Promotion - taken away because of 'lack of resource'...

[Yenny]

I recently applied for another position at my job. I went through the regular procedure of being hired for the new possition (numerous interviews, test, etc) and was then promoted.

The company has had some finance problems and now, I am being forced to 'do my old job' in addition to my new responsibilities. This means that they have taken the my new title away from me and i am being forced to report to my old manager. The main manager stated that i have proven to be a great employee but 'things happen and business is business....' I strongly disagree with the decision that was made because i feel i was given the promotion because i have proven to be a good employee. I feel that my career has been placed on hold and the company is not being reasonable....is there anything that can be done...is this legal?!???

[factor-fiction]

Yes it's legal, although they should have adjusted your pay/grade in some way if you have taken on higher grade responsibilities- if they haven't they may not be able to demonstrate 'equal value', lthough payscales can we so wide they can get round that.
By all means ask to discuss an increase in pay or reduction in work. But ompanies can only pay what they can afford and in many companies the workloads on staff are increasing.
There are more jobs outside if you aren't happy.

[buildersmate]

Titles and reporting structures are pretty irrelevant.
Did the company write to you confirming the change in role with confirmation of your new pay rate? If they did, the contract was amended. And they are going to have to discuss with you (and give you notice, as an absolute minimum) if they want to amend it back again.
This sounds like the sort of stunt that a public sector employer gets up to, blaming 'budget limitations'. Its extremely demotivating.

[Twenty20]

Were you given a new contract for the new position? Were you on probation in the new position?

Jobs and roles can change because of changes in business, but it does sound a bit dodgy if you were actually given a new contract in that position. If you feel that youve been mistreated you can raise an official grievance and the company will have to investigate it. Just dont expect them to be too happy about it if you go down this route - though if youre already feeling peeved about the situation perhaps upsetting them wont matter to you?

[buildersmate]

"company write to you confirming the change in role with confirmation of your new pay rate" equals a change in your 'contract' as Twenty describes it.