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OT: Took a voluntary demotion today

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Posted 9/30/2013 11:55 PM (GMT 0)
In an effort to cut some of the major amount of stress from my life, I decided to step down from a supervisor's role at my employer and return to worker bee status. It'll be a small pay cut, but not one that is unbearable. We got a new director about 3 years ago, and he and I have clashed from day 1. I've tried to be patient and work with this man, but he's like no other boss I've ever worked for. He flies into uncontrollable rages and curses you out for very minor issues. He's said the "F" word to me, more times than I can count.He's Asian, and alot with it comes that mentality that nothing is ever good enough, and every day you must prove yourself...yada yada yada. He puts unbeleivable demands on his employees.

It was apparent that things were not going to get any better, and leaving the company with only 7 years until retirement was not an option. So, after counsel with the wife and getting the go ahead, I turned in my letter of voluntary demotion, and I will be going back to my previous position in about a month. I did agree to stay on a little longer to help show the person replacing me the ropes.

Especially someone with PCa doesn't need additional stressors in their lives.
Posted 10/1/2013 12:12 AM (GMT 0)
Good for you Powellst! I did something similar in February of this year. I stepped down from a management roll, my mental health was more important and it was GFMPH!!!! Stress is a killer, it can cause so many other issues.

To thine own self be true!

Bill from Florida cool
Posted 10/1/2013 12:18 AM (GMT 0)
Good for you! Not many put mental and physical health over status and money.
Posted 10/1/2013 1:11 AM (GMT 0)
Good move, powellst. I'm going through a very similar career transition for very similar reasons. The transition brings with it its own set of stressors, including some uncertainty about my future role, but the previous situation was over the top stressful and I had to do something.

PCa or not, life is too short for that kind of stress. Good luck with your career transition. I hope it brings you peace.
Posted 10/1/2013 1:19 AM (GMT 0)
Way to go. I hope you will be in the long run. Hopefully you will have a good work life balance and not have to deal with your current boss.
Posted 10/1/2013 1:27 AM (GMT 0)
Live to work or work to live? You have made a very good decision. Probably in about 7&1/2 months the current director will be gone and management will again be an option as others know your long term worth to the organization.
Posted 10/1/2013 1:31 AM (GMT 0)
Sounds like a very sensible and wise move on your part. Sometimes being in charge isn't all it's cracked up to be. More important to happily make it to your retirement time with the company. I believe in the circle theory with bad people. Once you are out of the grasp of this A.H. superior, he may do his own self in over time, seen that happen many a time in my career. If you are patient enough, the bad apples usually weed themselves up.

Good for you

David
Posted 10/1/2013 1:56 AM (GMT 0)
Hey Powelist let me also weigh in and give kudos to you for making that move. Couple of the other guys have already stated some of my thoughts, like az sayin "Not many put mental and physical health over status and money", and JNF putting in "Live to work or work to live?"

The only other thing I would add is that your manager's actions are not only unacceptable, but also not legal from a harassment point of view. . . . although I'm guessing at this point rather than add the stress of going after that you're content with what you've chosen.

Continue best to you my friend!
Posted 10/1/2013 2:01 AM (GMT 0)
Totally agree with you powellst. Recently stepped down from a leadership position myself, and the relief is amazing, plus I'm back to doing more of what I always loved to do most.

Best wishes on your less stressful position!
Posted 10/1/2013 10:50 AM (GMT 0)
Good for you Powellst, it is all about life balance. Glad you were able to make the choice.
Wishing you well.
Susan
x
Posted 10/1/2013 11:05 AM (GMT 0)
Worse boss I ever had reinvented the word Intimidator. Wish I had gone over her head... but odds are it wouldn't have helped. She worked her way up and did do a lot of good things.

I too stepped down to get out of her way.... She finally got fired a few years later when it became evident she had a large turnover of employees.
Posted 10/1/2013 11:06 AM (GMT 0)
powellst - Congratulations! To thine own self be true. Congrats to others who have had the integrity to make life changes for their own health.

Some people think being a manager is great because you're "the boss". What they don't realize is that you often feel less in control than ever, and accountable for everything. It can be a seriously stressful position.

It takes a certain courage to do that, since our culture has been all about ladder-climbing, achievement for achievement's sake, and materialism.

They weren't paying you enough for the headaches of management.

I have these thoughts often, though I rather enjoy the role I have right now. The company is doing some stupid things, but I'm trying to keep my little corner of the universe sunny.
Posted 10/1/2013 11:06 AM (GMT 0)
Don't blame you at all. Physical and mental health are more important. I would do the same. I have had bosses like that myself. A couple of years ago, after working for more than 30 years I finally got the dream job at a dream salary. Well, the dream was a nightmare. Now I am back at my old job. Its a job and the salary is nothing to sneeze at but I am pretty much satisfied with stress levels greatly reduced.
Posted 10/1/2013 12:29 PM (GMT 0)
good for you, when you think the hours you've spent thinking of work when you're not there you've are actually making more per hour. I think stress is bad for health and you're whole being.
best of luck carl
Posted 10/1/2013 1:35 PM (GMT 0)
Good for you.

Sounds like the new director was from the management school of Sea Gull managers (also applies to visits from headquarters).

They swoop in, crap all over the workplace, but when they finally leave, the career employees clean up the place and things get back to normal.

Consider the small pay cut the best money you ever spent, and tax free.

LupronJim
Posted 10/1/2013 1:55 PM (GMT 0)
Sounds like a smart move to reduce stress. Too many of us climb as high and as fast as we can, without much thought...

But with respect to your comment that "He's Asian, and a lot with it comes that mentality that nothing is ever good enough, and every day you must prove yourself...", we need to be careful not to attribute certain characteristics to an entire race or ethnicity. There are demanding and unreasonable people, and considerate and thoughtful people, in every race and ethnicity.
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