(Reprinted with permission from Paul Hawkinson from the National Business
Employment Weekly, Sunday, December 11, 1983)
A Raise won't permanently cushion thorns in the nest. Mathew Henry, the
17th-century writer said, "Many a dangerous temptation comes to us in fine gay
colours that are but skin deep." The same can be said for counteroffers, those
magnetic enticements designed to lure you back into the nest after you've
decided it's time to fly away.
The litany of horror stories I have come across in my years as an executive
recruiter, consultant and publisher, provides a litmus test that clearly
indicates counteroffers should never be accepted....EVER!
I define a counteroffer simply as an inducement from your current employer to
get you to stay after you've nnounced 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 tell
your employer about anyway as a "they-want-me-but-I'm-staying-with-you" ploy.
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 true counteroffer, however, carries an actual threat to quit.
Interviews with employers who make counteroffers, and employees who accept
them, have shown that as tempting as they may be, acceptance may cause career
suicide. During the past 20 years, I have seen only isolated incidents in which
an accepted counteroffer has benefited the employee. Consider the problem in its
proper perspective.
What really goes through a boss's mind when someone quits?
- "This couldn't be happening at a worse time."
- "This is one of my best people. If I let him quit now, it'll wreak havoc
on the morale of thedepartment."
- "I've already got one opening in my department, I don't need another right
now."
- "This will probably screw up the entire vacation schedule."
- "I'm working as hard as I can, and I don't need to do his work, too."
- "My review is coming up and this will make me look bad."
- "Maybe I can keep him on until I find a suitable replacement."
What will the boss say to keep you in the nest? Some of these comments are
common.
- "I'm really shocked. I thought you were as happy with us as we are with
you. Let's discuss it beforeyou make your final decision."
- "Aw, gee, I've been meaning to tell you about the great plans we have for
you, but it's been confidential until now."
- "The V.P. has you in mind for some exciting and expanding
responsibilities."
- "Your raise was schedule to go into effect next quarter, but we'll make it
effective immediately."
- "You're going to work for who?"
Let's face it. When someone quits, it's a direct reflection on the boss.
Unless you're really incompetent or a destructive thorn in his side, the boss
might look bad by "allowing" you to go. His gut reaction is to do what has to be
done to keep you from leaving until he's ready. That's human nature.
Unfortunately, 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 making its 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 replace you.
Your reasons for wanting to leave still exist. Conditions are just made a
bit more tolerable in the short term because of the raise, promotion or
promises made to keep you.
Counteroffers are only made in response to a threat to quit. Will you have
to solicit an offer and threaten to quit every time you deserve better working
conditions?
Decent and well-managed companies don't make counteroffers? EVER!
Their policies are fair and equitable. They will not be subjected to
"counteroffer coercion" or what they perceive as blackmail.
If the urge to accept a counteroffer hits you, keep on cleaning out your desk
as you count your blessings.