Demotes

Demotes is the present tense form of the verb demote. Demote describes the act of moving a person to a lower rank, position, or grade. Demotion is the corresponding noun for the change in status, and the term is used across organizations and contexts to refer to formal reductions in authority or responsibility.

In workplaces, demotion can be voluntary or involuntary. It may follow performance reviews, disciplinary action, organizational restructuring, or a personnel realignment. A demotion may involve reduced pay, changes in duties, or a transfer to a lower level of responsibility. In many jurisdictions and organizations, demotions are governed by policies and employment laws, and due process or notice may be required when the change affects compensation or career status.

Outside employment, similar concepts appear in sports, where a team or player may be relegated to a lower division, and in the military or government where rank adjustments occur for disciplinary or organizational reasons. In information technology, demotion can describe lowering a user’s access level or downgrading the priority of a process or feature. The decision to demote can affect morale, retention, and long-term career trajectories, and is often weighed against potential benefits such as improved performance or organizational fit.

See also: promotion, demotion (the noun), career ladder, layoffs.