Why You Shouldn't Take a Counteroffer

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I have accepted an offer from another company. My current employer is trying to entice me to stay with a sizeable raise and promotion. I mistakenly gave them a list of conditions under which I would stay and they unexpectedly met them all. The conditions included a promotion and sizeable raise and a defined career path. I immediately regret giving them a chance to make this decision so difficult. I am at a point now where I either burn the bridge with the current employer or the prospective employer. After reading all of the career advice on various web sites and blogs, my gut tells me to get out and keep my commitment to the new employer.

RLS of IL 9:36PM April 20, 2012

This is a great piece on counter offers. As an executive search proffessional we can often tell if someone is looking to just leverage an outside offer. Almost 100% of the time it does not work out for the candidate. If money is your only reason for leaving "or staying" then you will be bought by the next high bidder. You have to love your work. If you don't then you need to find something else to do.
The world has changed so much. Finding the right firm to grow with is important. Think long and hard. Also, with the mass use of Linked In everyone knows everyone. No hiding.
As an employer you have to treat your employees right or someone else will.

Kenneth Vancini of MA 8:02AM April 17, 2012

I accepted a counter offer once. My primary motivation for leaving was financial, I let my then current employ know this. The job I was going to would have been a 40% pay increase and a promotion. My then current employer countered the following day, with an 85% pay increase and a promotion. I was told that had been planning to do this within the next few months, but I had concerns similar to those in your article. I voiced my concerns and to allay them, they gave me a 1 year contract guaranteeing my employment. I have received generous annual increases every year since. I am still with the same employer over 5 years later.
Was my experience and exception? Perhaps, but sometimes threatening to leave a company wakes management up to the fact they're about to loose a good person because they're not being treated or compensated fairly.
My advice, if you do accept a counter offer, make sure to get a 1 or more year contract guaranteeing your employment except in the most extreme cases of gross negligence as part of the deal.

Anon of MA 11:15AM April 04, 2012

I have accepted a counter offer, it worked out great for everyone. It was was in a small office for a small city. I stayed for an additional 3 years and then I finally moved on. I believe that every situation is different and should be considered at it own merit.

Bolsa of NM 8:13AM April 04, 2012

If I ever get a counter offer, I would ask. If you think I am worth so much, then make it retroactive for two years. You should have been paying me that much already. If they refuse to raise you retroactively, then leave and take the new company!

Charles E. Martin 3:40AM April 03, 2012

"We have never given a counteroffer",sounds like a tough HR manager.
People can be not so happy but are doing their best and always and I respect those people, they are the real people helping the society.
"Happy" is a relative thing, it is human nature, you are never going to be absolutely happy in your workplace. or at your home.

whoever of AL 4:06PM March 29, 2012

We have never given a counteroffer. When someone says they have an offer from XYZ Company making x dollars, we tell them good luck in their future career. The thought being that they must not be happy here and if they looked elsewhere once, they'll do it again. No one is irreplaceable.

The Other Dawn of CT 2:13PM March 26, 2012