I never take a counter offer. If I’ve decided to leave, it is usually about more than money and more money won’t fix the problem.
I understand what you’re saying, but it isn’t always true. MizPullin encountered a similar situation last year, when a competitor tried to lure her away from her current gig. She’s approached frequently by other companies, but the offer this time was too good to pass up. She handed over her resignation letter, and within the hour was visited by the prez* who handed it back to her (unopened). The end result was her company beating out the competitor and she stayed put. After a year, it’s obvious there are absolutely no hard feelings. (She actually got a note from the prez saying he understands that people’s loyalty is to family etc., leaving for more money is perfectly understandable, and that he’d done it himself).
*I don’t know if this is typical. The execs and board of her company seem unusually likable and easy going. Once on a golf outing, she photographed all the execs’ faces and their knobby, old-guy knees (everyone was in shorts). She put these pics on their internal website as a game and let her entire department play “match the executive legs to faces” with lunch as a prize. They were good-natured about it and found it funny.
If it doesn’t get you out from under a bad boss, there is never a reason to accept the counter. If she has driven out ‘several’ good people, you will be next after this. Doesn’t matter how much the people above her value you. She won’t.
More like “Get to dah choppa!”
It may be just me, and I know it isn’t “PC”, but I would prefer not to work for a female boss. Every woman boss I ever had or ever observed was incompetent for pretty much the exact same reasons the OP described. Almost as if the job was over their head from a technical and business perspective and they overcompensate by ruthlessly focusing on style over substance.
But that’s the problem. In MizPullin’s case it was strictly about money. The prez certainly thought so and responded accordingly. The OP is also looking at an “incompetent” supervisor in his current job and a chance to have a more flexible schedule at his new one.
Wow, someone in my department will be writing this post in the near future. I can even predict who it will be.
This worked out perfectly for you; you’re leaving a bad situation, but maintaining a good relationship with the company, and will probably be a hero to everyone when you do a great job as a contractor.
I disagree with the adultery reference; I don’t think people consider it a betrayal to move on to a better position anymore.
I do agree marriage is a good metaphor. If you decided to leave your spouse because they weren’t treating you right, would you stay if they promised to change?
My first boss (a woman whose advice has never steered me wrong) once told me, “Never accept a counteroffer.” Three times I’ve seen coworkers or friends accept a counteroffer and it’s never worked out for them- a few months later and they were let go or laid off, and didn’t have the new job to fall back on. When you tell your employer you’ve got a job offer, they know that you’re planning on leaving- so the only reason they are willing to counteroffer is to make sure that the work gets done until you can be replaced.
Interesting bump. How’s the consulting gig doing nearly a year later, Phlosphr?
I don’t think “don’t take the counteroffer” is right. I think counteroffers USUALLY suck, because the company is usually trying to give you the bare minimum to keep you in your current role. But occasionally it means the boss has woken up and realised the company really can’t run without you, and they’re going to start paying you what you’re really worth.
It sounds like the new job is better suited to you, and more interesting. So, what’s the counter offer like? If it’s “we’ll fire the supervisor, give you her job, and double whatever the new company is offering”, it’s probably worth taking. If it’s “we’ll give you a 10% pay increase but still not as much as the new job, and not change anything about the working conditions, and still not value your contribution” then don’t. Basically “which one do you prefer”? Don’t feel any pressure to stay just because it’s where you’re working currently: it’s a job, they have a way of saying you’re worth it to them – offering you good money and good working conditions.