Possible counter offer

Uhtred · 3 Mar 2016 at 05:57

I'm opening this thread in anticipation of a possible counter offer from my current place of work and the dilemma that may cause me. I also want to make sure I'm playing my cards right.

I work in IT infrastructure and I've been with my current employer for 5 years. I've never resigned from a job as in the past I've always been made redundant.

A few weeks ago I applied for a new job which is closer to home (I currently commute to london) and pays better +2k basic +5k oncall and overtime available. The job itself sounds interesting and I was impressed with the company and my would be team leader.

The technical tests and interview went well and I was offered the job the next morning. After receiving the contract I resigned on Tuesday with my 2 months notice.

I've had hints from 3 different people that a counter offer is being prepared and I want to make sure I do things correctly if that does happen.

I'm planning on posting the paperwork for the new job on Saturday as the offer is valid for 14 days, which will be this coming Tuesday, so I'm not comfortable delaying any longer than that.

Once I send back the contract signed is there no going back? As I mentioned I've never been in this position so I really am clueless.

Thanks for any advice

randomshenans · 3 Mar 2016 at 08:54

Yea, once you're signed up on the contract you're kind of there. You can always change your mind really, but from a process point of view you're done.

I take it you're not accepting the counter? From the sounds of it the new job would make you at least 14k better off (factor in 5k london travel a year costs, overtime, on call and better basic).

Conanius · 4 Mar 2016 at 09:44

You've said yourself, its a possible counter offer, you have nothing in your hand. Until its in writing, it doesn't exist.

In my experience, counter offers are done very quietly and not public knowledge. If people are talking about it, its just gossip.

Uhtred · 4 Mar 2016 at 10:44

Yes that is very likely. I will send off the contract signed to the new place tomorrow.

zola25 · 4 Mar 2016 at 11:48

It's also worth bearing in mind that most people who accept a counter offer normally still leave within 6 months.

Unless a counter offer is spectacular, or addresses your primary reasons for leaving it's a short term fix for most before they realise why they wanted to leave in the first place. I've been in this position once early in my career and left shortly after as nothing really changed.

tcfreer · 4 Mar 2016 at 11:55

Best way IMHO to see these things is as what my Grandad would say to me

If you ahven't seen it, then it doesn't exsist yet so don't get your hopes up on a maybe

HangTime · 4 Mar 2016 at 14:34

Sounds like a decent move to me based on the information available. Key thing is getting your contract back to the new employer as if they haven't had it back within 14 days that would be concerning.

I can't comment from a legal perspective but I would imagine if you walk into work on Monday to find a huge pot of gold waiting for you that you could in theory renege on the new job, although it would be bad form and likely effectively blacklist you from that organisation (and recruiter if you went via one) in future.

When my previous employer made a (verbal) counter-offer they did so within a day or two (it never got as far as anything in writing as I wasn't happy with the money they were offering). If they haven't even approached you directly with at least a verbal offer/discussion by the end of the week then I would consider that an indicator of how important it is to them. Getting something in writing can take longer due to needing to get things approved by different parties in the organisation but really they should have entered into discussions with you already.

DRZ · 4 Mar 2016 at 14:40

Every single person I know that got to the stage you're at and then accepted a counter-offer regretted it and left anyway.

I got a very attractive counter-offer when I left my last employer which I didn't take because while more money is obviously good it didn't come close to addressing the reasons I'd expressed to them for leaving.

Jamesyboyjim · 4 Mar 2016 at 14:42

If money isn't the only reason you aren't happy at your current job then I'd go for the new one. The counter offer will obviously be a pay rise but even if they trebled your wage, would you still be happy doing the actual job itself or would you only enjoy the money?

Uhtred · 6 Mar 2016 at 11:03

Thanks for the advice everyone, contract is on its way. Although money is a big reason I'm leaving it's not the only reason so I'm glad nothing has come of it.

The hint came from someone relatively senior and he was the person who first recruited me, hence I thought there was a good chance something would be offered. But this says it all really:

If they haven't even approached you directly with at least a verbal offer/discussion by the end of the week then I would consider that an indicator of how important it is to them

I feel a sense of relief now that it's done and dusted and I'm looking forward to my first day

Uhtred · 9 Mar 2016 at 17:51

So the counter came through today, +10k basic, no strings. I have tonight to think about it but I'm almost certain to decline. It will be sad to leave but I feel I've done my time there and it's time for a fresh challenge.

I found the comments above really helpful, thanks to all.

NickK · 9 Mar 2016 at 18:20

Hmm it's funny.

There's research that indicates accepting a counter offer is bad due to the fact that moving around the industry means you gain a wider and deeper understanding. Rather than accept a counter offer, the research seems to indicate it's actually better for you to leave then in 3-4 years come back. The result is you are much more valuable and it's demonstrated that companies actually value you more than someone that were retained by a counter offer.

I know quite a few people that have resigned leaving one company, going and working somewhere else and then returning as they are known to the company, know the company backwards and are an easy option for the HR recruitment. The benefit to the individual is that they often return back into the company after being given a far far better package along with new and interesting role and responsibilities.

NickK · 9 Mar 2016 at 18:25

Conanius said:
You've said yourself, its a possible counter offer, you have nothing in your hand. Until its in writing, it doesn't exist.

In my experience, counter offers are done very quietly and not public knowledge. If people are talking about it, its just gossip.

This.

Unless it's a legal signed contract there is nothing. Zip. Nada.

A big counter offer is an HR tool to attempt to mess up your chances by getting you to reject the real offer. Then.. mysteriously their offer disappears or gets so complicated/difficult that you give up. Additionally because you've made a noise.. it means you may not be happy to stay there so often it causes friction with your boss (loss of face etc) and additionally if they need to make people redundant in the future - you will be considered first because you're "unhappy"..

Wink · 9 Mar 2016 at 20:10

zola25 said:
It's also worth bearing in mind that most people who accept a counter offer normally still leave within 6 months.

Unless a counter offer is spectacular, or addresses your primary reasons for leaving it's a short term fix for most before they realise why they wanted to leave in the first place.

+1, I was just about to say this

Sounds like the new move makes sense for quite a few reasons as well.