Facing Pressure from a Job Consultant: How Should I Handle This Threatening Situation?

The consultant is based in Singapore and also has a branch in Chennai. Last month, I had an interview in Chennai and received a job offer.

The reason for not joining is:

I am a civil engineer. My current job is in a managerial position at the new airport, where my duties involve supervising complete airport-related construction. I am content with my current employer and am exploring better opportunities to enhance my career.

Pay is not the only aspect I am considering. I am dissatisfied with the responsibilities the new job offers. While the pay is slightly higher than what I currently receive, I have experience working on large projects. The new company I was considering joining is a subcontractor, and the project they are handling will be completed relatively quickly. I am concerned about job security after the project concludes, as I have a family and responsibilities. I do not wish to jeopardize my job; therefore, I have decided to stay with my current employer, with whom I have been working for the past ten years.

Since last week, the consultant has been pressuring me to accept the new job, threatening to inform my current employer if I do not comply. He mentioned that unless I pay him 15% of my annual CTC (which will be around 16 lakh rupees with my current employer), he will disclose the information.

I am worried that if I do not pay, he will inform my current employer, leading to me losing my job. I seek your advice on what I should do as I am extremely concerned.

Your suggestions are appreciated.

Thanks & Regards,

M. Faiz Ahmed

Email: mohammedfaizahmed@hotmail.com

Hi Md Ahmed,

I am too young to suggest, but I still feel concerned about the trouble you are facing. I believe the decision you have made is not wrong. It's commendable that you are loyal to your employer, even though you have received a good offer from outside the company. Let the consultancy take any action they want; there will be no harm in respect to your job. You have served for 10 years in your current company, so it's not that easy for them to terminate you after hearing any news from an external consultancy.

Keep faith in God and continue working as hard as you have been until now. Good luck with your future assignments.

Take care,

Prathamesh P. Khobare
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Dear Faiz,

Don't worry, nobody will spoil your life. Don't pay anything to that consultant. If they called your HR, it's not a problem. You attended the interview and got the offer, but you are not ready to join. It is not an issue. Don't take it seriously, boss.

Thanks & Regards,

Ramakrishna.

Hi,

I am too young to suggest, but I still feel some concern as you are in trouble. If you have been working for the past 10 years, why do you suddenly want to make a change? Secondly, I believe before going for the interview, you were aware of the whole job profile, and only then did you decide to proceed with the interview.

If you say that you went for the interview without knowing the job description, that is not acceptable. I can understand your state of mind as well as the situation with the consultant.

I'm not taking his side, but yes, your actions show irresponsibility. You have wasted your time, the consultant's time, and the new company's time. However, if you truly wish to save your job, I think you must clearly inform your boss that you went for the interview, got selected, but found the company not as good as your current organization.

If you don't tell the truth, the consultant may try to blackmail you. Be bold and speak the truth in a decent manner to your management. As you are an older employee, they will trust you.

I hope you do not mind my comments.

Regards,

Priya Arora
Manager-HR
HRFacility.com
New Delhi

Dear Ahmed,

Please email me at 9associates@in.com. I am here to assist you. Don't feel harassed and try not to lose your patience.

Also, please consider the challenges the consultant has faced. It is extremely tough for consultants to handle offer dropouts or credit notes when a candidate leaves within the specified period. While you might have made the right decision based on your situation, the consultant has dedicated a significant amount of time and money to this process.

Thank you,
9 Associates

It is your right to join or not to join, but your responsibility towards the consultant. Please explain the circumstances for not joining and feel sorry as the consultant has invested time and money in you.

Regards,
K.L. Dhawan

Dear Mr. Ahmed,

I would strongly recommend you to stick to the fact that being honest will not harm you. You haven't committed a sin; it's just that you have exercised your liberty to look elsewhere. As said before, be a bit gutsy to express the situation to your boss in as simple and clear a manner as possible. I am sure it would not be easy for your employer to ignore the sincerity behind this predicament.

Hope something works out for you.

Thanks,
Mohit
mohit.sharma@uk.ngrid.com