Anonymous
Post 08/07/2025 22:11     Subject: Severance vs Demotion: pls advise
Anonymous wrote:My company just announced a 20% RIF — my specific group which is 10% of the company, has seen 0 layoffs. HOWEVER….I am the only employee in this section that is being asked to either: (1) take a severance that converts years of employment into weeks (2 weeks per year); or (2) a demotion to lower title, 10% lower salary, same job functions/responsibilities, and I can “post” for the role I was just demoted from once it is listed. I come out even by staying in the lower role for 3 months, assuming a job search takes longer than 3 mos.


Yes, I’m working with an employment attny. But has anyone seen this before? What is my best career recourse? I’m not asking best financial outcome —- for my career, do I take a title decrease that I can likely disguise while I network and look for a new job on company dime? Current company colleagues will figure out what happened - most allies, a couple asstwats that made this so….and to whom I want to give none of my energy, which is proving useless so far. What is the mental load I put on myself while doing that rather than just making a clean break assuming I can support that for a year or so beyond the severance?

Thanks…..


I have seen demotions for those who aren’t doing good work/ not doing their entire work but they kept their same salary. One had half of their work (and that part of their title) given to someone else and another kept title but lost all managerial duties. Honestly they both deserved it but they both kept their titles (minus one who had part removed) and the same salary.

It infuriated people they received the same salary for a lot less work. It made the better people look elsewhere.

If they are offering you a demolition and saying you can apply for the higher role they are basically telling you they don’t see you at the higher level for whatever reason.

I would try and negotiate the demotion- can you keep the same title until they fill that role? That way you can apply for roles but keep the title in your resume while you apply? I would personally take the demotion and apply elsewhere. It is really tough out there and I know many people who took 9-12 months to get their next role.

Good luck
Anonymous
Post 08/07/2025 21:07     Subject: Severance vs Demotion: pls advise
Just don't get a full disajulation.
Anonymous
Post 08/07/2025 20:59     Subject: Severance vs Demotion: pls advise
Anonymous wrote:Yeah suck up with the lower title, a job search might take 6-8 months assume you are mid level (most of Urbandcmoms).


This. There are so many super optimistic people on DCUM saying quit your job and find a higher paying remote job! The reality is things are bad and getting worse and now we all know the jobs numbers and that in DC in a few months it will be much worse.

You’re a single mom and probably over 35. Don’t put yourself in a position where you are unemployed and looking for a job. That’s going to be really stressful.
Anonymous
Post 08/07/2025 20:26     Subject: Severance vs Demotion: pls advise
Yeah suck up with the lower title, a job search might take 6-8 months assume you are mid level (most of Urbandcmoms).
Anonymous
Post 08/07/2025 19:32     Subject: Severance vs Demotion: pls advise
Connect with Dan Goodman on LinkedIn. He can help you negotiate a better severance. Helped me triple my severance offer.
Anonymous
Post 08/07/2025 18:46     Subject: Severance vs Demotion: pls advise
I’m sorry you’re in this situation. It sounds like sticking it out until you find a new job is the best choice but only you know how that will affect you mentally. As a single person, I’d probably stay solely for the health insurance. It is so expensive!
Anonymous
Post 08/07/2025 18:34     Subject: Severance vs Demotion: pls advise
Health insurance?

Anonymous
Post 08/07/2025 18:07     Subject: Severance vs Demotion: pls advise
OP here - I lean towards sucking it up and having the company pay for the conferences and associated travel to get to places where I can network. That said, I *could* take the hit for a year.

Missing pieces of info:
- I’m a single mom and child support could change under a severance picture, so I can make things work for a while
- as to the only in my group: new boss doesn’t like that I steered towards certain “hard” decisions that he banked on taking the “easy” route, until he came on board and figured out the dumpster fire that is our particular market situation and why the “hards” made sense. He likes a certain personality type, which generally involves dim and carney sales.
Anonymous
Post 08/07/2025 08:20     Subject: Severance vs Demotion: pls advise
I’d take the demotion. This happened to me and I had to swallow my pride and be practical because my family needed the money. I’m glad I stayed because it took awhile to find another job. I disguised the demotion to my current employer as well. I’m making more money now with better people and I was so happy to resign. Unfortunately current company is also going through RIFs and I’ve survived them so far but agree, it’s tough out there.
Anonymous
Post 08/07/2025 08:15     Subject: Severance vs Demotion: pls advise
I think another important bit of info (if OP is honest) is that s/he is the only one in their group to get cut. Do you think they gave you the demotion in throwing you a bone because you are a very weak team member? You are singled out for a reason.
Anonymous
Post 08/07/2025 08:13     Subject: Severance vs Demotion: pls advise
it depends-- if you are financially independent, take the severance at your current level. if not and you dont have savings to tide you over for at least two years, take the demotion. i know someone who took the demotion, was let go after a year on an even smaller package. vicious times
Anonymous
Post 08/07/2025 07:42     Subject: Re:Severance vs Demotion: pls advise
You didn’t post the most important piece of information, which is whether you need your income. A second would be how long you can afford to go without an income.
Anonymous
Post 08/07/2025 07:34     Subject: Severance vs Demotion: pls advise
Either way, start looking for a new job right now. Once you find a new job, go to that job and leave this current one behind.
Anonymous
Post 08/07/2025 05:56     Subject: Severance vs Demotion: pls advise
It’s a dismal job market out there, so I would go into the decision making process assuming that it would take longer than 3 months to find another job. Personally, I would take the pay cut/demotion and focus all my time and energy into finding another job. I’ve known people this happened to in the past so you’re hardly unique. Good luck!
Anonymous
Post 08/07/2025 01:38     Subject: Severance vs Demotion: pls advise
My company just announced a 20% RIF — my specific group which is 10% of the company, has seen 0 layoffs. HOWEVER….I am the only employee in this section that is being asked to either: (1) take a severance that converts years of employment into weeks (2 weeks per year); or (2) a demotion to lower title, 10% lower salary, same job functions/responsibilities, and I can “post” for the role I was just demoted from once it is listed. I come out even by staying in the lower role for 3 months, assuming a job search takes longer than 3 mos.


Yes, I’m working with an employment attny. But has anyone seen this before? What is my best career recourse? I’m not asking best financial outcome —- for my career, do I take a title decrease that I can likely disguise while I network and look for a new job on company dime? Current company colleagues will figure out what happened - most allies, a couple asstwats that made this so….and to whom I want to give none of my energy, which is proving useless so far. What is the mental load I put on myself while doing that rather than just making a clean break assuming I can support that for a year or so beyond the severance?

Thanks…..