How to Handle a Counter Offer
If you resign and your employer decides to offer you a more attractive salary or overall job package in order to persuade you to stay, you have been “counter offered”.
Counter offers are more common than you might think. Recruiting quality people can be an expensive and time-consuming process for employers and you might unexpectedly find yourself in a bargaining position but beware, after the initial flattery and extra cash have lost their appeal, you may still be left feeling exactly as you did when you started looking for a new job.
If your employer tries to persuade you to stay by offering you a pay rise equal to, or above your new job offer you might first want to ask yourself why it took the threat of leaving to bring it about.
Most of us are easily flattered and the offer of more money coupled with colleagues telling you “the place won’t be the same without you” can easily make you forget the reasons you wanted to leave in the first place.
Don’t feel guilty and always take the time to think the situation through carefully before responding to a counter offer.
And if you find yourself being tempted, remember this: national statistics show that 89% of all employees who accept a counter offer leave within the next 6 months
So if you receive a counter offer, don’t be surprised - but don’t be fooled either. And don’t forget you can always discuss the offer through with your consultant.
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