Changing to a non-management role without taking a significant pay cut

[Fairislesweater]

I am competent, hardworking and good at what I do. However in my current role I have to manage a team and there’s always someone being difficult, off sick etc. I’m good at people management but I really don’t enjoy it. Has anyone managed to move into an equivalent role without this aspect? I realise it’s hard because the extra money comes with management so I would be looking at a better paid industry (currently public sector. I am qualified to level 4 in my role and also hold an MBA). I’m 45, and I would just like a job I can get on with! I’m not sure what I’m asking really. I suppose I would like to hear from people who’ve managed to shift roles in this way, losing the management aspect but without retraining into something new, although I’m open to that too. Any advice or tips would be welcome.

Have you talked to your manager about this?

What does he expect to happen? You keep doing his job for him and he just takes a salary for doing what he feels like until he retires or otherwise moves on?

Being a subject matter expert. Haven’t managed anyone in years, and very happy with that. Means no promotions, but i’m good with that - the additional money wouldn’t cover my additional costs (longer working hours)

Yes I did. Used to manage several people but it was always a nightmare as there were constant conflicts in the team, sickness, various grievances to deal with. Every problem or issue became mine to sort out. I liked the people but I hated the role and it was burning me out. I did a sort of side step into a different sector but with enough cross overs with my experience to make it a plausible move. No line management and it's absolute bliss. My tip would be to look for small specialist companies/org of like 6-7 people where you can be in a senior role, rather than a big company where you're bottom of the hierarchy.

Yes my manager is well aware. It’s an ongoing situation which we are closely monitoring, but it has escalated recently. We are planning a meeting with the individual once school starts again (my manager is the head teacher) to lay out expectations and work out what needs to change. The next step would be a PIP. In the meantime however if I don’t pick up certain things, they don’t get done at all, which leaves us with immediate problems (eg rooms locked that need to be accessed, contractors needing access etc)

Thank you this is encouraging. Having always been public sector it feels a bit alien to me!

Does sound like PIP is the way to go. If they won’t engage with occupational health in some ways it makes it easier for you as you don’t need to work through negotiations about details of adjustments.

It might help in the pre meet for meeting the individual to approach it as ‘is there any reason we can’t make this upcoming meeting the start of the formal PIP process’.

You might not find a new role immediately, so it’s still helping you in the long run. It also gives you excellent interview fodder. You might also find line management in the private sector different so I wouldn’t totally rule it out.

Yes I did OP. I enjoyed the organising, coaching, developing training and day to day problem solving aspect of management. However, the role became more about being a social worker dealing people’s and personal problems rather than the work. Trying to juggle individual issues and the workload weighed heavily on me and I was close to burn out. I was lucky enough to find a new role in the same organisation and I am much happier. People management is a very difficult job in today’s world, with so many people struggling with personal and MH issues and employers have to almost step in as default support systems for their employees.

@SilverGlitterBaubles you have summed exactly what I mean. I love supporting people, training them, helping them to be their best at work. But I’m not a social worker, nanny, therapist etc. and I am just done with having to cover people who don’t pull their weight.