Dealing with a counterbid

You've already made up your mind and you want to go for that new job. However, your current employer comes up with a counter-offer, hoping to persuade you not to leave the organisation.

Counteroffers are quite common, but there are few statistics available about them. However, research into this phenomenon always brings up one fact: most people who respond to a counterbid still leave their employer within twelve months. Many more do so after just three to six months.

A counter-offer comes in various forms: a raise, additional benefits, a long-awaited promotion or job title, more responsibility, a new position, more involvement in challenging projects, ...

Reasons why your employer may offer a counterbid

Of course you can see a counter-offer as a compliment, a strong signal that they are making an effort to keep you. But also look beyond that. Because perhaps your current employer has other reasons to make you a counter-offer. For example:

Replacing an employee can be expensive
Your employer's budget can be turned upside down by having to find a replacement unexpectedly
Your employer doesn't have time to look for a replacement right now
Your employer wants to keep you until they have found a replacement
They want you to finish the project you are working on
They currently do not have the time to train a new employee
Losing an employee can be a negative point for your manager.

To stay or to leave?

There is almost never a good reason to take a counter-offer and stay where you are. Please take the following points into account when making your decision:

Even if you stay, your loyalty will always be questioned
The point mentioned above will make further promotion opportunities more difficult
Your colleagues will look at you differently
Why are they now offering you what you deserved before?
Has the problem that made you quit been solved?

But suppose you decide to stay?

Then don't be naive. It is not because you have accepted the counter-offer that your resignation will be forgotten. You will therefore have to do your very best to regain the trust of your employer.

You may discover that you have to work harder than your colleagues to prove your loyalty to the company and your value as a long-term asset. Your new life with your "old" employer will not be easy.

Accepting a counterbid is certainly not the safe option. If you have made a conscious choice in advance to accept another job, thank your employer for the opportunity and confirm your intention to leave. Stand firm.

Find out more on how to neatly submit your resignation, and when you finally start in your new job, then read our tips on starting with a new employer.