Downsizing job/career - a loss of money, dignity, status?
Discussion
Click bait title? Maybe, maybe not.
I'm hoping to hear from others who have deliberately stepped down a few rungs of the job ladder, for whatever reason, and what their experience was.
I'm thinking about dropping down quite considerably for reasons of family, more time with young kids, more time for myself, and all that sort of stuff. I work away a few days a week, have done for years, and I'm tired of it now.
One of my biggest concerns isn't the potential £40-50k drop in salary, but the fact I'll be back down to being a manager at whatever company I move to. At present I'm a Director and I don't do much work as such, but I do a lot of thinking and future planning, networking, meeting people, which I very much enjoy. I've worked hard to get where I am, and now I pretty much do what I want day to day. That includes an epic after-work drinking culture in with the other higher ups and those from other businesses
My concern with dropping down to being a manager, is that I'll maybe end up in a position where I'm getting all the s
t of the day. Leaned on constantly to deliver more, by those above. All that sort of thing. But then again, maybe it'll be a walk in the park and less stress than now. Don't know.
Anyone else chosen to take their foot off the gas by quite a margin? Any thoughts welcome.
I'm hoping to hear from others who have deliberately stepped down a few rungs of the job ladder, for whatever reason, and what their experience was.
I'm thinking about dropping down quite considerably for reasons of family, more time with young kids, more time for myself, and all that sort of stuff. I work away a few days a week, have done for years, and I'm tired of it now.
One of my biggest concerns isn't the potential £40-50k drop in salary, but the fact I'll be back down to being a manager at whatever company I move to. At present I'm a Director and I don't do much work as such, but I do a lot of thinking and future planning, networking, meeting people, which I very much enjoy. I've worked hard to get where I am, and now I pretty much do what I want day to day. That includes an epic after-work drinking culture in with the other higher ups and those from other businesses
My concern with dropping down to being a manager, is that I'll maybe end up in a position where I'm getting all the s
t of the day. Leaned on constantly to deliver more, by those above. All that sort of thing. But then again, maybe it'll be a walk in the park and less stress than now. Don't know.Anyone else chosen to take their foot off the gas by quite a margin? Any thoughts welcome.
I’ll be interested to read this.
I’m going to have this forced upon me at some point. I’m 57, I’m an IT developer (currently write APIs) with just under four decades experience.
When I get made redundant - which WILL happen I’m very unlikely to be able to secure a role doing what I do because of my age, so I’m going to be looking at working in B&Q, Aldi or whatever. There will I guess be a loss of dignity and status - having a twenty something boss for example or being abused by customers who think because you’re stacking shelves that you’re “thick” (I experienced this very thing when I worked part time in Tesco while I was doing two degrees - proper scrotes assuming I was stupid).
I guess I’ll just take it on the chin.
I’m going to have this forced upon me at some point. I’m 57, I’m an IT developer (currently write APIs) with just under four decades experience.
When I get made redundant - which WILL happen I’m very unlikely to be able to secure a role doing what I do because of my age, so I’m going to be looking at working in B&Q, Aldi or whatever. There will I guess be a loss of dignity and status - having a twenty something boss for example or being abused by customers who think because you’re stacking shelves that you’re “thick” (I experienced this very thing when I worked part time in Tesco while I was doing two degrees - proper scrotes assuming I was stupid).
I guess I’ll just take it on the chin.
Not such a big drop but I took a step back last year as I had a baby coming. From a manager to supervisor. Managed to retain 96% of my salary so not a big drop. I can do the new job in my sleep. The hours suit me better, I get to see my son all morning every morning and it enables me and my wife to not rely on nursery to look after him.
I’ve also left behind the politics of my old job, I’ve achieved more of my old job now I avoid all the pointless meetings etc than I ever did before. As I’ve been the manager before I can choose the majority of what I do myself as my superiors trust me to get on with the job. I know a fair bit more about the business than my replacement and so he’s happy to let me get on with it and provide him with better support than he would otherwise get.
No stress, no thinking about work outside of work.
