Demoted from Senior HR to Office Admin: How Should I Navigate This Unexpected Change?

Hi, myself Archana, with over 17 years of experience in HR as an HR Generalist. After the lockdown, I secured a job as Head - HRBP, overseeing all HR activities. Upon joining, my salary was 10 LPA. However, after six months, my boss suddenly resigned, resulting in a salary hike due to increased workload, which went up to 15 LPA.

Recently, the management hired a consultant who joined in January 2023. He started working on PMS. As creating letters was part of my profile, he worked on it with another team member, leaving me out. Furthermore, he hired an individual with 4-5 years of HR Generalist experience, designating him as AM - HR with a salary of 8 LPA. The new hire's communication skills, both written and verbal, were subpar, and his experience did not meet expectations.

The latest development is quite concerning. I received a letter this week from him, informing me of a role change to Manager - Office Administration. The new responsibilities include supervising office administration, procurement of supplies, compliance management, travel arrangements, event management, document record keeping, and any other assigned tasks. My revised salary stands at a Fixed CTC of Rs. 7,00,000/- per annum and a Variable of Rs. 1,00,000/- per annum, effective from 01-May-2023. My employment terms remain the same. I am expected to transition my HRBP responsibilities to Mr. ________ by the specified date.

Despite my senior HR role and experience, this change has come as a surprise. I seek guidance on how to proceed in this situation. Awaiting your response.

Regards, Archana

Hi, I can understand your pain. Your statement "Now my Management hired a consultant" reveals everything vividly. The consultant is just a puppet who dances as per your Management's wish. You joined for 10 lakhs CTC and within 6 months reached 15 lakhs CTC as your immediate superior resigned. Just to manage the show temporarily, you were given a huge hike and now your Management wants to reduce the cost, hence this move. This might be either due to your performance or the availability of manpower resources in the market to perform a similar role with less cost.

Options to Consider

Now you have three options:

1. Accept what is offered and continue.
2. If you are confident that you will get another job, submit your resignation and get relieved.
3. Just hold on, accept Management's decision. Look for a better offer. Once you find one, just move on.

The third option will be the wisest one. Fighting with Management will not produce any results, according to me. You may discuss with the Chief deciding Authority. But once Management goes to this extent, I don't think any miracle will happen.

This is not the end of your career. Just move on.

Dear Archana,

I empathize with you. The analysis of the case is as follows:

a) Taking quirky decisions appears to be a hallmark of your company. Your salary was increased by 50% within six months. Such a hefty hike is unheard of. However, it was a signal to you that if a quixotic decision by the top management favors you, then another quixotic decision could disfavor you as well.

b) When the consultant was brought on board, it was a second signal to you. By creating a position parallel to yours, the top leadership tested the waters.

c) Now the top leadership has taken the quirkiest decision to remove you from the HR duties and halve your salary. The ease with which it was increased by 50% is the same ease with which it is decreased by 50%. Is this not a ploy to make you quit? Is it a clear signal to you that you are persona non grata?

d) Suppose you dig your feet in and hold on to the new position, then what is the guarantee that further demotion will not happen? In your company, anything is possible. Therefore, whether to continue with the employment or exit is your call.

e) In an organization where whims and fancies rule the roost, I do not think that whimsicalness by the top management is restricted to you. A few other employees must have been victims of the capriciousness of the top management. Taking it as a clue, I wish you had separated from this organization in a timely manner.

General comments on your post: While raising a post on the public forum, I wish you had thought of your stature. I understand that when one receives a letter of demotion, the person gets mentally unbalanced. However, your post does not justify your seniority. It is written incoherently, and the transitional words or even sentences are missing. It appears that you did not allocate time to learn managerial or executive communication. Though the adage says that a single swallow does not make a summer, your post casts light on your personality. Whether it reflects your quality of work is a moot point. Therefore, take it as a lesson and find out where improvement is necessary. If you ignore feedback, then a few more jolts could be in store for you!

Thanks,

Dinesh Divekar

Hi Aarchana,

It is heartening to note that the management, which promoted you to a higher position within six months of your joining, must have had high expectations for you to deliver for them. Once the position was upgraded with a 50% hike in salary from Rs. 10 lacs PA to Rs. 15 lacs PA in the HR segment, and now demoted to Rs. 7 lacs PA with a variable Rs. 1 lac, it calls for introspection comparing your two previous positions in your present organization.

After studying the job description of the Manager - Office Administration, the package offered appears good. However, it is up to you to accept or reject the offer. I suggest that there may be performance issues not meeting the expectations of your company's management.

Regardless of the management's preferences towards an employee, reducing your salary to half is not acceptable. You need to thoroughly introspect on where things went wrong. My suggestion is to accept the present position and continue working. Be careful in showcasing your performance level. If the management is satisfied with your performance, they may reconsider your position.

All the best, and may God bless you.

With Regards,