[mikester]

When I took the job I have now they said everything I ever wanted to hear.

It was a good deal; I liked it very much and for a few years it was the best job I ever had.

Then, about a year ago things went drastically south. We had a huge layoff that caught many of my middle managers off guard while I was on vacation. When I came back and was told I was safe I certainly didn't feel like it.

Then they announced an outsourcing initiative - we're already outsourced in a bunch of areas throughout the company - I'm in IT so it isn't new. It was announced as a 'research project' to see if it was feasible - if it is - we'll likely get hired by the incoming company. 'likely.'

I was given a retention bonus that kept me keen for a few months. Once that paid out however, I wanted to wait out things because I was close to the mark that would save me from having to pay back a considerable sum of money to the company. Plus if they let me go - I get to go free and clear of the debt.

Prior to the retention bonus I did do some interviewing - a friend set me up with a very promising interview. He went over and above for it - more than I asked him to. Since he's in sales it - there was some interest in him having placed me there but I like to think that his interest was in our friendship. He's been there for me in the past at this level but our friendship is mostly business based. We simply don't live close enough for it to be much more than that.

The interviews went okay - I did well in them but the employer left a hard after taste in my mouth so to speak. They were talking an outrageous amount of money though...

So, after two interviews they decide that they want to expand their search beyond word of mouth and start looking in earnest for someone to fill the position. I was okay with it because their stalling got me my retention bonus. Their stalling allowed me to work on some certs for my resume - one was really hard though and I failed - twice. I'm still working on it.

In the meantime I start chatting up a new manager who I work closely with - he wants to bring me into his group permanently. This move would take me OUT of the outsourcing path I believe for the long term. We continue to talk and I tell him to get it done, I'm ready. He says 'ok.' Still - 6 weeks go by and HR is road blocking him. He's new - trying to play it cool...

Next the other company comes back to me, months later - having been unable to find someone to fill the role and offers me the job. The salary however is significantly lower than we had originally discussed. I counter and they counter and we basically meet half way. I accept the offer and we agree on a start date which due to some planned holiday travel is about 5 weeks away. It's now 3 weeks away.

This week I gave my notice at my current position - I did not do it as a negotiating tool.

The new manager who wanted me to work for him simply couldn't get things through HR fast enough - I didn't do it to put pressure on him. I had a good offer and I was ready to go. I wasn't terribly happy about it though - while the last year was very tough I had really liked things before that. It's hard to let that go.

I had originally told the new manager that I wanted two things - an employment agreement to protect me in a layoff and a certain percentage more salary. Nothing terrible but double digits - less than the new company was offering me now.

Back to this week, giving notice - he pulls me into his office and asks should he bother continuing. I told him - and I wonder if this was a mistake - I'll listen to anything you have to say.

So, he goes to work. I tell him that without the employment agreement we will need to come up with something else that will make me feel 'safe' in staying. I suggest that he arrange to pay for the cert I've been working toward (a significant expense so far) and the next one I planned on. These would fit right in with my job however so it's an easy 'yes' for him. Now he's got to work on the money bits...


It's taken him a bit but I'm expecting the counter offer tomorrow morning.

The pros of accepting it are these as I see it:

*Flexibility - I can work from home quite a bit
*Short commute - I live 2 miles from work now - the new job is an hour away each way.
*Great benefits at reasonable prices
*Family friendly company
*Job enhancing training
*Interesting work
*Short work week
*Generous holiday schedule
*discounts on products (which is very good for me)
*Greatly reduced on call exposure


The cons of accepting:

*The outsourcing of my friends will be something I have to watch
*I have to deal with this company still - I've lost some respect for it over the last year
*I'll have to deal with the repercussions of backing out of the job offer I have - my reputation will be damaged.
*Damage to a solid business friendship which I really REALLY need.
*Unknown damage to my future opportunities


The pros of the new job:

*Well, I'm not sure - to be honest I never was that excited about it. It was a job to get me out of the one I'm in - into something I thought was more stable.
*More money
*Interesting work - the jobs are virtually the same with the exception of the 'hands on part'
*Reasonable training opportunities

Cons:

*Benefits are terribly expensive
*Long commute with terrible parking
*longer hours, longer work week
*maintaining and operational on call situation where I am the 'go to guy' and if things fail I HAVE to respond
*No ability to work from home.

I'm having a little trouble with the ethical bits of the whole thing. I accepted an offer already and I hate the idea of backing out. Still - I feel like it is the best thing for me and that is important as well. I've seen it done before but I've never done it before. I've never thought that much of it myself when I've seen it - I didn't respect it but I could understand the deal. Still - I worry about the damage I could do to my future by accepting the counter. It's a small world out there... The reality is I was unimpressed with the two guys who would be my immediate managers. I was willing to over look this when I NEEDED to get out but even though I NEEDED To get out I really wished I didn't.

I just thought I would throw this on the wall here...see what sticks...