Many experienced workers take a step down for good reasons.
A Realignment involves a downward move in your organization. For example, a technical expert who is promoted into a management position but is dissatisfied with the new assignment may opt to return to his or her previous “hands-on” position. Refocusing of this type can also be an effective response to a situation where your unit is being disbanded. It provides a way of staying wit the company while beginning a new career direction.
People move down by choice for a variety of reasons. Realignment or downshifting can be a strategy of reconciling the demands of your work with other priorities such as returning to school, making more time for family, restoring health or switching career fields.
Seeking work that is different from what you used to do can provide you a new set of responsibilities and challenges. Realignment can also be a training step. Acquiring new basic skills can give you the experience necessary to move in a different career direction later.