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Have you ever turned down a promotion? (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter KCitons
- Start date
Johnny Rock
Footballguy
It's awkward. Time helps some to normalize things but it's time to start looking. The reasons why you turned the promotion down are likely the reasons why you know it's time to go. Make it on your terms.
I think it depends on the situation and the industry in which you work.
I've never turned down a promotion but a couple of years ago I made the decision to go from being a manager back to an individual contributor. I'd had the manager job for about 18 months after being an individual contributor my previous 5 years at the company. I thought it was what I wanted, I interviewed for it, and got the job. 18 months later (probably earlier), I realized it was not what I wanted to do and was able to step back down. It's not quite the same as turning down a promotion.
There's been no awkwardness from my 'demotion'. I think everyone around here realizes it wasn't a good fit for me and my skills, and that I'm much better suited in my current role. It hasn't affected my pay/bonuses/stock options.
If you're turning down a promotion from individual work to manager work, I don't think there's anything wrong with that if that's not what you want to do.
I've never turned down a promotion but a couple of years ago I made the decision to go from being a manager back to an individual contributor. I'd had the manager job for about 18 months after being an individual contributor my previous 5 years at the company. I thought it was what I wanted, I interviewed for it, and got the job. 18 months later (probably earlier), I realized it was not what I wanted to do and was able to step back down. It's not quite the same as turning down a promotion.
There's been no awkwardness from my 'demotion'. I think everyone around here realizes it wasn't a good fit for me and my skills, and that I'm much better suited in my current role. It hasn't affected my pay/bonuses/stock options.
If you're turning down a promotion from individual work to manager work, I don't think there's anything wrong with that if that's not what you want to do.
snogger
Footballguy
Turned down a manager promotion back when I was 26 or 27.
I had been working there for 3 years and, after having to teach a few of the other "IT" managers how to use excel, I decided that I'd rather keep being on the techie side and leave management to those that couldn't do
No regrets.. Pretty sure I would have never made upper management and everywhere I've worked I've watched middle management get
I had been working there for 3 years and, after having to teach a few of the other "IT" managers how to use excel, I decided that I'd rather keep being on the techie side and leave management to those that couldn't do
No regrets.. Pretty sure I would have never made upper management and everywhere I've worked I've watched middle management get
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KCitons
Footballguy
I don't have a problem with the work, or doing the job. The concern comes from knowing that my boss (the promotion is not for his job) is going to be leaving the company within 2 months (nobody else knows this) His boss left a couple of months ago. I'm concerned that the workload would be too much for what they are willing to pay.
The Commish
Footballguy
Yes...several times. Because I didn't follow the typical career path of someone in my job, all the "promotions" I would have received were more work with no more money...why would I do that?
Coeur de Lion
Footballguy
Yes, a few different times. But I'm in sales and that's pretty common and not awkward at all. I also probably make more $ than any of my managers -- at least those below the VP level anyway.
mquinnjr
Footballguy
Yep.
Was an IT internal auditor, and was doing really well in it. Was being "groomed" to move up. Job involved international travel about 50% of the calendar year, which is awesome when you're in your mid-to-late 20's. I started thinking/looking out ahead as to what this would lock me into. No career mobility outside of the work I was doing at the time, and hard to move outside of the heavy travel audit org. Locking in no home life, which I truly missed to the point of feeling homesick after a few years. Little potential to set down roots and have a family some day, because you're never home. Living out of a suitcase, which is not as glamorous as it sounds after you do it for a long while.
I have a background in accounting, so switched to finance audit and later moved into a non-travel non-audit accounting role, all lateral moves. I left the potential money/stock/etc.on the table in audit management, but I knew it was for the better of my overall life, and I couldn't be happier. Plus, I have a more diversified career, which I think will serve me well over the long run. If a promotion is meant to be at some point, great. If not, so be it. I'd rather be where I am now, than have an elevated status at work and a bigger bank account with the fallout being me completely miserable on a personal level.
Different things for every person, but that's just me.
D in the D
Footballguy
Voted yes, Would have required a move from Detroit area to Dallas. Family situation prevented it from being a real option. It wasn't anything I was out looking for, the opportunity/offer just sort of fell in my lap.
Ilov80s
Footballguy
Yes, but I was young 20 or 21. I had a job while attending college. I was offered a supervisor position, but it would have made me salary which meant they would work me an extra 16 hours a week which pretty much would nullify the extra money. I was busy with classes and just trying to pay for school, gas and beer. I wasn't willing to exchange all that free time for the little bit of extra money.
Phil Elliott
Footballguy
I started as an IT Internal Auditor also
. Many jobs later (same company) I was asked to be a Six Sigma Black Belt, which was considered to be a prestigous position. I turned it down. Boss dropped her jaw and said WAT!? Best decision I made. Went on to bigger and better within same company.
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The Duff Man
Footballguy
Early out of school I was very underpaid for the value I was bringing in inside sales. Working 60 hr weeks and an integral part of bringing in $5M deals while making $50,000 (no bonus or commission).
They offered me a $5000 raise to take an outside position which included a fair bit of travel which I was open to but not eager about. I told them I thought I should be making more than $55,000 already and they should bump it up. They declined and I declined the job and was gone in less than a year.
Should have taken the job anyway for the expereince though...
They offered me a $5000 raise to take an outside position which included a fair bit of travel which I was open to but not eager about. I told them I thought I should be making more than $55,000 already and they should bump it up. They declined and I declined the job and was gone in less than a year.
