Handling a Demotion Part 2

What next?

After recovering from the shock of your demotion, you need to consider the ramifications of the new, lower position before accepting it. If you do decide to stay and accept the demotion, you should consider your future options.{{more}}

•  If you quit. If you decide to turn down the company’s offer of demotion and quit instead, do so quickly and professionally. Follow the rule of offering at least two week’s notice, in writing. While you wait for your departure date, continue to be cordial even with those you suspect may have been involved in the demotion. Whatever you do, do not burn your bridges. Some day you will get the whole story and you might be surprised at who the real players were in your situation.

•  If you stay. If you do stay, please have a good game plan – the company has one, so make sure you do, too. Do ask for a transfer to another department so you can begin to refocus your energy and your talents. If a transfer is out of the question, get ready for some very unpleasant days and begin to plan your exit strategy, as it will eventually be needed because few who are demoted and decide to stay are allowed to succeed. Realize, too, that future job searches may be negatively impacted if you have to explain the demotion.

•  Take them to the Labour Department. Can you sue? Before you take the company to the Labour Department or court, make sure you know the true reason – and not just the superficial excuse – you are being demoted. If the company demoted you for lack of performance, yet you have proof that you have done exceptional work, you might have a good legal case. However, before you take any legal action, take the time to do your homework and know that such battles can get ugly and expensive. Companies will go to great lengths to justify and prove their decision before the Labour Commissioner or in court.

•  The media. If your demotion is newsworthy, get help preparing a statement to explain what happened, but do not give too much detail until you know what is happening and what you are going to do. Do not try to handle this type of situation on your own as the media’s job is to find a juicy story, even if it means portraying you as an emotional basket case or an irate lunatic – in fact, such angles make hot news. So, think twice about every word and every expression of your body language. Don’t agree to interviews until you are ready, and be nice to the media while they press you. You might need them on your side.

Karen Hinds President/CEO –
Workplace Success Group,
Toll Free: 1-877-902-2775;
Tel: 1-203-757-4103
Karen@WorkplaceSuccess.com
www.WorkplaceSuccess.com
Creator of The Workplace Success Program (TM)