better about doing it now, thank you for your replies!

OP posts:

Zippyx · 23/07/2019 14:59

For career progression purposes? YABU.

If on your CV it implies you received a promotion and then a demotion (albeit voluntary), you may find it difficult to even get an interview in future. Even if you were to get an interview, what employer is going to get a good impression of someone who backed off as soon as it got a bit rough as opposed to tackling it head on? It might be worth it in terms of practicality, but for your job progression it'll wreak havoc in my opinion.

Don't do it, OP. You'll regret it.

timeisnotaline · 23/07/2019 15:05

I’m sure it could be explained as a phase in the cv for later job applications. The op could say something about finishing time and child pick up or whatever and she’s glad to be able to step back up now.

I’d love you to raise the issues again and when your manager says it say you know what? I’m so fed up I think I will.

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