Dangers of the Counteroffer

Counteroffer acceptance:

The horror stories I've come across in my years as an executive recruiter indicates counteroffers should never be accepted ... EVER!

Consider the problem in its proper perspective.

What really goes through a boss's mind when someone quits?

• "This couldn't happen at a worse time."
• "This is one of my best people. If I let him quit now, it'll wreak havoc on the morale of the department."
• "I've already got one opening in my department. I don't need another right now."
• "I'm working as hard as I can, and I don't need to do his work, too."
• "If I lose another good employee, the company might decide to 'lose' me, too."
• "My review is coming up and this will make me look bad."
• "Maybe I can keep him on until I find a suitable replacement."

What will the boss say to keep you in the nest? Some of these comments are common:

• "I'm really shocked. I thought you were as happy with us as we are with you. Let's discuss it before you make your final decision."
• "Aw gee, I've been meaning to tell you about the great plans we have for you. But they have been confidential until now."
• "The V.P. has you in mind for some exciting and expanding responsibilities."
• "Your raise was scheduled to go into effect next quarter but we'll make it effective immediately."
• "You're going to work for who?"

Let's face it, when someone quits, it's a direct reflection on the boss. Unless you're really incompetent or a destructive thorn in his side, the boss might look bad by "allowing" you to go. His gut reaction is to do what has to be done to keep you from leaving until he's ready. That's human nature. Unfortunately, it's also human nature to want to stay unless your work life is abject misery. Career changes, like all ventures into the unknown, are tough. That's why bosses know they can usually keep you around by pressing the right buttons.

Before you succumb to a tempting counteroffer, consider these universal employment truths:

Any situation in which an employee is forced to get an outside offer before the present employer will suggest a raise, promotion or better working conditions, is suspect. No matter what the company says when making its counteroffer, you'll always be considered a fidelity risk. Having once demonstrated your lack of loyalty (for whatever reason), you'll lose your status as a "team player" and your place in the inner circle. Counteroffers are usually nothing more than stall devices to give your employer time to replace you. Your reasons for wanting to leave still exist. Conditions are just made a bit more tolerable in the short term because of the raise, promotion or promises made to keep you.

Counteroffers are only made in response to a threat to quit. Will you have to solicit an offer and threaten to quit every time you deserve better working conditions? Decent and well-managed companies don't make counteroffers. . .EVER! Their policies are fair and equitable. They won't be subjected to "counteroffer coercion" or what they perceive as blackmail.

If you get a counteroffer, continue to clean out your desk as you count your blessings.

Reasons for Not Accepting a Counteroffer

1. What type of company do you work for if you have to threaten to resign before they give you what you are worth?

2. Where is the money for the counteroffer coming from? Is it your next raise early? All companies have strict wage and salary guidelines that must be followed.

3. Your company will immediately start looking for a new person at a lesser salary.

4. You now have made your employer aware that you are unhappy. From this day on, your loyalty will always be in question.

5. When promotion time comes around, your employer will remember who was loyal, and who was not.

6. When times get rough, your employer will begin the cutback with you.

7. The same circumstances that now cause you to consider a change will repeat themselves in the future, even if you accept a counteroffer.

8. Statistics show that if you accept a counteroffer, the probability of voluntarily leaving in six months or being let go within one year is extremely high.

9. Accepting a counteroffer is an insult to your intelligence and a blow to your personal pride — knowing you were bought.

10. Once the word gets out, the relationship that you now enjoy with your coworkers will never be the same. You will lose the personal satisfaction of peer group acceptance.