Asking for a promotion or a demotion

9 Comments

1. AnonymousAugust 18,2024 at 1:40AM UTC

   I have been there. I was there for two years at my last job, but they wouldn't give me the title of "manager" because they thought it would "go to my head." They even acknowledged that they knew I was the one running the department. They just weren't "ready" to make someone a manager. Their hand was forced, however, and during COVID, I had to take extended WFH quarantine due to health issues, so they made a guy who had been there less than a year (I had been there six), who I had trained and promoted him to manager. They only made it right when they discovered that I was interviewing elsewhere.

   What means more to you, less stress or the ability to move up in the organization? Working through the decision on paper with the pros and cons of each possible outcome will help you clarify it. If you seriously consider the demotion to level C, figure your budget into it.

2. AnonymousAugust 18,2024 at 2:18AM UTC

   OP here. Thanks for your thoughts on this. I've even been receiving more emails over the weekend (and I don't respond because I'm not at the level of the managers emailing me who are expected to work weekends). I think they're getting to the point where they want to see what they can get away with with me. I have started looking around for another role, but nothing matches the pay (even if I took a demotion). I once asked for support and was told they can't afford to hire someone else. Frankly, I think they also know that would call for raising my pay if I was asked to manage someone. At this point, I feel like I could handle the extra duties if I were compensated for it. The extra pay would certainly motivate me. Without it, though, I can't see putting myself through this for another year.

3. AnonymousAugust 18,2024 at 1:16PM UTC

   You're very welcome. In my case, their biggest issue was not wanting to lose me at the IC level, so almost completely losing me forced their hand. When they proposed promoting me, it took me a week to accept because I was waiting on an offer from another company. The other place was dragging its feet enough to make me discouraged, so I withdrew from consideration and took the promotion. A year later, after numerous slaps on the hand for "acting like a manager" (my job title), I decided to retire since I was eligible for my SSA retirement benefits. I gave them three months' notice and proposed a lateral move to a "specialist" role where I could train my replacement. Therefore, I understand you not wanting to deal with this for another year. I hate it when they string you along with just enough kudos and promises to keep you hanging on.

4. SarahAugust 18,2024 at 3:49PM UTC

   I've been here, too. It's terrible how much income and retirement savings good workers lose over situations like this. Shame on greedy employers.

5. AnonymousAugust 19,2024 at 3:02AM UTC

   In my case, I got a raise when I retired (I was working for a non-profit and had crossed the maximum threshold for SSA contribution for more than 15 years while working for a for-profit in a previous career). You are correct in many cases, however. I applied for Medicare at 65 but did not qualify for full benefits until I was 66 and 3 months. I retired barely shy of 67, so I still got my full benefit. I wasn't planning to hold on until I was 70.

6. AnonymousAugust 18,2024 at 2:58PM UTC

   This is how companies get you to do the extra work for no additional pay. Smart business plan, right? They will always give you an excuse as to why they cannot promote you. If it's not worth the stress and headache, ask for the demotion. When they ask why, tell them, you want to work a job that you get paid fairly for what you do.

7. GirlBossanova934974August 19,2024 at 12:39PM UTC

   As a business owner myself, I would be focusing on the business results rather than "the extra tasks" you have been asked to take on. What is the financial value of resolving those budget and contract issues that you are working on? When contract X issues were resolved, what was the size of the contract that was taken on or kept? IF I as business owner had to HIRE ANOTHER PERSON to take on these extra tasks, what would it cost me? BY YOU taking on these extra tasks, how much is the business saving in salary costs? You need to put this on the table during your annual review.

8. AnonymousAugust 19,2024 at 5:32PM UTC

   I guess the burning question is what is your real issue here? Is it more work with more strategic content that could be great for your career (if you view it that way) and not getting a promotion or more money? Or is it that you prefer to have a low stress role and stay in that function as is and not be able to potentially move up? IMHO decide what you really want. Sure here you are ranting (a bit) and the only one who can truly decide what you want is you. So once you do approach the conversation with a list of the items added to your current level role and show the progress you have made to do the greater things given you and just ask for a promotion or a short path to one if they say no. Then if you lock in on that in the conversation say 60 days to rereview after that conversation and they don't promote you, it's time to leave that company.

   Alternatively, should you decide you just don't want to do anything more that what is in your job description, tell them you are going to start saying no because you prefer to focus your career on the things you signed up for when you hired into that role.

   If it were me and I was early or mid career I would choose the path to possible promotion because the fuel you are being given for a bigger part in things is going to your own fire, you just have to see it that way.

9. AnonymousAugust 20,2024 at 12:57PM UTC

   Could you consider a lateral move to a different department? Could be a way to change up your boss and reduce your workload without reducing your salary