Accept a counteroffer or not?

[mikester]

I have accepted a counter offer in the past but I did not stay with that company long term.

If the problems that lead to you looking for something else still exist after the counter offer then I would not stay.

In my situation, which there is a thread about (and each situation is unique) I was offered a job somewhere I didn't really want to work. The job I was in was in danger, the counter offer removed me from being in danger and upped my salary and put a bunch of money in my pocket. Ultimately however the problems did still exist, had the job I was offered been better I would have taken it without looking back.

Finally, about 9 months later I was offered my dream job (which I have now) and I could not be happier.

The folks who made me the counter offer worked hard to keep me at that time and they were upset when I left. They still hold a grudge, I still do interface with them from a business perspective. With that in mind, I would say taking a counter offer leaves you at a disadvantage and pisses a lot of folks off. it's a small world so I would make sure that you have yourself protected with some sort of contract, agreement or bonus structure so that if something wonky does happen - you're income is protected.

Make sure you communicate as much as you can to whomever you're screwing because counter offers cause bad blood and again - it is a very small world.

Just sayin...

[Rick Lee]

Any issue with a non-compete here? I'm pretty sure my current company would try to play that card, if I gave my notice and went fishing for a counter. I know they won't enforce it, but I'm sure they'd threaten to do so.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

It also could be ammunition for your boss to go to his boss (or whomever) in order to justify paying you more. A lot of times the manager doesn't get to set the salary and it gives them leverage to say, "hey, we're paying this guy too little since he's got a competing offer..."

Depends on the organization but I've run into that before also.

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by Rick Lee

Any issue with a non-compete here? I'm pretty sure my current company would try to play that card, if I gave my notice and went fishing for a counter. I know they won't enforce it, but I'm sure they'd threaten to do so.

How can they force you into a non compete if you leave of your own accord?

Didi you sign something when you took the job?

[Rick Lee]

Originally Posted by stomachmonkey

How can they force you into a non compete if you leave of your own accord?

Didi you sign something when you took the job?

I did, yes. I wonder if our OP did. But we just had a top, top producer leave for a competitor and he's already calling on his old accounts, lives in a very lucrative market and he knew for weeks or months that he was leaving. No doubt he filled a few memory sticks with info from his laptop before quitting. And his non-compete is not being enforced. That's how I know it's a joke at my company.

[billh1963]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

The only reason I would make a counter offer is to keep the employee around long enough to replace him, and only then if there is no way I can't get along without him for a few months. If my guy is unhappy with any part of our salary, benefits, corporate culture, working conditions etc and he hasn't talked to me about it, I'll assume he's always been looking for the place with the greenest grass and my shop was always just a stop on the way. I'll wish him good luck. And wave.

+ 1

I'm an IT director and work with lots of IT professionals. In my experience the few counter offers that I have seen offered never worked out in the long run. In a few months they were either shopping a new job or were trying to renegotiate for more money.

Once you give notice, you are gone.

[nostatic]

Things will not be perfect no matter where you go. Every place sucks one way or another - it just depends on what you are willing to put up with.

As for "expendable" - everyone is expendable. Period. At some point everyone leaves for one reason or another. Some places do actually have a value on "loyalty" but there often is a point where decisions have to be made.

Personally, I've seen too many people who went with the high offer and were miserable. I value the type of work and the people I'm working with over the compensation. I spend too much of my life working, so I want to be around the best people I can find.

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by Rick Lee

And his non-compete is not being enforced. That's how I know it's a joke at my company.

They are generally just a scare tactic for the uninformed. They are typically difficult to enforce.

Non competes need to reasonable/equitable for both sides, many times they are not.

[Rick Lee]

Originally Posted by stomachmonkey

They are generally just a scare tactic for the uninformed. They are typically difficult to enforce.

Non competes need to reasonable/equitable for both sides, many times they are not.

Yes. But the problem with my own non-compete is that it makes it a little harder to find a job with another company in my field. They all ask if I have any kind of agreement in place with my current employer that could make life difficult for them. If I'm honest, they probably won't call me back. If I lie about it, my current company will probably never do anything about it. But if they so much as send a worthless letter to my new employer about it, I'm fired for lying, regardless of the unenforceability of the agreement.

