Matthew 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 next after
you've decided it's time to fly away.
The litany of horror stories I've 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 announced 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 you worth by letting your boss know you have other
options. Mention of a true offer, 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've seen only isolated
incidents in which an accepted counteroffer has benefitted the employee.
Consider the problem in its proper perspective.
What really goes through a boss's mind when someone quits?
- This couldn't
happen 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 the department.
- I've already
got one opening in my department. I don't need another right now.
- I'm working as
hard as I can, and I don't need to do his work, too.
- If I lose another
good employee, the company might decide to 'lose' me 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 next? Some of these comments are common:
- I'm really shocked.
I thought you were happy with us as we are with you. Let's discuss
it before you make your final decision.
- Aw gee, I've
been meaning to tell you about the great plans we have for you. But
they have been confidential until now.
- The V.P. has
you in mind for some exciting and expanding responsibilities.
- Your raise was
scheduled 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
employment 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'll always be considered
a fidelity risk. Having once demonstrated your lack of loyalty (for
whatever reason), you'll 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 won't be subjected to counteroffer
coercion or whatever they perceive as blackmail.
If an urge to accept
a counteroffer hits you, continue to clean out your desk as you count
your blessings.
Written
by Paul Hawkinson
Reprinted from the:
National Business Employment Weekly
April 19 - April 25, 1999
