What do you think about counter-offers when trying to leave?
At my prior job, I put in my two weeks notice and had a few discussions with my supervisor and the department head. My supervisor wanted me to stay really badly but I told them that I had gotten an offer for slightly more in salary (like $1500 more) and I was getting better benefits. Its all true, no nonsense there, but I didnt specify the amount of increase or salary in any way. The department head said he wouldnt do a counter-offer because they basically just dont do that. So I accepted the new job offer the next day and then kept on trucking.
About a week before I left, the department head asks if I changed my mind and want to stay. No concessions or anything. I said I am not backing out from the new job. I had already signed the job offer and been making steps to go on. Two days before I left, he messages me and asks if I am serious about leaving and he said he would be willing to make a counter-offer now. He said he would match whatever I was given. However, the new benefits at the time were very important to me because I get way more time off annually and better medical coverage which helped with the birth of my daughter. I also had to travel a lot on the previous job, which I didnt dislike, but could be bad with a newborn. I was kind of cheesed off at that point honestly, which it shouldnt be an emotional decision, and I said that I wasnt interested in staying.
I left on good terms, but the run around with the counter-offer and doing it with so little time left just didnt make sense to me or appeal to me whatsoever. I tend to think of it all as me being resolute and that they were not taking my intention to leave seriously enough, but sometimes I wonder if thats more common than I think it would be and maybe should have been open to negotiatons.
In this particular case, I think you made the right call. It seems the new job offered more than just salary as a perk.
But counter offers by your current employer are a thing, more common in some industries over another. If you have a good relationship with your employer, there is nothing wrong with accepting a counter offer. However, you take it before you give your official letter of resignation. After that, it just gets awkward cause HR has already started on the paperwork to post your position as open. ---
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