Posted by What will you do if your current employer proposes a counteroffer when you have decided to resign? It would be easy for you to turn back and fall into your comfort zone but the moment your employer did not see this coming, perhaps they should have recognised your value earlier. While accepting a counteroffer may be beneficial, you will need to consider some important factors before you come into the decision.
1.Turning down the counteroffer without severing any connections
Generally, you will only receive a counteroffer before you accept the job. In that situation, it is best to state that you appreciate the offer and his/her time, effort and energy throughout the interview process but you have to decline the job. You can also offer your support by providing a list of referrals that you deem suitable for the job as well.
If you are looking to resign from your current job and decided that taking the counteroffer from your employer is not the right path for you, it is best to turn down politely without severing any connections. There is a possibility that you might have to work with your employer again in the future. Perhaps they could be your potential prospect or client. Provide a formal response to your employer and state that you are grateful for their proposition but unfortunately, you have to decline their offer. Your departure could be a huge loss to the company, at the very least you could do is to tie up loose ends such as pending projects by passing over to the most suitable person in the company. Send a thank-you note to your former colleagues and employer for the lessons you learned while working together with them.
2. Does my boss value me as an employee?
The signs that your boss value you are not always immediately obvious. But it’s important to determine if your manager is on your side or not. If you are not on a favourable side and you have done your best to resolve any complications in the workplace whether it is about money, promotion, work schedule or annual leave; and you drop your resignation notice two weeks prior. If the employer truly values you as an employee, the counteroffer would be offered with benefits that make you more agreeable to retain your existing position.
3. Will I be treated better if I accept the counteroffer?
If you decided to accept the counteroffer, chances are you will be scrutinised within the company. Your employer may even expect more from you in terms of contribution to the company in return. Moreover accepting a counteroffer shows that you have breached your commitment to the prospective employer that you desire to work within the first place and you might have burned the bridges with them. Think long and hard the consequences of accepting a counteroffer especially your reputation in the industry you work in.
4. If I accepted the counteroffer, will my job be on the line?
There is a chance that a counteroffer is brought up as a stalling technique to give employers more time to replace you. Paying a little more to you may is just to ensure the business can keep running compared to suffering from delays and issues that would arise without you in the seat. The very moment you have shown that you are willing to resign, your loyalty to the company will be questioned. You may even need to accept the fact that you will never feel that you are truly part of the company and it can be challenging to overcome the stigma.
5. Why did I decide to look for a new job?
Work stress affecting your mental or physical health? Intolerable working conditions? Losing motivation at your current job? Perhaps you are looking to broaden up your skills and taking on new challenges? Accepting a counteroffer means you have robbed yourself from the opportunity to move on to achieve your new goals. If money is the only drive you have to strive for a better job, perhaps the counteroffer can be considered but keep in mind that there will be repercussions that you need to accept.
6. I have gotten a job offer, should I tell my current employer?
It would be unwise to inform the news to your current employers unless you already have signed offer in hand and plan on pursuing a new job, in which case they deserve to know. Same applies to inform your colleagues and manager about your departure from the company to a new job. But if you have decided to decline the offer, it is best to keep the information discreetly. Informing your colleagues about you having a job offer can come across as an attempt to negotiate favourable terms from your employer or a bragging matter.
Should you decided to share the salary info that you were offered by the interested company. Your current employer may assume that the money is what drives you to resign and move to a new company. Chances are this may lead to your boss propose a counteroffer with more salary, bonuses or even a promotion just so you can retain your place with the company.
What is your take on how to handle a counteroffer? Leave us your thoughts on the comment sections below. Head over to Jobstore.com and unveil your next job opportunity.
You Jing is a content writer who writes career and lifestyle contents to inspire job seekers and employers alike on their journey to work-life balance, empowerment and transformation in their career path.
Reach me at youjing@jobstore.com