Advice needed, thrown a curveball at work

[constantlylactating]

Hi all, I will try to be succinct but it's a long one.

I have been with my current employer a few years, overall very happy. At each annual review we have discussed progression for me (currently manage a small team).

Back in January I was told there would be a new position created between my manager and I. JD showed a big crossover with my role, but a good few things beyond my experience too. My initial thoughts were that it wasn't the right move for me.

My manager very strongly encouraged me to apply, asking me several times if I had spoken to the (external) recruiter.

Eventually I decided to apply, partly because I had mentioned progression for several years at this point, I figured I probably should just apply.

My experience with the recruiter was awful. He ignored me for a week, gave me 1 hour's notice for a teams call, and then was so horrifically rude. He asked me why I was bothering to apply, he had several applicants already that were more qualified than me etc. Picked apart my cv, and told me to 'take a long hard look at myself' before applying.

I asked to speak to my manager for clarification on a couple of points (recruiter said it was fully office based, i am hybrid) and the answer was 'yes i wanted him to be the one to tell you, not me'.

I decided just to send in my application, at this point I just thought i may as well. I didn't get the job (haha!) And I asked my manager for clarity on how my role would change, since there was so much crossover with this new role. I was assured (in writing) that my job, role and responsibilities would not change, I was just getting a new line manager.

Cut to now, new manager has been in place since June. We get on well, they have been a good manager so far and have lots of exciting new ideas for the team.

Over the last 3 months though my job has absolutely changed, I have lost a few 'important' responsibilities, such as budget management and planning.

Today I am told that the person I manage will now be moved under the new manager 'for ease'. Apparently it is no reflection on me or my work. I am really sad/angry/frustrated and can't help feeling that this is all some convoluted demotion.

Does anyone have any advice for me for next steps, or been through anything similar?

Speak to HR next and explain all of the above. I wouldnt be happy with this at all. Are you in a union?

Thank you. We are a small organisation with no dedicated HR so I will speak to the relevant person tomorrow but I don't hold out much hope.

Unfortunately, I would start looking for a new job. This will likely not end well. Either you will get more and more frustrated, or they will manage you out.

Speaking to HR is absolutely pointless - they are there to protect the business. It does seem like you are being pushed out and the question is why. There is also some very poor behaviour from your original manager and the recruiter.
it sounds like if you were to leave you would have a very good case for constructive dismissal. Document everything including all the tasks that were passed to the new manager.
I do feel the easiest and stress free options is either to embrace your revised role or find a new job.

Thank you, I do feel I am being managed out, however I have always had fantastic reviews/appraisals etc, plenty of lovely feedback from colleagues and my new manager has repeatedly given me great feedback.

However, I am the only member of staff working from home. I do wonder if this has anything to do with it. Rather than change my contract to say office based, they do this?

When I started my contract stated working from home, as my job is quite niche, they needed to widen the pool of applicants. Now however there does seem more pressure on being present in the office.