What is Downshifting?
Downshifting refers to a strategic career move where individuals choose to reduce their advancement by reducing their workload and working hours.
Table of Content
Why do employees opt for downshifting?
The reasons behind employees choosing downshifting as a career move can vary depending on their age and circumstances. However, three common reasons are frequently mentioned:
Transitioning into part time work
Many older employees view downshifting as a way of transitioning out of the workforce.
They often convert their full-time role into a part time one because their priorities and values have changed over time.
After focusing on climbing the corporate ladder like they did in their younger years, now they prefer to dedicate more time to hobbies, personal wellbeing or spending quality time with family and grandchildren while still maintaining an income.
Retiring with stability
In the past, it used to be expected that individuals would receive a pension starting at age 65. However, this has become more uncertain for retirees today.
As a result, some employees see downshifting as a means of securing stability for retirement by reducing work hours rather than abruptly stopping work altogether.
Striving for work life balance
Many workers choose downshifting because they seek work life balance overall.
By reducing responsibilities and working hours they aim to create space in their lives for leisure activities, personal interests and family commitments without compromising too heavily on income.
How famous is downshifting among professionals?
Downshifting has been gaining popularity among professionals from backgrounds due to these factors.
People in age groups X, Y and Z may have to consider the option of downshifting without any doubt. This choice is likely to become a way of withdrawing from the workforce in the future.
Downshifting can act as an emergency brake, for those dealing with behavior or burnout. It’s important to note that downshifting is not exclusively intended for individuals who are planning for retirement.
Young professionals are increasingly choosing to slow down and take a step back from their work.
It’s often the case that these younger individuals, experts or managers feel frustrated or overwhelmed by their situation.
This is often closely linked to working and being on the verge of burnout. The higher they are on the career ladder the more pressure and strain they face.
Downshifting is a way for them to make their current challenging situation more bearable. It can help reduce health risks and improve wellbeing allowing employees to come out stronger from difficult times without necessarily having to change jobs.
Downshifting as a family solution.
Family planning is often a reason among employees who choose to downshift because it enables them to balance their family responsibilities with work more effectively.
Managing a family can be like having a full-time job on its own which requires excellent time management and budgeting skills.
However, quitting their job and giving up their income is not an option in today’s world.
The combination of raising children while maintaining a job can quickly push parents to their limits.
Benefits of Downshifting for employers and employees
Diminishing the number of working hours allows individuals who have chosen to downshift to manage their family commitments.
Downshifting offers advantages for employers and employees as it reduces the number of working hours per day and the number of working days per week.
Benefits, for employers:
Improved employee retention
When organizations demonstrate empathy and understanding towards their employees’ situations and show a willingness to support them through downsizing it signals that they care about and value their employees.
This increases the likelihood that employees will stay with the company for the term as they feel appreciated and acknowledged.
Consequently, there is a turnover rate reducing the need to fill positions at costs.
Increased productivity
When there are many tasks, colleagues can become overwhelmed, leading to exhaustion and burnout.
On the hand employees who delegate tasks and responsibilities experience a workload and feel less stressed. They can work freely.
Manage their time better even with reduced hours. This ultimately enhances the productivity of those who opt for downshifting.
Prevention of absences
Individuals suffering from workaholic behavior (and possibly even burnout) are more susceptible to additional health conditions.
As a result, they may be absent from work for prolonged periods or even years requiring their position to be filled.
Downshifting can serve as a measure against long term absences offering a more cost-effective alternative than hiring new talent.
Taking days off
Reducing the number of workdays usually leads to decreased stress, improved work life balance and overall higher satisfaction.
This also has effects on one’s health, which’s why individuals who opt for a slower pace are often discouraged from taking infrequent breaks.
Benefits, for employees
Improved wellbeing
As mentioned earlier downshifting can serve as a kind of emergency brake to prevent health issues.
Simply reducing work responsibilities alone helps employees’ recharge and restore themselves.
Additionally, many individuals who downshift also use the time to adopt a lifestyle thus avoiding such situations in the future.
Better balance between work and leisure
For instance, if someone’s daily working hours are reduced from eight to six through downshifting, they gain time during the day.
This additional free time ensures a balance between work and leisure activities.
Increased satisfaction due to quality of life
Often family, friends and hobbies tend to be neglected due to work demands. This lack of quality time can be frustrating.
Diminish one’s satisfaction with life.
However, those who have time for activities and self-care experience an increase in their overall satisfaction and live happier lives.
Maintained income
While not receiving their full salary employees who choose downshifting have some level of control over how much pay they are willing or able to give up compared to leaving a job altogether.
If a reasonable salary is negotiated the downshifter can successfully make money to cover their expenses without many constraints and, without being threatened by poverty, which would lead to additional stress.