Background. I’ve worked (Canada) for this manufacturing plant for almost 10years. Started from the bottom and worked my way to the top as supervisor. I hold the permanent posting. Two years ago they hired a man from outside the plant to fill in the role of shift supervisor on the other shift (we have two shifts AM/PM) which I trained until qualified. Later I found out that he was salary but I’m hourly and he won’t tell me how much he’s paid (which is fine, he’s not comfortable sharing), so I don’t know if we are paid the same?
Now, I (28f) went on maternity leave last year and I’m about to return to work next week, BUT they announce that they are shutting down the PM shift and will lay off some of the personel. This means that only one spot for the shift supervisor is available and I was just told by my managers and HR (sidenote, one of the managers and HR are new and Ive never worked with them) that I will be “sharing” the role with him, but he will be the main supervisor making the calls and my role would be leadhand with quality control duties; although, I would be paid the same rate. I asked how the decision was made and I was told it’s because they hired him salary and didnt want to lose him.
They ended the meeting with pumping my tires saying how well I trained him.
During the meeting I was fine, no reactions really. When I got home it all sunk in, did I get a demotion? I dont really know what to think of it.