[Head416]

I can tell you that members of my team (past and present) who have stayed on after threatening to quit have lost the respect of the other team members.

YMMV

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by stomachmonkey

You pursue a new job because your current one is lacking.

You "pursue" a new job to leverage changes in your current one.

Sounds like you where looking for the former. Forget the counter and move on.

+1
Yeppers.

[sammyg2]

Originally Posted by nostatic

I value the type of work and the people I'm working with over the compensation. I spend too much of my life working, so I want to be around the best people I can find.

Which is why you're a moderator here

[Rick Lee]

Originally Posted by Head416

I can tell you that members of my team (past and present) who have stayed on after threatening to quit have lost the respect of the other team members.

YMMV

If that stuff has gone on with my team, it's top secret. Wouldn't surprise me if a few of them have gone to the boss to quit and then been kept with a counter offer. But it's done on a vow of silence. I'm pretty close with the boss and get plenty of gossip out of him when we're out drinking. But I have never heard about someone else getting a counter to stay. And several of us have been with him going on 10 yrs.

[Head416]

Funny... in my experience it was the employees, not the bosses, that couldn't keep their mouths shut. That may have been a factor.

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by Rick Lee

....But it's done on a vow of silence...

I've been referred to as a "Country Club" manager. I tend to be fairly easy with my staff. I expect them to be mature adults and do what's needed without needing to be told to and cut them a lot of slack. Kind of like kids, it's not what they eat at every meal that counts so long as they average out to a healthy diet over the course of a week.

I have a very short list of fireable offenses.

Top on it is discussion of compensation with other staff. It's an absolute game ender for me.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Why? They're going to find out anyway and I guarantee they discuss it.

If anyone ever used it as leverage to try and get more salary I'd remind them that people are unique and despite whether or not they have the same title, they have different start dates, experience levels, backgrounds and skill sets. That's why so-and-so makes "X" and you make "Y". If you think you're not fairly compensated, make the case (aside from what you think someone else makes based on their say-so which could be exaggerated boasting) and we can discuss. Otherwise go back to work.

[rnln]

personally, I think this is a little odd.

Originally Posted by Head416

I can tell you that members of my team (past and present) who have stayed on after threatening to quit have lost the respect of the other team members.

YMMV

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by Porsche-O-Phile

Why? They're going to find out anyway and I guarantee they discuss it.

If anyone ever used it as leverage to try and get more salary....

During the last portion of my career I (along with MANY) teammates only recieved a raise if the corporate guidelines (i.e. salary bracket ranges) increased. It wasn't rocket science to figure out. I must admit...I've been a bit jaded by corporate America, but it never has been/is about "the money", but it help$. There is absolutely no reason to remain unfairly compensated (for your skillset) either...

[Head416]

Originally Posted by rnln

personally, I think this is a little odd.

Understandable. I think it was the impression that the person was playing games to get what they want, and maybe taking offense to the idea that the company should bend over backwards for this one person as if they're worth more than the rest of the team. Maybe childish, or based on jealousy. I don't know, I'm just reporting what happened. Bottom line is the individuals' status as part of the 'team' was compromised.

[tabs]

Originally Posted by nostatic

Things will not be perfect no matter where you go. Every place sucks one way or another - it just depends on what you are willing to put up with.

As for "expendable" - everyone is expendable. Period. At some point everyone leaves for one reason or another. Some places do actually have a value on "loyalty" but there often is a point where decisions have to be made.

Personally, I've seen too many people who went with the high offer and were miserable. I value the type of work and the people I'm working with over the compensation. I spend too much of my life working, so I want to be around the best people I can find.

BRAVO......

Then there is work burn out...one gets tired of doing the same thing and needs a challenge.. Broadening ones repertoire with a variety of experience only makes one more valuable as U have seen this and done that..

My feelings about corporate America is that I am there working for myself. I am in a sense in business for myslef, and what I have to sell is my ability, talent and experience

The only loyalty I have to company is if they will lower the company flag to half mast and give a half aday off with pay to go to my funeral..other than that I owe them no loyalty as they basically have none for me. Thus being expendable.

Business is there to make a profit on your labours...only working at your own business gives you the highest return on your efforts.

But then that is my opinion and why should anyone listen to the prodigal son...