Is turning down a counter offer a good decision?
It’s natural to be curious about job boards and other opportunities out there. You can’t be blamed for comparing salary, working environment and location against your current employment. If you’re in a situation where you have applied for another job, there is a reason as to why you have taken that action so, receiving a counter offer from your current employer is often not the answer. Counter offers are a lot more popular than many would think; however, recruiters see many of these offers fail. Is turning down a counter offer a good decision?
If you were to accept a counter offer from a current employer, there may be an increase in salary, but underlying issues will still be present. Distance, job scope, being underappreciated and long hours are issues that could lead to someone wanting to change employer. These issues don’t necessarily have to be negative yet accepting the offer would still be ignoring them. The only issue solved would be the rise in pay.
Your current employer making you a counter offer shows potential unfairness. If they’re willing to raise your salary now, why couldn’t this have been done earlier? An unfair company can be seen as desperate. Their counter offer may give you the idea they value you as an individual within the business, be that as it may they might just view you as something that can be bought. The company may also be unfair once the counter offer has been accepted, keeping you on a stagnant salary for the foreseeable future.
Damaged relationships with your employer is a factor when it comes to accepting or declining an offer. If you were to accept the offer, the relationship with your employer won’t be the same. Loyalty will be questioned and result in the atmosphere changing. Colleagues may be impacted by this offer and act differently, or even begin to exclude you.
Accepting a counter offer
If you decide to accept a counter offer, returning to the same place of employment may reduce your position of value. Views of others within the working environment may be that you’re not a team player. Not being valued could lead to no future promotions or being first out the door when a replacement is found.
Applying for another job and leaving your current employer shows a level of wanting to progress, so accepting a counter offer counteracts this. Eventually there will be disappointment, there is no challenge or feelings of accomplishment. Many new opportunities occur when beginning a new job, including career progression you may not have received in previous employment. Job seeking isn’t necessarily about finding a higher salary, it could be down to a career change or just the need to be challenged.
If you are positive that a counter offer is the right route for you to go down regarding your career, then let that be the right decision for you. In this situation always remember to negotiate and get any promises and decisions made down in writing. Always take into consideration what your long-term goals are and if they can be accomplished within your current employment. Before accepting a counter offer, make sure to think all these points through and decide where a counter offer is the right decision for you.