Demoted - do you agree that this is a gender issue?

[Dollyparton3]

I work in a large global company and for 2 years have led a team in the UK.

Last year we had a restructure, VP that I report into is now in Europe, my boss left in protest.

New VP then came over the the UK and it was the classic "apply for your job again" style of consolidation exercise, no redundancies but managed in a similar way. Nobody applied for my TL role. Just so you are aware, the role gave me more money (commission on team performance) and I was in charge of hiring and firing for that team.

Between Jan and October I was led a merry dance, no idea what we're doing yet, may not need your role any more etc, etc then they promoted a male director in another country that now I report into as my line manager. Straight away one of my colleagues commented on how he seems to speak differently to women than the way he does to men (very dismissive, mansplaining a few times, men are called, women are emailed etc)

Now we've just sat in on a team presentation of the new structure. This new manager has promoted one guy in France, another in another country to TL status and my team are all left with no TL in place. I've been demoted whilst two of my male colleagues have been promoted.

Am I overreacting when I think that this is a gender issue? or is it coincidence and I need to get off my soapbox.

It could very well be a coincidence. Perhaps you weren't up to the standards of the guy?

Or he could very well be an absolute shit of a man (the men I work with are absolutely this)

I would first ask him why you have been demoted and given an outline as to the reasons.

I have asked for feedback and had no response, I should have added that the TL that I used to sit alongside has been given his old title back as well. So I’m really singled out.

Whilst I was a manager I had great feedback whilst in my role at appraisals etc so I’m keen to understand if it’s something I’ve done or not done

The gender issue can be so hard to prove - which is exactly why some perpetrators get away it. It could a gender issue, or it could equally be capability / performance or other reasons. But if you've been demoted and never given the feedback about why (and ideally the chance to rectify things before they go ahead and demote you), it could the way you can challenge this. It doesn't seem like fair / professional treatment of you.

I would definitely raise it with someone OP

No doubt they’ll claim it was all done on merit but isn’t it AMAZING how it always seems to be men who are more deserving of the promoted posts? 🙄