Giving your boss an ultimatum
Discussion
Nobody likes receiving an ultimatum, but hear me out.
I've got a job offer which pays 30% more than my current job although it is the same role, if my current employer matched the job offer I would stay for the sake of convenience and comfort although I appreciate it may put a stop to future opportunities!
What is the tactful way to do this, and do I need to prove to my boss I have a job offer? I would be more comfortable if he were not privy of the new employer.
1. Accept the new offer and then resign from my current position, when asked why say I have a job offer with more money, see if they offer.
2. Tell them I am leaving unless they match it
3. Any other way?
I've got a job offer which pays 30% more than my current job although it is the same role, if my current employer matched the job offer I would stay for the sake of convenience and comfort although I appreciate it may put a stop to future opportunities!
What is the tactful way to do this, and do I need to prove to my boss I have a job offer? I would be more comfortable if he were not privy of the new employer.
1. Accept the new offer and then resign from my current position, when asked why say I have a job offer with more money, see if they offer.
2. Tell them I am leaving unless they match it
3. Any other way?
Edited by HuntD on Tuesday 9th May 19:24
Don't go in all guns blazing, I was offered a couple of jobs doing exactly the same job as I am doing now but with a 7k a year difference in salary, I approached my boss with my offer letters and said I was happy in my current job but felt undervalued, I explained that I would be happy to stay if they could pay me a similar amount but if they couldn't I would take the other job and leave, it was a significant increase (almost 20%).
I was/am in the position where my knowledge of the workplace and systems would have left them seriously in the s
t if I did leave but never mentioned this.
It took a few meetings and frank discussions but they offered me £6k more to stay, which I gratefully accepted, better the devil you know I say, upon reflection and meeting the guy who took the new job I turned down I am very happy, I would have been walking into a ststorm which wasn't mentioned at interview 
I was/am in the position where my knowledge of the workplace and systems would have left them seriously in the s
t if I did leave but never mentioned this.It took a few meetings and frank discussions but they offered me £6k more to stay, which I gratefully accepted, better the devil you know I say, upon reflection and meeting the guy who took the new job I turned down I am very happy, I would have been walking into a s
tstorm which wasn't mentioned at interview 3. No need to be so extreme with option 2, unless you don't have a good relationship with your current boss.
Simply mention that you've had an offer from company X for significantly more than you're currently on, that you like your job, for well with the company, blah embellish blah, but that the offer would make a katerial difference to your life. Therefore you'd be interested to see what they can offer in the circumstances.
Simply mention that you've had an offer from company X for significantly more than you're currently on, that you like your job, for well with the company, blah embellish blah, but that the offer would make a katerial difference to your life. Therefore you'd be interested to see what they can offer in the circumstances.
menguin said:
3. No need to be so extreme with option 2, unless you don't have a good relationship with your current boss.
Simply mention that you've had an offer from company X for significantly more than you're currently on, that you like your job, for well with the company, blah embellish blah, but that the offer would make a katerial difference to your life. Therefore you'd be interested to see what they can offer in the circumstances.
This is what I was looking for. Simply mention that you've had an offer from company X for significantly more than you're currently on, that you like your job, for well with the company, blah embellish blah, but that the offer would make a katerial difference to your life. Therefore you'd be interested to see what they can offer in the circumstances.
I've done the maths and the new role is an extra £550 every month after tax, plus a performance bonus each month. A significant amount given I am a lower rate tax payer.
If I were your boss I'd be wondering who initiated the conversation with the other company and whether I would be setting a precedent with my other employees by offering more money as a result.
It would come down to whether I felt I could replace you with enough ease and at a close enough cost to current, versus whether you had something I didn't want to lose and you would be discreet about the situation.
TL:DR
If you're easy to replace and/or a gossip, I'd let you leave without a counter offer.
It would come down to whether I felt I could replace you with enough ease and at a close enough cost to current, versus whether you had something I didn't want to lose and you would be discreet about the situation.
TL:DR
If you're easy to replace and/or a gossip, I'd let you leave without a counter offer.
Option 1, surely?
It automatically covers all the angles. If your employer is prepared to pay to get you to stay, they'll tell you that when you hand your notice in.
Think about it this way: if you hand your notice in and they say "thanks very much, see you later", they were never going to match a 30% rise to get you to stay.
It automatically covers all the angles. If your employer is prepared to pay to get you to stay, they'll tell you that when you hand your notice in.
Think about it this way: if you hand your notice in and they say "thanks very much, see you later", they were never going to match a 30% rise to get you to stay.
