@johncarlosbaez @watchie Here’s my story: hired after post-doc to assistant prof. My former university doesn’t give out many tenure track positions, at least in the medical school where I was appointed. When my daughter was born I took an unpaid leave but kept my appointment via contributed service (taught some classes). I also started my private practice (I’m a psychologist). Was asked to come back part time sooner than I’d planned by my old boss, but was told by an administrator I would have to take a demotion to a staff position (clinical research associate). I didn’t think I was going to go back to a full time research gig so I said whatever and took it. Learned later he really didn’t have to demote me, but acted like it was absolutely required. Turns out he used some vague bylaw or something. Anyway, I was then part of a large program project grant that got funded and so I got reappointed to assistant professor. I clawed my way to associate professor after 4 years. Then I realized I was underpaid by about 50K a year. Spent 18 months fighting for that to be adjusted before I resigned this last April from academia entirely. So yes, people absolutely get demoted. This was at a major private university near Chicago that recently had some real bad press about their football team.