I need some opinions. After a few months of searching, I found a new job. Today, I turned in my resignation at work. When I turned it in, my manager asked me where I was going to work. I politely said that I’d prefer not to say and it was left at that. As I walked out the door, my manager said that I was one of the best supervisors that they have ever had and that she was really sorry to see me go. I told her that I appreciated her kind words. Then I went to my office. (We’ve always been on very good terms).
Ten minutes later, she knocks on my door and asks me if money is the issue. I told her that it wasn’t THE issue, but it was AN issue. (I feel that I’m underpaid for what I do). She asked me how much I’d been offered and I told her 14 dollars per hour, which is 1.65 more than what I’m making now. She then asked me if I’d consider staying if she could match that. I said I’d definitely reconsider my decision.
An hour later, she comes back and says that she needs proof on my new salary with my new managers name on company letterhead from my new employer. She said that HR needs this proof. I don’t actually have anything in writing stating my new salary and don’t feel comfortable asking my new employer to provide this. Is it common for a business to request such information? It just seems a bit odd that she’d expect me to approach my new manager and request something like that. I could understand if I were making 100,000 per year, but we’re only talking about 14 bucks per hour. As it stands now, she submitted a salary increase request to HR without my “proof” and we’re waiting to hear back from them.
The way I look at it, I shouldn’t have to provide anything. After all, I’ve already found my new job, it’s my current job that wants to keep me.
Don’t provide the requested document. If they can’t match based on their perception of your worth, then they’ll just have to lose you. Asking your new employer for such a document will be awkward at best, and could result in a situation that blows up in your face.
yep, i agree with ringo, don’t give them the document. if they want you to stay they should not only match but add some as well. they should also fix or at least try to resolve other issues that you feel stop you from being all that you can be.
i was ready to leave my company, money was not an issue with me. there were other more glaring problems that i didn’t think would be resolved. i was taking a pay cut and was going to work for a temp agency. they never asked me what the temp agency was paying me, i never mentioned money at all. they upped my pay, and promised to fix the problems.
Another vote for don’t do it. Either they think you are worth $14/hour (or more, plus resolving other issues) or they don’t. “Proving” whether someone else will pay it is irrelevant.
I agree with rocking chair. You are in a good position right now and it’s up to them to make the offer so attractive that you can’t pass it up. Exactly the same pay, with no other changes, isn’t that great a deal.
I would clarify with your boss that unless they make a better offer (including addressing any non-monetary issues you have with your current job), you are planning to take the new job. If HR won’t let them make an offer without proof of your new salary, tough shit. Not your problem.
Don’t do it. Never take a counteroffer, when jobs are concerned. If you stay, they KNOW that you’re looking for work elsewhere, and will be trying to replace you from that point on.
I wouldn’t do it either and I’d also ask my present employer to BEAT the new guy’s salary offer.
Especially if the new place can give you more chances to advance (you haven’t told us if this is the case or not). Why should you stay at the old place if all you’re gonna get is what the new people would have paid you, and the same position for years to come?
But Lightnin’ has a good point, too. They may try to start a paper trail on you if you stay and fire you down the road.
And if you accept a counter-offer and stay, things will never be the same. Your boss will resent you for throwing off her budget. They will demand and expect more work out of you for the money they’re giving you. And others will resent you as well.
I agree with the “Don’t do it” opinions. I also think that you need to look at the hoops they’re trying to make you jump through for a small increase, versus the starting wage of the new employer. If they’re starting you at a higher wage, you can only go up from there. Your current employer may match that salary, but where will they go from there?
Another, “don’t do it.” If they don’t think it’s worth it to beat the offer as you quoted it, then they really don’t want you all that much. It sounds like an attempt to lowball things (gee, he may be willing to settle for 12) without risk.
If you’re not worth $14 (or more) to them, then they won’t pay it. If you are, they should.
I have to respectfully disagree with telling the new employer about the salary match. They might just think you’re using them as a negotiation chip with your current employer, figure you’re not really serious about their job offer, and reconsider you for the position.
Presumably, you’ve just come an agreement with these people that was acceptable to both of you. Trying to get them into an auction now will just alienate them and make them think you’re an asshole.
In your own words money was “AN issue” not “the only” issue. So unless they fix those other issues, you’re still in a bad situation.
It sounds like you may have made a verbal (or even written) acceptance of the other offer? If so, it will reflect very poorly on you to change your mind. I wouldn’t fear getting sued or anything (though it’s conceivable…IANAL), but write that other company off, and anyone who knows the people there and so on. I had someone renege on a verbal acceptance for a position I offered inside my company. I’ll never make that person an offer again, despite knowing they’re very good at what they do.
Even if you get a lot more $, you’ve had to extort it out of your current employer. That’s bound to make your boss, and possibly your co-workers, resent you. Doesn’t bode well for future raises, either – especially if you’re now at or over the salary cap for your current job.
It sounds like you already submitted a resignation letter. Revoking that would also make you look indecisive.
Them asking you for written proof of a better offer is BS. OTOH, how can you not have a written offer (including salary) from your new job? I would never quit job #1 without an offer letter from job #2 in hand. (Not that offer letters are bullet proof, but once you’ve left your present company, you’re in a much worse bargaining position should company #2 claim you misunderstood the pay or other benefits package, etc.)
All things considered, not a bad problem to have. Best of luck!