Getting a counteroffer after handing in your resignation might feel like hitting the jackpot. Suddenly, you are getting the raise, recognition, or perks you’ve been waiting for. But before you celebrate, consider this: accepting a counteroffer is often a short-term fix for a long-term problem – like putting a band-aid on a broken bone.
According to the 2017 study “Current Thinking on Counteroffers” by Dow Scott and Thomas McMullen, staying after accepting a counteroffer doesn’t guarantee happiness or longevity:
- Only 23% of employees stayed for at least three years.
- 30% left within three years.
- 27% left within just one year.
- 20% were actively looking for the next exit immediately.
Even if you stay, the odds of long-term satisfaction are not in your favor. Here’s why.
1. They know you’ve been looking
When you announce your resignation, your employer realizes you’ve been exploring other opportunities. Even if they convince you to stay, trust might be eroded.
That lingering doubt can impact how your contributions are viewed moving forward. Your loyalty may be questioned, and instead of celebrating your commitment, they may start watching for signs that you are ready to jump ship again.
2. The real reasons you wanted to leave haven’t changed
Think back: why did you start job hunting in the first place?
- Were you feeling undervalued?
- Was the workload overwhelming?
- Did you lack growth opportunities or feel unfulfilled?
A counteroffer might address surface-level issues – like money or a new title – but it rarely solves the deeper problems. Once the initial excitement of the raise or perk wears off, those same frustrations often resurface, leaving you back at square one.
3. If it takes a resignation to be valued, that’s a red flag
Here’s a harsh truth: if your employer only offers you a raise or recognition when you threaten to leave, it shows they were nott willing to invest in you until their hand was forced.
Great workplaces value and support their employees consistently – not just when they feel pressure. If they didn’t appreciate your contributions before your resignation, why would that change after?
4. Counteroffers are often a quick fix for the company, not you
Employers do not want to lose talented employees, but their reasons for keeping you might be more about convenience than appreciation. Hiring replacements is expensive and time-consuming, and keeping you on board might feel like the easier option in the moment.
But if the company is not addressing the root causes of your dissatisfaction, how long before you find yourself in the same situation again?
What it comes down to
Accepting a counteroffer can feel like a win, but the reality is often different. It doesn’t fix the underlying issues that made you want to leave, and statistics show that most people who accept counter offers still leave within a few years.
If it takes a resignation letter to get noticed, it is probably time to move on. Look for a role where you are valued, supported, and appreciated from the start – without needing to threaten your departure to get what you deserve.