It may harm my career a bit in the long run I guess but at the moment I want to enjoy my son as so many dads miss out. It also makes me reluctant to go back to management as it seems like hassle for not much gain. I think though my appetite to climb the career ladder will return once life settles down.
I’ve also left behind the politics of my old job, I’ve achieved more of my old job now I avoid all the pointless meetings etc than I ever did before. As I’ve been the manager before I can choose the majority of what I do myself as my superiors trust me to get on with the job. I know a fair bit more about the business than my replacement and so he’s happy to let me get on with it and provide him with better support than he would otherwise get.
No stress, no thinking about work outside of work.
It may harm my career a bit in the long run I guess but at the moment I want to enjoy my son as so many dads miss out. It also makes me reluctant to go back to management as it seems like hassle for not much gain. I think though my appetite to climb the career ladder will return once life settles down.
Management - no thanks!!
I was a fire alarm engineer for 12 years and recently moved into design, which I thought was a promotion and step up,
All that’s happened, because of the erosion of benifits over time, I now work more, have no freedom, have to go a office now and then and have to deal with far more ste than I used too.
And to top it off, I earn a bigger basic but now take home less money because I’ve lost my company car, don’t get overtime, don’t get commissions but might get a 10% bonus depending on performance
It’s not worth it, I am going back to being an engineer, it might be the bottom of the rung in terms of the company but i had a better life.
You’ll also find people lower down the chain are more friendly, other senior managers are inflated and think their status makes them a great person, when in reality they are boring people driving round the country to have boring meetings with other boring people
You need to work out what money you need to live a comfortable life and then work from there, if you’re earning £100k now but doing 60 hours a week I would rather earn £40k and work 37 hours a week and spend time will family, your kids are only young once and working away seems glamorous but it’s so not! Another generic chain hotel, another meal out, another pointless meeting
You’re a long time dead
I was a fire alarm engineer for 12 years and recently moved into design, which I thought was a promotion and step up,
All that’s happened, because of the erosion of benifits over time, I now work more, have no freedom, have to go a office now and then and have to deal with far more s
te than I used too.And to top it off, I earn a bigger basic but now take home less money because I’ve lost my company car, don’t get overtime, don’t get commissions but might get a 10% bonus depending on performance
It’s not worth it, I am going back to being an engineer, it might be the bottom of the rung in terms of the company but i had a better life.
You’ll also find people lower down the chain are more friendly, other senior managers are inflated and think their status makes them a great person, when in reality they are boring people driving round the country to have boring meetings with other boring people
You need to work out what money you need to live a comfortable life and then work from there, if you’re earning £100k now but doing 60 hours a week I would rather earn £40k and work 37 hours a week and spend time will family, your kids are only young once and working away seems glamorous but it’s so not! Another generic chain hotel, another meal out, another pointless meeting
You’re a long time dead
Edited by Quattr04. on Thursday 13th February 21:33
I get it
I am stepping back from my role which involves being the sole responsible person under the nuclear site licence when on shift and managing the operations team to a role in the projects department, resolving issues, wearing overalls, getting my hands dirty (or actually cleaner on the last job as it involved installing a bleach dosing system) and generally doing the job I did 20 years ago.
I am loving the role but its buoyant on my reputation which is partly based on the level I used to work at (and am still technically employed as). It will be harder and harder as people change in the management and operations roles and I have to release my authorisation levels as I am no longer carrying out the roles.
On the flipside I am due to get my Pension next month and have asked to reduce down to 3 days a week so I wont have any pay drop and for at least a couple of year it should be interesting.
but yes, I dont think I could work in the same place and be ignored or talked over by people I used to manage and ultimately command for very long. I have seen it happen to people who have left and come back as contractors.
I am stepping back from my role which involves being the sole responsible person under the nuclear site licence when on shift and managing the operations team to a role in the projects department, resolving issues, wearing overalls, getting my hands dirty (or actually cleaner on the last job as it involved installing a bleach dosing system) and generally doing the job I did 20 years ago.
I am loving the role but its buoyant on my reputation which is partly based on the level I used to work at (and am still technically employed as). It will be harder and harder as people change in the management and operations roles and I have to release my authorisation levels as I am no longer carrying out the roles.