Should have taken the job anyway for the expereince though...
strykerpks
Footballguy
Yeah I was pretty young as well. I was about 24 or 25 and leading our warehouse operations. My Station Manager was getting promoted to corporate VP of Ops and I was offered his position. I declined it as I knew I was too young and not ready to run a 30 person office/warehouse. They ended up creating a Warehouse Manager position for me in order to keep me though. I'm probably in line for the Station Manager position again if my current boss leaves or gets promoted. I'd strongly consider declining it again but I would at least hear them out. It just doesn't mesh with my skills 
bagger
Footballguy
it depends. I had an option of being promoted if I stayed in my group but opted to make a lateral move outside of the group as that has more incentive opportunities and I had no intention of being in my current group long term. I feel I can still get promoted in a year or so but also be in a better group with quite honestly longer term upside.
bagger
Footballguy
then negotiate more pay on the hypothetical that your boss will be leaving.
the hairy scotsman
Footballguy
I've been turning down promotions for 20 years. Haven't regretted it for 1 second. For me, it just isn't worth the extra time at work, extra worry & hassle, etc. I value my sanity and my time with my family more than a few extra bucks.
KCitons
Footballguy
This is where we are now. Boss keeps telling me I'm worth my asking price, but it will need approval of the COO and he's guessing it won't go through. I think he's waiting for me to cave in and take his lesser offer.bagger said:
It's all but certain that he's leaving. Along with another key support member, which will also make my job more difficult.
Binky The Doormat
Footballguy
Several times. Didn't want to move each time for the particular job so it was a bit of both. I did move three times in my career though.
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Doctor Detroit
Please remove your headgear
Four or five times. Waiting for the right opportunity to get promoted is key, and some people simply like where they are and have a good deal of comfort. I had a great job, loved what I did, and the promotion almost always meant a lot more bs. So I waited and waited, and now I have a really good job in a great situation after deciding to finally leave the job I had for six years. Taking the promotion is not always the right thing, in fact a lot of times it is exactly the wrong thing.
Doctor Detroit
Please remove your headgear
Actually as I am beginning to learn, just getting away from the Department of Defense makes all the difference. Sometimes staying too long even in huge organizations or corporations, isn't all that healthy.
Mr. Know-It-All
Footballguy
In 1994, I turned down a promotion from 1st Lieutenant to Captain. Wanted to get out of the Air Force and accepting the promotion meant another year of service. Worked out great. Didn't have to go to the desert.
mr roboto
Footballguy
I think most of these stories have a couple similarities. 1. The promotion isn't really all that great (more work, travel etc and bump in pay isn't there to justify) 2. Requires management when that's not a desired position 3. People know themselves and fit better where they are.
KCitons
Footballguy
There is a second part of this situation that I would like to hear opinions on.
About 3 months ago, the Director of our department left on not so great terms. My boss is telling me that the former director is scheduling things so that 3-4 key people (including my boss) will be quitting on the same day to take a job at this new company. I get it. It's part of the corporate world. But, since this is something that is going to effect my job (regardless of promotion) for at least the next six months. Do I have an obligation to say something? I kind of feel like I know the Titanic is sinking, but can't (or shouldn't) do anything about it. It's gotten to the point where I've thought about just quitting.
My current boss is tempting me with a job opportunity at this new company as well. But, it would require relocating and I don't see it being much of an increase in salary. So, I probably wouldn't move. Also, he's turned into kind of an ##### the last couple of weeks, once he found out he was getting this new job.
About 3 months ago, the Director of our department left on not so great terms. My boss is telling me that the former director is scheduling things so that 3-4 key people (including my boss) will be quitting on the same day to take a job at this new company. I get it. It's part of the corporate world. But, since this is something that is going to effect my job (regardless of promotion) for at least the next six months. Do I have an obligation to say something? I kind of feel like I know the Titanic is sinking, but can't (or shouldn't) do anything about it. It's gotten to the point where I've thought about just quitting.
My current boss is tempting me with a job opportunity at this new company as well. But, it would require relocating and I don't see it being much of an increase in salary. So, I probably wouldn't move. Also, he's turned into kind of an ##### the last couple of weeks, once he found out he was getting this new job.
facook
Footballguy
This. Also been offered larger books of business in other markets but turned them down because my family is very happy where we are, and I can eventually make the same amount of money building my own book here.
spOOfy
Footballguy
Just did it this year. I actually applied for the promotion and they were extremely excited that I did. One of the perks of my current position is working from home a couple days a week. I knew I'd have to give some of that up when I applied for the job. But the raise was not enough for me to give up that perk (when I had to cancel out the commuting, extra day care and city wage taxes).
First I asked if there was anyway they'd be willing to allow me to keep the current work from home status or at least do part of it. They said they couldn't, so I said I had to decline it at this time.
Hasn't been too awkward actually.
First I asked if there was anyway they'd be willing to allow me to keep the current work from home status or at least do part of it. They said they couldn't, so I said I had to decline it at this time.
Hasn't been too awkward actually.
fatness
Footballguy
I turned down the first promotion I was ever offered. I told the guy offering it "You're just offering it to me because you and [the more qualified guy ahead of me] and you don't like each other. I've worked with him long enough to know he'll bust his ### and do a good job if he gets the promotion. He deserves it, not me, and you 2 should be able to work together." Turned out exactly the way I said; the guy did a good job and the 2 worked fine together. I felt fine about it, and upon retelling the story right now, I still do. It never hurt me in any way and was the right thing to do.
