Feeling Torn Between Job Offers and Loyalty: How Would You Decide?

Dear All,

I have been working with a manufacturing company for the past 4.5 years. A few months back, when I was not looking for a job change, I discussed appraisals with my boss and learned that we will not have any increments this year. My boss also advised me to start looking for a new job as soon as possible. Now, I have two good job offers in hand, but my boss is urging me to stay with the current company and has matched the salary offered by the new company. I am feeling emotionally pressured to remain with the current company. I would appreciate your comments on this matter promptly to help me decide on the next steps.

Please respond. Thank you!

Hello harsh_m2005,

This is a standard tactic/step (depends on which way one wants to look at it) of any boss/superior.

Please don't blame him for his action - after all, he is doing his job. Wouldn't you do the same if any of your juniors reporting to you quits?

We face this situation very regularly - in fact, this constitutes a standard counseling step for any of our candidates before resigning: on how to handle this situation, which is to be expected (in fact, one should be surprised if this situation doesn't happen).

There's also another way of looking at the situation: you seem to have been taken for granted - that you won't ever leave the present company. If that weren't so, your boss wouldn't have said that there will not be any increments. There's a quote - I think by Peter Drucker - "The moment you are felt to be indispensable (by yourself or by others in the set-up), that's the time to move on. For none is indispensable."

Now, that doesn't mean that you have to go by what he says. Please don't mix up issues. Your next step has to be decided by what you will be gaining by making the move and where you will have to make compromises/adjustments. Please note that in such situations, there's nothing called a perfect move. It will always be a mix - it's up to you to decide your priorities at that point in time (since priorities keep changing in one's lifetime) and how they are being achieved by making the specific move/change. Be very firm, but polite, when you talk to others about your decision.

All the Best.

Rgds,

TS

Dear All,

Your suggestions are truly respectable. I understand that this has happened only after my thought of resignation. I also know that if I would have stayed in this company without any expectations, my salary wouldn't have jumped. However, if I stay in the current (existing) company, I will surely earn 10-15% extra, and if I leave, I will miss the golden opportunity of working with a listed company having a turnover of 4000 Cr.

The existing company is about 35 km from my residence, whereas the new one is about 8 km away. A few months ago, my boss, who has very close relations with me, shared that I would not get any kind of rise in the current salary, but is now offering me a hike of 50% with immediate effect.

I also know that I am the weakest point in the department; losing me will affect the entire functioning of the department for at least six months. I am under a lot of pressure. Kindly comment!

Hello harsh_m2005,

Like I mentioned earlier, please don't mix up issues in your mind, since what you express through your mouth or give away through your body language depends on what you think. A smart boss or HR professional can see through it and then adjust pressure accordingly.

Also, as I mentioned earlier, check for yourself what your current priorities are and whether the present company or the new company will better satisfy them. While you go through this exercise in your head, please don't allow any other factors to hinder your thought process. There are things that one has to 'think from the heart' and some things that one has to 'think from the head'. Your situation belongs to the latter category – as I mentioned, just don't mix things up.

From what you mentioned, this seems to be a good opportunity. However, the final call has to be yours, as it's your career.

Regards, TS

Hello Harsh,

Mr. Tajsateesh has given you valuable advice. To make it simple, you can note down on paper the positives and negatives of both the existing company and the new company, and prioritize what matters most to you:

- Job profile and future prospects in the existing or new place
- Financial benefit
- Family life/work-life balance

Please do not get into an emotional trap. Having close relations with someone is different from professional life. Think and make the right decision so that you will not have to regret it tomorrow. Once you make the decision, stick to it.

Best wishes.

Regards,
Vaishalee

Hi Harsh,

I find you in a very similar position to mine, the sole difference being that I don't belong to an established company as you do.

Nevertheless, it was just a few months back when I thought, and I am sure I was indispensable to the company. The reason... I was their only employee! At that time, my boss was sugar-coated, and he convinced me not to leave come what may. As it was my first job, my heart and soul were in the company, and I decided not to leave, despite the fact that I had a lucrative offer from my own client!

My boss used to make promises like "we won't hire anyone above you as you are the perfect one, you know it all, and whatnot!"

Two months more, I struggled alone, and all the work poured over me. Other than just the work, the frustrations of lack of business were also poured on me. Whatever happened for good was my boss's; whatever happened for bad was mine!

Now the scene is that I am having two seniors dancing on my head. They don't know even a zilch about the product, which I groomed and adopted like my own product. And now that sugar-coated boss has gone on hibernation, leaving the company in the hands of these two seniors.

Who am I to blame... Myself! Now I am moving out, and I know my work can easily be taken care of by my seniors. But yes, my clients will remain mine. They used to buy our products partly because of my rapport with them and partly because of the quality of the product. But the world doesn't stop after I leave.

So, my friend, even if you decide to leave, remember that you can and will be substituted by anyone else. And if you decide to stay back, remember that a lot will depend on you. Your performance will be more critically looked at, and more will be expected out of you. And if you don't get even a dry nut out of the efforts, then ask yourself, are you in the Charity Business!?

So take a very realistic decision. Your friends here have already shown you a lot of light. But the path to follow will remain yours, and the onus of it as well.

Take Care and All the Luck! Anshu