On the flipside I am due to get my Pension next month and have asked to reduce down to 3 days a week so I wont have any pay drop and for at least a couple of year it should be interesting.
but yes, I dont think I could work in the same place and be ignored or talked over by people I used to manage and ultimately command for very long. I have seen it happen to people who have left and come back as contractors.
Can you do your current job in four working days instead, you say you don’t do much actual work?
That way it’s just a 20% haircut on salary.
Colleagues get used to not expecting you around on xday and if anything is urgent they will ring you and hey you don’t have to answer your mobile if it’s someone who you know always rings for just reassurance.
That way it’s just a 20% haircut on salary.
Colleagues get used to not expecting you around on xday and if anything is urgent they will ring you and hey you don’t have to answer your mobile if it’s someone who you know always rings for just reassurance.
If you can swallow pride then you'll be fine.
You'll get a new boss who may be younger and less experienced than you. That's the hard part, especially if they're a rubbish manager.
You'll end up constantly thinking of ways things could be run better and when your feedback and ideas and ignored, it might grate a little. But if you're laid back, you might be able to just let things pass and get on with work without thinking about what other people should be doing above you.
It sounds to me though like you won't like being told what to do after being used to doing what you want to do, when you want to.
As an alternative, can you go part time at your current job?
You'll get a new boss who may be younger and less experienced than you. That's the hard part, especially if they're a rubbish manager.
You'll end up constantly thinking of ways things could be run better and when your feedback and ideas and ignored, it might grate a little. But if you're laid back, you might be able to just let things pass and get on with work without thinking about what other people should be doing above you.
It sounds to me though like you won't like being told what to do after being used to doing what you want to do, when you want to.
As an alternative, can you go part time at your current job?
Technotronic said:
.....I work away a few days a week, have done for years, and I'm tired of it now.
One of my biggest concerns isn't the potential £40-50k drop in salary, but the fact I'll be back down to being a manager at whatever company I move to. At present I'm a Director and I don't do much work as such, but I do a lot of thinking and future planning, networking, meeting people, which I very much enjoy. I've worked hard to get where I am, and now I pretty much do what I want day to day. That includes an epic after-work drinking culture in with the other higher ups and those from other businesses
What kind of business is it? Ours used to be as you describe, but it stopped dead with Covid and never really got going again.One of my biggest concerns isn't the potential £40-50k drop in salary, but the fact I'll be back down to being a manager at whatever company I move to. At present I'm a Director and I don't do much work as such, but I do a lot of thinking and future planning, networking, meeting people, which I very much enjoy. I've worked hard to get where I am, and now I pretty much do what I want day to day. That includes an epic after-work drinking culture in with the other higher ups and those from other businesses
I've recently retired, but I stayed longer than I needed to precisely because I was able to pretty much do whatever I wanted to all day, as long as I was reasonably contactable.
I wouldn't have voluntaritly gone back to the days of having someone breathing down my neck.
Is your partner OK with the loss of status & money?
Due COVID I went from "international aviation executive" to "trolley collector" and was absolutely fine with it. With the odd little internal smile when management told me I could well be supervisor material. Zero stress, got me fit, liked talking to the public. Made me decide that 'barista retirement' was a good idea. However, my spouse was not at all keen on the loss of spending power and status, and it was one of the factors of why she called quits.
Ironically, because of the divorce, I did have to go back to being an international aviation executive...
Due COVID I went from "international aviation executive" to "trolley collector" and was absolutely fine with it. With the odd little internal smile when management told me I could well be supervisor material. Zero stress, got me fit, liked talking to the public. Made me decide that 'barista retirement' was a good idea. However, my spouse was not at all keen on the loss of spending power and status, and it was one of the factors of why she called quits.
Ironically, because of the divorce, I did have to go back to being an international aviation executive...
Dog Star said:
I’ll be interested to read this.
I’m going to have this forced upon me at some point. I’m 57, I’m an IT developer (currently write APIs) with just under four decades experience.
