kick upstairs

Promote someone to a higher but less desirable position, especially one with less authority. For example, Paul never forgave the company for kicking him upstairs at age 55. This expression alludes to its antonym, kick downstairs, simply meaning "eject." [Mid-1900s]

The verb has one meaning:

Meaning #1: assign to a lower position; reduce in rank
  Synonyms: demote, bump, relegate, break