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've not RTWT

have you had sight of the JD evaluation report ? can you get a JEGS for your role yourself (job evaluation and grading support - public sector process)

It sounds like you want a more demanding role?

Tbh, with this extra info it doesn’t sound like a face fitting scenario - it sounds like they’ve realised you’ve been doing primarily an admin job and working well below the grade you’re paid at. They’re now looking to align that by either giving you the more challenging work you’ve been thinking you need/deserve, or letting you carry on as you are but on less pay (which you recognise would be more reflective of what you’ve been doing).

The job I’ve been doing went to job evaluation and was approved at the grade it’s at. Who’s fault is that if they have not been giving me “more challenging work” and what I would be used too! I always ask for more work when required and volunteer to lead on everything!

Was the work related stress to do with this situation? If not, are work just letting you know that the new role will be potentially stressful so you're aware of that?

Just find my manager hostile and like he doesn’t want me there anymore x

Not seen this and good point.

It was work related stress due to been downgraded out of the blue and felt like I was doing a FT job in PT hours working weekends etc with very little support and no other staff to delegate too. Work advised if I stay in current role it will become a lot more demanding and said that throughout - almost as if they putting me off it!

Sounds like constructive dismissal. Have you got it in writing that they want to increase your duties on the current grade?
Doesnt sound legal, id counter check with ACAS they can tell you your legal stand on the phone.
Make sure you get everything in writing and dont go to meetings without your union rep.

Errrrr, yes, she said that as option 3...