When I get made redundant - which WILL happen I’m very unlikely to be able to secure a role doing what I do because of my age
In IT?! I think you're being way too tough on yourself! Even if you went contracting outside IR35 for a bit I'd expect you to make decent money.I’m going to have this forced upon me at some point. I’m 57, I’m an IT developer (currently write APIs) with just under four decades experience.
When I get made redundant - which WILL happen I’m very unlikely to be able to secure a role doing what I do because of my age
I tried to take a step back from Director level a few years before Covid struck and found it hard to get a job "lower down the ladder"..
Most people I spoke to couldn't understand it, and everyone that would be my boss thought I would just be trouble, I would 'know better', get bored and leave very quickly.
Attitude/perceptions may have changed now.
I ended up taking 6 months off completely to do a few fun things, then started again with a fresh outlook... I'm looking at doing the same soon... it's just not worth it anymore.. I'm 47 and there is so much more to life than a "BIG JOB"
Most people I spoke to couldn't understand it, and everyone that would be my boss thought I would just be trouble, I would 'know better', get bored and leave very quickly.
Attitude/perceptions may have changed now.
I ended up taking 6 months off completely to do a few fun things, then started again with a fresh outlook... I'm looking at doing the same soon... it's just not worth it anymore.. I'm 47 and there is so much more to life than a "BIG JOB"
Cheese on Toast with Worcestershire Sauce said:
£50k drop and you're at manager level? Which industry is this?
I would rather not say for privacy, but it sort of goes: Managers £50-60k
Department Directors £100-110k
Exec Directors (A couple of Department Directors under them) £150-160k
CEO £200k+
A business with around 300 people in it.
I would be dropping from Director at about £110k to a manager at £60k, but for a different organisation, in a different part of the country, where my home is. Not working away anymore.
Evanivitch said:
In IT?! I think you're being way too tough on yourself! Even if you went contracting outside IR35 for a bit I'd expect you to make decent money.
I contracted for 21 years and I really don’t want to have to go back to that - especially the working away parts. That was until 2012 when I went perm and I’ve been WFH for the last 7. One thing I’ve noticed is that the commutable radius from where I live has shrunk drastically too, due to congestion. Giantt said:
A loss of dignity?
If you are purely defined by your job, stepping down you will be disappointed,i however it's only a job, even at 'director' level ,see how easily you are replaced.
Epic after work drinking culture,is it really that epic?
The dignity and status bit was a joke, but my feelings are this: I've worked hard over 20 years, and taken a few risks, to end up in a decent position with a job that I am happy with. When people ask me what I do for work, I think the fact that I have job satisfaction comes across.If you are purely defined by your job, stepping down you will be disappointed,i however it's only a job, even at 'director' level ,see how easily you are replaced.
Epic after work drinking culture,is it really that epic?
It is well studied and recognised that job titles and job status gives a significant level of personal satisfaction and well being, over and above the salary itself.
What will it feel like to lose a lot of that? Don't know!
Technotronic said:
The dignity and status bit was a joke, but my feelings are this: I've worked hard over 20 years, and taken a few risks, to end up in a decent position with a job that I am happy with. When people ask me what I do for work, I think the fact that I have job satisfaction comes across.
It is well studied and recognised that job titles and job status gives a significant level of personal satisfaction and well being, over and above the salary itself.
What will it feel like to lose a lot of that? Don't know!
I suspect the job title bit was from people who view titles as important. Personally I think it’s nonsense. When I had my own business I sold my half to my business partner, took a 50% pay cut and work as a school caretaker. I couldn’t care less about job title or status, I’m happier than I’ve ever been and when I go to the docs for my annual MOT my numbers are always lower than the previous year’s. The job’s an absolute doddle, I finish at 3:00 each day and don’t have to think about work until I’m back in the morning and I have no desire whatsoever to go up a single rung of the ladder. I genuinely can’t envisage a situation where I’d want to go back to where I was a decade ago.It is well studied and recognised that job titles and job status gives a significant level of personal satisfaction and well being, over and above the salary itself.
What will it feel like to lose a lot of that? Don't know!
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