How to Handle a Job Demotion
Demotions, regardless of the reason, are never good news. Some demotions are strictly business decisions and aren't reflective of your ability to do a job, while other demotions result from poor performance or behavior. To deal with a demotion effectively, you need to understand the cause of the demotion, how you can prevent one from occurring in the future, and the implications of the demotion on your salary and benefits.
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Instructions
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Accept the demotion professionally. When receiving word of a demotion, especially one that you don't feel is justified, it's natural to feel emotional. When you speak to your manager, or whoever explains the demotion, accept your new position professionally and calmly. Keep a professional relationship with your employer at all times.
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Ask why you were demoted. If you were given a vague reason, ask specific questions, such as "Did my sales numbers contribute to the demotion" or "You said my attitude was a problem. In what ways was my attitude problematic?"
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Argue facts that your employer makes in favor your demotion, if you believe those facts are inaccurate. Remain professional and calm. Explain why you believe the reasons for your demotion are not legitimate and give examples to support your side of the story.
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Ask for help improving. If your demotion was the result of poor performance, behavior or other reasons not related to business decisions, ask your manager or human resources for help so that you can turn your performance around. Doing so increases your chances of getting promoted to your old position.
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Ask about your new salary and benefits. Many companies have demotion policies that state when an employee is demoted, his salary should be no less than the maximum salary for the position he's demoted to. If your company does not have a similar policy, make sure your salary is not drastically lower than the maximum for your new position. If it is, ask for a higher salary or talk to human resources.
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