demotion
n. C / U B2 Upper Intermediate US //dɪˈmoʊʃən// UK //dɪmˈəʊʃən// de·mo·tion
n. a move to a lower rank or position in a company. This usually means you have less responsibility and often earn less money.
n. a reduction in rank, status, or position within an organization. Often results in a decrease in salary or authority.
He was surprised by the sudden demotion after years of service.
The manager's demotion was a shock to the team, as he had been the most experienced person in the department.
While the official announcement cited budget constraints, many employees suspected the demotion was a strategic move to weaken the union's leadership before the next round of negotiations.