Why You Should Never Accept A Counteroffer

You’ve decided to resign. After carefully weighing your options, you have accepted a position with a new company. 

During your resignation meeting, your boss provides a counteroffer. 

You’re flattered. 

You’re relieved – now you can stay and deal with the devil you know instead of the devil you don’t know. 

You’re emotionally wrought with the idea of leaving a company so obviously interested in keeping you. 

Or are they?

Accepting a counteroffer is a huge career mistake. 

Some questions you need to ask yourself:

1. Where was this money yesterday? Were they holding out trying to underpay you?
2. How long have you been worth this inflated amount? Are they going to retroactively pay you for the past year or five years at this new payment amount?
3. Was this really a raise they were planning to give you anyway, but simply gave it to you early? How will this affect pay in the future?
4. Now that your boss knows your loyalty to the company is questionable will you be overlooked for promotions or raises in the future? Will your job be first on the chopping block if they need to make budget cuts for someone who will work cheaper?
5. How will your coworkers view you once word gets out? You threatened to quit and were pacified with more money.

Statistics show the probability you will leave voluntarily or will be fired within six to twelve months after accepting the counteroffer are extremely high. 

Remember the reason(s) you wanted to leave your company in the first place. Once the dust settles from your upheaval, things will likely go back to normal and you’d be up against the same problems you were dealing with when you decided to resign.