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COUNTEROFFER ACCEPTANCE - "THE ROAD TO CAREER RUIN"
Written by Paul Hawkinson
Matthew Henry, the 17th century writer said, "Many a dangerous temptation
comes to us in fine shiny colors that are but skin deep." The same can be
said for counteroffers, those magnetic enticements designed to lure you back
into the nest after deciding its time to fly away.
The litany of horror stories I have come across in the years as an Executive
Recruiter, Consultant and publisher, provides a litmus test that clearly
indicates counter offers should never be accepted . . .EVER!
I define a counter offer simply as an inducement from your current employer
to get you to stay after you've announced your intention to take another
job. We're not talking about those instances when you receive an offer but
don't tell your boss. Nor are we discussing offers that you never intended
to take, yet told your employer about anyway as a "they want me but I'm
staying with you" play.
These are merely astute positioning tactics you may choose to use to
reinforce your worth by letting your boss know you have other options.
Mention of a sure counteroffer, however, carries an actual threat to it.
Interviews with employers who make counteroffers and employees who accept
them have shown to be as tempting as they can be. Acceptance may be CAREER
SUICIDE! During the past twenty years, I have seen only isolated incidents
in which an accepted counteroffer has benefited the employee. Consider the
problem in its' perspective.
What really goes through a boss's mind when someone
quits?
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"This couldn't be happening at a worse
time."
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"This is one of my best people. If I let
him/her quit now, it'll wreak havoc on the morale of the department."
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"I've already got one opening in my
department. I don't need another one right now."
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"This will probably screw up the entire
vacation schedule."
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"I'm working as hard as I can, and I don't
need his/her work, too."
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"If I lose another good employee, the
company might decide to "lose" me."
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"My review is coming up and this will make
me look bad."
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"Maybe I can keep him/her on until I find a
suitable replacement."
What will the boss say to keep
you in the nest? Some of these comments are very common.
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"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."
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"Gee, I've been meaning to tell you about
the great plans we have for you, but it's all been very confidential up
until now."
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"The VP has you in mind for some exciting
and expanding responsibilities."
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"Your raise was scheduled to go into effect
next quarter, but we'll make it effective ASAP."
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"You're going to work for who?"
Let's
face it, when someone quits it's a direct reflection on the boss. Unless you
are really incompetent or a destructive thorn in his/her side, the boss
might look bad by "allowing you to go. His/her gut reaction is to do what
has to be done to keep you from leaving until he/she is ready to let you go.
That is human nature.
Fortunately, 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
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 it is making it’s counteroffer, you
will always be considered a fidelity risk. Having once demonstrated your
lack of loyalty (for whatever reason), you will 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 find a replacement for you.
Your reasons for wanting to leave still exist. Conditions are just a bit
more tolerable in the short term because of a raise, promotion or promises
made to keep you.
Decent and well-managed companies don’t make counteroffers, EVER!! Their
policies are fair and equitable. They will not be subjected to counter offer
coercion or what one may perceive as blackmail.
IF THE URGE TO ACCEPT A COUNTEROFFER HITS YOU, KEEP ON
CLEANING OUT YOUR DESK AS YOU COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS!!!!
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