Downgraded at work and career advice please

[MummybasedUK]

Hello,

Work for public sector and recently been downgraded which came out of the blue.

Management advising it’s not me it’s a “business need” yet I’m the only one they have advised that their grade does not exist anymore in this proposed restructure! Teams will merge etc and there will be synergies but only me facing grade disappearing!

Got union involved add after weeks of negotiation work now back tracked saying I can stay at current grade BUT it will be a lot more demanding!… maybe my face does not fit anymore!

I’m not under any PIP nor have I had any warnings etc so this has come out of the blue. Been off with work related stress.

Options proposed to me are:

1. If I choose to stay at current grade then I’ve been advised current role will be more demanding! They did not say in what way but clearly they don’t want this option. Advised my JD has been to evaluation and it’s come out 1 to 2 grades lower!
2. accept proposed downgrade at lower level (looks like similar role to the one I’m on but they’ve removed the word “leading” etc however it’s similar projects/duties and providing support for more teams than I do now.
3. take early leavers (redundancy)

I’m mid 50’s and been with this employer 6 years (midlands). Union think it’s appalling and have advised work this too. I think I need to get out as they are giving me a clear message by their attempt at an unfair downgrade?

I’ve asked for voluntary leavers figures and won’t be great as not been there years but I do have ISA’s and good savings so can retire early or look for something in the future.

Any advice from HR professionals as I’m finding it very stressful, humiliating and it’s effected my confidence.

Thanks

I would take option 1. It will infuriate them to begin with and if they want to get rid of you on the basis of performance it will be a lot harder for them. Might as well get as much salary out of them as you can. If they go down performance management just resign at the last possible minute

I wouldn’t be in a hurry to leave with the job market the way it is and sadly, ageism is real out there too. I’d be hanging in there.

Thanks for getting back to me on this and agree think job market is brutal atm

Good idea - just not sure if I can cope with stress of them putting me on a PIP etc 🥴

When colleagues roles where downgraded they were on pay protection at the higher level salary for a year, have you been offered that?

Make sure it is redundancy if 3. As you will get your pension without reduction if 55 or older.

It sounds as if your aim here needs to be to maximise the money you get from them - either through the number of further months worked or through getting a higher settlement.

So it sounds like option 1.

I don’t think they can just downgrade your role - hopefully the union advised here.

If it goes to PIP it will be at least three months’ extra money. But if you’ve been operating at the higher band how will they put you on pip for the lower band? May be hard for them.

If you're 55+, maybe look at leaving as they'll have to pay the rest of your pension in one go

Just keep following Union advice and get them to support you whenever you need it.
Stuck with option 1 but get greater clarification on what they are proposing. This helps both you and them understand what the changes might be.
Ensure they aren't expecting you to work at a higher level but on effectively a lower salary.
It maybe that the Union will have to negotiate a settlement for you as the company will make your life so difficult you have to leave.

contract states this council don’t offer a pay protection policy so union advised they don’t need to match salary. Unusual I know x

Thanks for getting back to me on this. It’s a toxic environment and I’ve been doing role a few years but management advising it’s more briefing based now etc. think they trying to manage me out and don’t know what I’ve done wrong! It’s only me been downgraded so not even proportionate!

Do you get on well with your colleagues and mostly enjoy your job? If so, definitely 1.

Make reasonable demands for any training you might need, including qualifications your company can finance, then after 6 months redo your Cv and apply for something better.

Don't just leave.

This happened to me earlier this year. Public sector. Several managers at my level, reduced down to fewer posts. We had to be interviewed and I wasn't one of the successful ones.

I was offered a management job one level down, with protected salary for a year. I didn't have any choice but to take it, as I was told I wouldn't get redundancy pay if I refused a job offer. However one of my colleagues in the same situation did get redundancy, they had different rules for different people!

Looking back I should have fought for redundancy and taken it, then looked for a PT job. I'm now 60 and really dislike my new job.

If you can afford it, and if they offer it, go for redundancy then find another job. I know that's easier said than done but it sounds as though you'll be doing the same level of work for less money.

I think so as don’t think I can face future stress. When we were due to restructure a few months ago the messages weren’t supportive or reassuring. I was advised we would be facing a restructure and things could be very difficult and I just ignored attitude and responded positively!. Don’t think my face fits and they’ve intentionally tried to make me feel very uncomfortable for around 12 months in the hope I would leave. I’m not on any PIP etc and been there 6 years. It’s soul destroying so I’ve asked for my VLS and think will need to go. I just need union to work out how much notice I should get from them on VLS. Contract states 2 months if a termination but I’m not getting terminated so was going to try and negotiate 3 months notice? Thanks all

I’m sorry this is happening OP, sounds very stressful.

I would advise that you can’t yet make any informed decisions as they haven’t provided all the information you need. For option 1 I would want to understand how the role was more demanding, what is changing? 2. You obviously need to know the salary and other role specific, what is changing beyond removing the word ‘leading’ and for 3 the package and terms. They might be trying to rush you into a decision but do take your time and ensure they provide all the information that you need.

The job market is tough at the moment and I would echo the PPs who suggest maximising your financial reward in this scenario.

No pay protection as looked at contract. Unusual for a local council I know!

I would fight that from a legal perspective

As any change of contract including pay they need to give adequate notice of change of terms

I’m so sorry this is terrible. I was also leaning towards option 1. But this made me pause Been off with work related stress.

Would you be able to cope with option 1. You don’t want to tank your mental health. But I appreciate all options are going to cause stress.

pay not protected checked my contract and unusual for a council I know!

Thank you job was becoming miserable from micro-managing manager and I was given work which I thought well below my grade such as lot of admin such as booking meeting rooms, typing minutes for every meeting etc and middle mgmt. I’m happy to do this but feel it was a tactic to make me fed up!

Thank you and union involved. Work now backtracked but made it clear my current role would be “lot more demanding” think I’ll ask for clarification what more demanding means. It’s a shambles and I’m thinking to take VLS as I’ve lost a close family member so have some inheritance and I’m thinking life too short. I’m gobsmacked this is happening in public sector as their values are caring, trustworthy etc!

If you are over 55 you can ask for voluntary redundancy and have your pension made up? Is that an option

Only if it's "redundancy"

Can I ask have you only been off for stress recently due to this. How long were you off for.

it does feel like this is related to that, the fact they are downgrading rhe role and saying it is a lot more stressful basically

Find out about your pension situation if you do consider accepting the lower grade position. Depending on your pension plan you could be much worse off.

Would you be happy with a more demanding role? Sounds like you're capable and could do a harder role?