Employee Demotions Still Occur

How common are demotions at work? According to new research from staffing firm OfficeTeam, nearly half of HR managers (46%) have seen someone at their company moved down a rung on the career ladder.

 

A separate survey found that more than one in 10 workers (14%) have been asked to take on a lower role. In terms of gender, 19% of male professionals were demoted versus 7% of women. Employees ages 18 to 34 (22%) were downgraded positions more often than those ages 35 to 54 (10%) and 55 or older (3%).

 

Professionals were most commonly demoted for poor performance (39%) or not succeeding in a new job after being promoted (38%). Sixteen percent were demoted due to organizational restructuring or their position being eliminated.

 

While half of professionals who were downgraded positions tried to handle the news as gracefully as possible, 52% quit, and 47% got upset and lost interest in their jobs. Male employees (55%) and those ages 18 to 34 (64%) most often resigned in response to being demoted.