SO, YOU have finally decided to quit the job! Money, work hours, lack of job satisfaction or some such issue must be behind your decision. Or, you have a better offer strapped under your belt and are all set to say, `I quit'. After a conscious deliberation, you let the cat out of the bag. No sooner you drop the bombshell than there is a mad scramble to keep you on board. The manager tries to woo you back with an irresistible pay hike or promotion. You can just about picture a leering hunter eyeing his prey fall for the bait!
Against your better judgment, you give in to the temptation and take accept the offer. After all, who can resist the compelling ego-boost at being implored to stay on? You have successfully outfoxed the management and pretend to continue work as if nothing ever happened.
But, is it really a case of all is well that ends well? Alas, try as you might, but things can never be the same again. Here's what goes on behind the scenes as you obliviously go about your work as usual.
Playing for time
While you bask in the glory of having `got what I wanted', your days are already numbered as the management sets the wheels in motion to chuck you, come first opportunity. The counter offer was just an insipid platitude to keep you hanging around till they can find a suitable replacement. You will find yourself left out in the cold before you can even think of saying, `I quit' again.
The plot thickens
The counter offer may be a face-saving gesture for the manager as he may consider it his prerogative to fire you. You cannot fire the boss; but rest assured that he will do so at his own sweet time.
Loyalty in question
Meanwhile, your subsequent actions will acquire a shadow of suspicion and untrustworthiness. You will find yourself repeatedly being passed up for promotions and prized assignments as the quitting act reeks of insufferable treachery. Also, your name will undoubtedly figure on the top of the `hit list' and you will be the first one to face the axe whenever the situation arises. Thus, a counter offer could mean a very uncomfortable and possibly short-lived stay at the company.
Peer animosity
Things get progressively worse! You are viewed as the defector in the ranks and lose peer respect and acceptance. Formerly amiable colleagues could go out of their way to avoid you and you find yourself being alienated.
These facts acquire the seal of confirmation from a National Business Employment Weekly survey result which says that 89% of the people accepting counter offers are let go or voluntarily leave in 6 months itself!
So, pause to ponder on the following points before you think of saying `Yes' to that alluring counter offer.
What's your battle?
Do not lose sight of the real issues in the face of a fatter pay cheque or higher job title. Focus on what brought you to the point of leaving - be it hours of work, impossible deadlines, inefficient managers, unfavourable work conditions, etc. Will the perks that are being offered answer your initial objections? If not, you will be back to square one as the same circumstances that prompted you to consider a change will remain. Afterall, as it is often said, `A raise won't permanently cushion thorns in the nest'.
Why now?
Did it take your announcement to open the management's eyes to your value? If you are really worthy of the offer, why did you have to consider resigning to get them around? Think, think!
Is it blackmail?
Is your decision merely a threatening tactic to wring out some more perks or money from the company? Well, no one likes being blackmailed, especially not the boss! It is always better to go in for a straightforward across the table discussion.
What's more, can you really live with the knowledge that you have well and truly been bought by the `buyback' offer?
So, tempting as it maybe to accept the cheesy offer rather than taking a chance with a new job, it's always better to stand by your decision and bow out gracefully.
However, there are always exceptional cases where accepting a counter offer is genuine and works out to the benefit of all concerned. Just make sure that you keep the above points in mind to make it a gamble worth taking!
Against your better judgment, you give in to the temptation and take accept the offer. After all, who can resist the compelling ego-boost at being implored to stay on? You have successfully outfoxed the management and pretend to continue work as if nothing ever happened.
But, is it really a case of all is well that ends well? Alas, try as you might, but things can never be the same again. Here's what goes on behind the scenes as you obliviously go about your work as usual.
Playing for time
While you bask in the glory of having `got what I wanted', your days are already numbered as the management sets the wheels in motion to chuck you, come first opportunity. The counter offer was just an insipid platitude to keep you hanging around till they can find a suitable replacement. You will find yourself left out in the cold before you can even think of saying, `I quit' again.
The plot thickens
The counter offer may be a face-saving gesture for the manager as he may consider it his prerogative to fire you. You cannot fire the boss; but rest assured that he will do so at his own sweet time.
Loyalty in question
Meanwhile, your subsequent actions will acquire a shadow of suspicion and untrustworthiness. You will find yourself repeatedly being passed up for promotions and prized assignments as the quitting act reeks of insufferable treachery. Also, your name will undoubtedly figure on the top of the `hit list' and you will be the first one to face the axe whenever the situation arises. Thus, a counter offer could mean a very uncomfortable and possibly short-lived stay at the company.
Peer animosity
Things get progressively worse! You are viewed as the defector in the ranks and lose peer respect and acceptance. Formerly amiable colleagues could go out of their way to avoid you and you find yourself being alienated.
These facts acquire the seal of confirmation from a National Business Employment Weekly survey result which says that 89% of the people accepting counter offers are let go or voluntarily leave in 6 months itself!
So, pause to ponder on the following points before you think of saying `Yes' to that alluring counter offer.
What's your battle?
Do not lose sight of the real issues in the face of a fatter pay cheque or higher job title. Focus on what brought you to the point of leaving - be it hours of work, impossible deadlines, inefficient managers, unfavourable work conditions, etc. Will the perks that are being offered answer your initial objections? If not, you will be back to square one as the same circumstances that prompted you to consider a change will remain. Afterall, as it is often said, `A raise won't permanently cushion thorns in the nest'.
Why now?
Did it take your announcement to open the management's eyes to your value? If you are really worthy of the offer, why did you have to consider resigning to get them around? Think, think!
Is it blackmail?
Is your decision merely a threatening tactic to wring out some more perks or money from the company? Well, no one likes being blackmailed, especially not the boss! It is always better to go in for a straightforward across the table discussion.
What's more, can you really live with the knowledge that you have well and truly been bought by the `buyback' offer?
So, tempting as it maybe to accept the cheesy offer rather than taking a chance with a new job, it's always better to stand by your decision and bow out gracefully.
However, there are always exceptional cases where accepting a counter offer is genuine and works out to the benefit of all concerned. Just make sure that you keep the above points in mind to make it a gamble worth taking!
PAYAL AGARWAL
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