Counter Offer
It is very common for employees who accept counteroffers not to
complete the following year with their employer. Thus, do not even
consider a counteroffer. It is natural instinct to resist change and avoid
disruption, and your present employer may try to maintain the status
quo by trying to convince you to stay. Emotions for everyone can run
high when a resignation is received and promises from your current
employer may be made that are unrealistic. A natural fear of change
or pressure from the company could make you do something you
should not do. You must keep the value of your integrity and
reputation in this situation.
FORMS of a Counteroffer...
1. "We have specific plans for you that have been scheduled for
implementation for the first of next month. It's my fault for not telling you
sooner."
2. "I want to tell you some confidential information. There is a
reorganization developing that means a significant promotion for you in
a few months."
3. "We want to match your new offer. This raise was scheduled to go
into effect for you the first of next quarter anyway, but because of your
record, we can start it on the first of next month."
4. "The Plant Manager would like to have dinner with you tonight
before your final decisions."
However, never accept a counteroffer. The following section explains
why.
IMPLICATIONS of a Counteroffer...
A counteroffer can be very flattering, but it may cause emotions to
obscure your objectivity to leave your present employer. If you are
confronted with a counteroffer, ask yourself these questions:
1. If I made a decision to resign because I felt another environment
would better fill my career needs, will the factors that prompted me to
leave my present company really improve just because I said I was
leaving?
2. If I decide to stay, will my loyalty be questioned and affect my
chance for advancement in the future? Will it affect that I am a team
player in my peer group? What happens to my reputation?
3. If my loyalty were questioned, would I be an early layoff when
business slows down?
4. If they offer me a raise to stay, is it just my annual raise coming
early?
5. If the raise they offered to keep me is above their guidelines for my
job, does that mean that they are just buying time until they can find
my replacement within their regular salary range? Are they using me to
keep the position staffed until my manager hires someone else?
6. If I got this counteroffer just because I resigned, will I have to
threaten to leave every time I want to advance with the company?
