Feeling Stuck After Rebranding: How Can I Address My Demotion and Promotion Promise?

Before joining my current company, my designation was Senior Executive. I joined the current company in 2012, holding 5 years and 8 months of experience.

Organizational Rebranding and Criteria

This year, there was an organizational rebranding with specific criteria, especially for those in Software/Sr. Software and Executive/Senior Executive levels with more than 3 years of experience and having completed the last two appraisals. Those meeting the criteria would move from Software to Senior Software and from Executive to Senior Executive. Many people, including myself, who joined in the last two years with the same experience and designation, saw all our designations move down by one level.

Promotion Promise and HR Consultation

In my case, my supervisor promised me a promotion to Assistant Manager, even though my designation would still be Senior Executive after the promotion. I raised this issue with the HR generalist, who consulted with top management and informed me that the criteria could not be relaxed for recently joined laterals.

Seeking Advice

Can someone suggest the best way to address and resolve this situation? This is crucial for my career, especially as I will be completing 7 years next month.

Thanks,

Karthi

You have not made it clear if there was a restructuring in the entire organization or if it happened only in your case. If this happened for all, then this type of restructuring is common in a growing organization. All that should matter to you is that your seniority is protected, your job, and your actual role in your work is not downgraded.

Designation Importance

The "Designation" can vary from one organization to another. It really does not matter whether you put the prefix "Senior" or not. All that matters is the actual role in the project rather than a fancy designation.

Thanks,
Praveen.

As Praveen has stated, organizations restructure for various reasons. For example, some organizations reorganize when the leadership changes. This occurred three times in a university setting. Initially, there were 13 departments, some of which were merged to form three Faculties when the institution achieved university status, and the Principal assumed the role of Vice Chancellor (VC). Subsequently, some Heads of Departments felt demoted and chose to leave their positions. After a few years, when a new VC was appointed, she dissolved the Faculties and established eight Departments. Additionally, new titles were assigned to the Faculty Deans and Vice Deans, which were perceived as downgrades by some individuals.

Based on your message, it seems that you have been a part of this organization for almost 18 months and that the restructuring has impacted everyone, not just you.

Kind regards,
[Your Name]