Even if only very small changes have been made to your role as a result of a job title change, your employer should still explain why this is happening and what it involves. You should also be given the opportunity to take the time to consider whether you’re happy with these changes and if you want to negotiate any aspects.
While a change of job title doesn’t require a new contract, it's best to get the changes in writing as evidence of changes made to your role.
If you’re unhappy about your job title or role being changed by your employer, there are a few things you should do:
Whether your role has increased or decreased in responsibilities, the first thing you should do if you’re unhappy is have a discussion with your manager. You can discuss the ways in which you can add more value to the company and take on more responsibility if your role has been reduced or ask your manager what you can do to improve your situation if you would like more or fewer responsibilities. You can ask to know why these changes have happened and how this will impact your role.
Maintain a positive attitudeAssessing the situation positively allows you to navigate the situation in the right way. It’s best to have an open, polite, and honest discussion to air your thoughts and try to come to the best decision for you and your employer. Set yourself a day to adjust to your new title and what it entails, before setting up a meeting with your manager, as this will help you handle the situation in a calm and professional manner. Although acting promptly is important, allowing a day to adjust to the change before taking the next step will be really helpful.
If your new title involves new responsibilities on top of your current ones, it may be worth discussing a pay rise or more benefits to account for this change in role. In terms of benefits, you could request things like more holiday days or a flexible schedule.
Title changes can be great ways to learn and develop new skills. View this as an opportunity to progress and ask your manager what skills are required to succeed in this role and for guidance on new training.
Hopefully, it won’t come to this and you can have a discussion with your employers and manager to come to a solution. However, some employers may try to impose their changes even if you do not agree with them.
However, this could breach your contract. If they tell you that the changes are happening and go ahead with making them, you may have the right to bring claims for:
Organisations like ACAS and Citizens Advice can offer further support on these areas.
Your employer may choose to give you notice to terminate your current employment contract and offer you a new contract when the old one ends. They can do this even if you have rejected their proposed changes.
Serving notice to terminate your contract classes as a dismissal. If your employer doesn’t follow the correct dismissal procedures you may have grounds for pursuing an employment tribunal claim, even if you accept the new job.
While job title changes can sometimes reflect positive growth, unexpected or unagreed changes may raise important contractual and professional concerns. By understanding your rights, reviewing your contract, and approaching the situation constructively, you can ensure your role aligns with your expectations and career goals. If in doubt, seek advice from Human Resources, a trade union, or legal professionals to protect your position and plan your next steps with confidence.