Demotion

[NewHorizons2024]

I'm looking at a potential demotion from managerial responsibilities. It would be less salary but I think I could make it work. The positives being not having to manage others. I'm actually a good manager but I can't do that part plus the other two parts of the role, maintain sanity, and manage my own health and wellbeing. I have a condition which is coming into play. I also think the relationship with my manager is at a toxic point mainly as she is frustrated as am I. The only part I am worried about is whether I will feel disappointed in myself, especially when the lower income is felt. I worked for this career for a good time and managed for a while. I think I can mitigate some of the disappointment by having a better work life balance.

Can someone who did this and is further on tell me what they did- can you / did you go back to managing and better pay at a later point? How do you cover that on a CV?

I'm worried I'll get into telling myself a negative story, language of failing etc. Am I just overthinking it and in reality when I get into the new role it will just be positive? I am a little worried I will obsess about finding other ways to make money which may then be counterproductive. I'm also quite stressed and not able to think that clearly about whether I will have enough to live on. I think it will be OK on paper but I have debts and won't have time to pay them back now before a drop so will be stuck with a zero % credit card debt for years.

I suppose there are options like part time manager, if I felt I wanted to manage again.

Sorry that is a massive brain dump but experiences welcome.

Following as enjoy my job but is v stressful and am struggling with my health condition

Hopefully we can get some input. There are some demotion threads if you search too and on the whole sounds positive.

Were it not for the health condition I would probably battle on. It is not severe just a little sub normal but that means I have to work hard at feeling normal.

Someone I work with went from middle management back to senior practitioner, he's honest that management wasn't for him. Most people really respect him for that and he's a great senior prac. We have other middle managers who are terrible but have no self reflection so just keep taking the salary. (Not under my line management, some other senior managers are not keen on capability processes) . They are not respected.

Same. I get lots of positive feedback, if I wasn't ill I would be fine but I feel like I have nothing left in me to enjoy life after working because it takes so much from my body (it's high pressured by it's very nature and stress exacerbates my autoimmune condition)

For now I'm overpaying mortgage and putting savings aside so that I feel like I am increasing my options.

I'm also keeping my eye out for roles that aren't a demotion as such but maybe a bit more "foot off the pedal"

I stepped back when I had kids - there were other things in the mix though including poor mental health and bullying. I went to a job I knew I could do blindfolded and yes the drop in pay was hard but I knew I needed space to feel better in myself and to care for the kids.

After 6 years I’ve gone into a new job at my previous level, I feel confident and happy with what I’m doing. Had I not taken the step back I think I would be very unwell by now. You only have one life, your health has to come first.

I dropped a grade and some hours when DS was young and I was going through some health issues. I don't regret it at all - except when I look at my predicted pension- because the alternative was resigning.

Once DS was old enough to get bus to and from work I applied for jobs at my old grade and had no difficulty getting one. I wouldn't worry too much about your CV, as long as you can put a convincing narrative around your decisions that paints you in a good light, then it's fine.

I suppose I'm not entirely clear if its the management responsibilities or your manager that is the main issue at the minute. Will you work less hours by changing role or is it just less responsibility?

sorry posted that in the wrong place.

Thanks this is helpful. Yes I need to get advice before I make a decision.

@Jellycatspyjamas Thanks yes 6 years feels like a good length of time to have a break from it.

I essentially dropped myself down 3 levels when I had my child. Went part time too. For me no amount of money was worth the time I would miss out on with my child. When people ask me why I demoted myself I am honest and say it was for my family. My previous job was high stress and mon to fro 8-4 but in reality it was sooo much more. Lots of 12hr days. On call every other weekend. 6am phone calls ect. Now I turn up do my best and leave.
when my child is older I will climb the ladder again

@NewHorizons2024 it’s worked really well for me. I had the time with the kids in a “dial it in” job with a good enough salary (my career was well established so even dropping down a bit I was on an above average wage). It took a little while to find the right step up again - I was seriously looking for about 6 months before I saw this opportunity. I’ve gone into the role with a better understanding of my abilities and capacity, have been able to negotiate on working hours and where I am on the salary scale based on the breadth of experience I have and while it’s early days I think the job is the right thing for me at the right time.

Taking a step back gives you the chance to re-evaluate without the pressures of the job you’re in, and to regain confidence in key skills. It doesn’t need to mean the death of your career at all if, when the time is right, you’re choosy about your next move.

I meant to say, I covered it in my CV by focussing on a particular area of specialism I was able to develop in the “step down” role, which I wouldn’t have been able to do if I stayed in the more senior role. So in my new job I’m considered an expert in a particular field that they needed despite me coming from a technically more junior role. My management skills were evidenced by my previous experience and my “expert” knowledge filled a possible gap they were needing filled.