PorkInsider said:
Option 1, surely?
It automatically covers all the angles. If your employer is prepared to pay to get you to stay, they'll tell you that when you hand your notice in.
Think about it this way: if you hand your notice in and they say "thanks very much, see you later", they were never going to match a 30% rise to get you to stay.
Absolutely this. I handed my notice in on my last job and was immediately offered more money to stay.It automatically covers all the angles. If your employer is prepared to pay to get you to stay, they'll tell you that when you hand your notice in.
Think about it this way: if you hand your notice in and they say "thanks very much, see you later", they were never going to match a 30% rise to get you to stay.
I then informed them that I was taking a pay cut but the new position was working days instead of shifts and that I`d already made my decision to leave.
grumbledoak said:
Don't.
Go, or don't go.
This.Go, or don't go.
Your current employer values you substantially below the market rate. If you enter into games of whether you'll accept 10 or 20% more or even if you go beyond the offer... guess where you'll be in two years time?
If you leave now it'll be a clean break, no one will have expectations raised and then dashed, whether that's you or either employer. You won't have burnt bridges and you won't continue to be undervalued.
Don't forget it's not just about salary. You'll join the new company with pretty much no protection in first 2 years. You'll lose years of service which in some cases means less pension protection, less holidays (but you can negotiate a lot of this) and any other additional benefits you currently get.
Then there is the unknown, the grass isn't always greener and you may hate the job (but sometimes it's best move ever).
Trying to hold your employer to ransom rarely works, if they offer you more then you are often ring fenced for any future increases, and you won't be very popular because others may try and do the same.
If it was me, I'd fully intend to take the new role so would resign, if asked I'd state I enjoy working there but have been approached for a new role with much better remuneration. I'd then carefully consider anything they came back with for the above reasons.
Another point, if you are aware you are working well below market rate then you should have perhaps been more proactive with your current employer. You could have put together a case for an increase, show market levels, show how your role has increased (if it has). there is no way they'd have given you 30% but might have put something together.
good luck!
Then there is the unknown, the grass isn't always greener and you may hate the job (but sometimes it's best move ever).
Trying to hold your employer to ransom rarely works, if they offer you more then you are often ring fenced for any future increases, and you won't be very popular because others may try and do the same.
If it was me, I'd fully intend to take the new role so would resign, if asked I'd state I enjoy working there but have been approached for a new role with much better remuneration. I'd then carefully consider anything they came back with for the above reasons.
Another point, if you are aware you are working well below market rate then you should have perhaps been more proactive with your current employer. You could have put together a case for an increase, show market levels, show how your role has increased (if it has). there is no way they'd have given you 30% but might have put something together.
good luck!
I was in this position (although change of role) and just had an honest chat with my boss about it. Said I was unsure what to do and wanted to know what the situation was in current role regarding development.
They matched the offer after a conversation and all worked out for the best!
They matched the offer after a conversation and all worked out for the best!
If you have been honest during pay review time then it shouldn't be a shock if you are leaving for a new job for more money if you have been upfront about wanting more cash.
I have always been offered more cash to stay when leaving, only took it (and associated promotion) once. It does burn the relationship with your existing employer though as they can feel blackmailed into paying out.
I have always been offered more cash to stay when leaving, only took it (and associated promotion) once. It does burn the relationship with your existing employer though as they can feel blackmailed into paying out.
Ultimatums are the wrong way. Make your choice. If you are going then put in your notice, leave with a handshake and go.
It's surprising how often those you kick on the way up are still around when you are are down so be professional and decisive and implement your decision in a businesslike way.
It's surprising how often those you kick on the way up are still around when you are are down so be professional and decisive and implement your decision in a businesslike way.
100% just be honest about it and have the conversation. I was in a similar position last year, wanted to change roles and also got offered a pay increase in the new role. My current employers wanted me to stay so agreed to let me switch roles and almost matched the pay on offer. I didn't want to leave the company but a slight change in career hence maybe a bit different to yourself.
The way they react will be a good indication anyway, if they throw a hissy fit and till you to leave you know you weren't valued and going anywhere anyways so would have stifled your career long term. Any manager that acts that way is also a bad manager.... A manager that sees you want to develop and progress will help you do that - like mine did.
The way they react will be a good indication anyway, if they throw a hissy fit and till you to leave you know you weren't valued and going anywhere anyways so would have stifled your career long term. Any manager that acts that way is also a bad manager.... A manager that sees you want to develop and progress will help you do that - like mine did.
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