Guidance for Counter offers

Your current employer won’t want to have to replace you, and they know that changing jobs can be a tough time for you. If you have any anxieties about leaving your friends and familiar environment of your workplace, then – even though these are completely normal, and will pass – your employer is bound to prey on these to try and manipulate you into staying and this is when a counter offer may be made.

By the time you’ve accepted another job, any counter offer your employer makes will be in the interests of the company first and foremost.

Here are some of the best reasons for a counter offer, and why they’re not as good as they seem:

• More money

  It should never take a “threat” of resignation to achieve this. If your employer feels you’re worth a certain amount / pay grade, then why aren’t you on it already? Even if you accept this, how would you go about achieving another increase in future? Your position would be weakened if you’re perceived as someone “who wouldn’t leave really”.

• Promotion or additional responsibilities

  You ought to know if these are on the table anyway – this offer will look especially insincere if you’ve previously been denied these chances. Also, how likely are you to receive further opportunities in years to come if you’re employers think you’re a “flight risk” anyway?

• Promises to change

  This is vaguest kind of offer, and the hardest to hold your employer accountable to. Once you’ve withdrawn your resignation, things can revert to how they always were – and would you have a leg to stand on, or any leverage to make them change?

• Negative comments about your new employer or job

  If there is genuinely something worth looking into, then do so by all means. But gossip, rumours and out-and-out lies from someone who has a vested interest in putting you off are never the strongest grounds for doubting a position that you feel is right.

• Guilt trips

It’s lovely to feel that you’re indispensable, but nobody is in reality. If the company really can’t  do without you, then why did a situation develop where you decided to leave?

In short, accepting a counter offer will likely do your work reputation – and career options – more harm than good. If you back away from your commitment to your new employer you will tarnish your reputation with them – and your current employer is unlikely to be impressed with having to provide a counter offer to keep you, which could have more implications in the longer term.

If you’re on the look out for a new role why not browse our Healthcare jobs or contact one of our team by phone on 01423 813450 or email at [email protected]