New job/counter offer

esj13

Last week I had an interview for a job. I got it.
I currently work for a Local Authority, which I have done since 2019. I've developed a lot while I've been there, and last year I applied for a promotion and was not successful.
Ever since then I have felt a little resentment for the place considering the hard work I put in, and felt quite under-appreciated. 
Over the next year I have been considering my options.
I saw a role advertised with the company I used to work for, doing something I am very passionate about. My current role involves this side of things, but to a much lesser extent as my current role encompasses a lot more as well as it.

This new role offers a slight increase in salary, less responsibility (no line management of staff), and increased flexibility, with working from home for 3 out of 5 days.

Yesterday I informed my manager of this new role, who said she was absolutely gutted to lose me, but understood that I am young, have been through a lot durin gmy time there, both in terms of work, and my personal life. But I need to consider doing what is best for me.

This morning she asked to meet with me and asked if there is anything that she could offer me, that would encourage me to stay. 
She said this is the first time she has ever done this, and I can believe it with it being a local authority, such matters are not straightforward as my role would need to be re-evaluated and passed by executive members for approval. 

I love my job, but I have felt my opportunities are going to be elsewhere after not being offered the job I went for last time.
I have also been told horror stories about other people who have accepted counter offers, only to be dismissed later down the line as the offer is a way of filling the gaps until replacements can be found for who i snow seen as a disloyal member of the team.
Not sure this would work in a local authority, but when faced with the possibility, is it worth the chance?

I'm not as bothered by the money, as nice as it is to have more. The flexibility is what matters most to me, and I know in my current role, it's not going to be an easy fight, as as soon as it would be given to me, other members of the team would ask for it, even though their roles are more location based than mine.
My role has also developed and grown since I started it, and I know it is going to again in the future, with it becoming more senior, as the team's objectives are increasing.
And i have been the only person to do the job as my role was created and I was the first to be appointed to it.

I worry that I will be leaving a big job for the sake of more flexibility, and if I stay, I could be marked, if that even happens?

I'm between a rock and a hard place, so thought some wisdom might be floating around here?

Emmia

I think you have to look at the package too - the local authority probably has a better pension than you're potential new employer, better sick leave policies, annual leave allowances... Plus the new employer can let you go for no reason if you're there for less than 2 years.


The question is what do you want? is it the option to work at home 2 days a week, more money, training, progression... You didn't get the job you went for  at the LA, but that's life - interview processes in the public sector are about formal selection (who scores best on the day at interview), not a tap on the shoulder. Have you asked for feedback on your interview?

But if you seriously resent the organisation, then you should leave, don't hang around becoming bitter.

Marcon

esj13 said:

Last week I had an interview for a job. I got it.
I currently work for a Local Authority, which I have done since 2019. I've developed a lot while I've been there, and last year I applied for a promotion and was not successful.
Ever since then I have felt a little resentment for the place considering the hard work I put in, and felt quite under-appreciated. 
Over the next year I have been considering my options.
I saw a role advertised with the company I used to work for, doing something I am very passionate about. My current role involves this side of things, but to a much lesser extent as my current role encompasses a lot more as well as it.

This new role offers a slight increase in salary, less responsibility (no line management of staff), and increased flexibility, with working from home for 3 out of 5 days.

Yesterday I informed my manager of this new role, who said she was absolutely gutted to lose me, but understood that I am young, have been through a lot durin gmy time there, both in terms of work, and my personal life. But I need to consider doing what is best for me.

This morning she asked to meet with me and asked if there is anything that she could offer me, that would encourage me to stay. 
She said this is the first time she has ever done this, and I can believe it with it being a local authority, such matters are not straightforward as my role would need to be re-evaluated and passed by executive members for approval. 

I love my job, but I have felt my opportunities are going to be elsewhere after not being offered the job I went for last time.
I have also been told horror stories about other people who have accepted counter offers, only to be dismissed later down the line as the offer is a way of filling the gaps until replacements can be found for who i snow seen as a disloyal member of the team.
Not sure this would work in a local authority, but when faced with the possibility, is it worth the chance?

I'm not as bothered by the money, as nice as it is to have more. The flexibility is what matters most to me, and I know in my current role, it's not going to be an easy fight, as as soon as it would be given to me, other members of the team would ask for it, even though their roles are more location based than mine.
My role has also developed and grown since I started it, and I know it is going to again in the future, with it becoming more senior, as the team's objectives are increasing.
And i have been the only person to do the job as my role was created and I was the first to be appointed to it.

I worry that I will be leaving a big job for the sake of more flexibility, and if I stay, I could be marked, if that even happens?

I'm between a rock and a hard place, so thought some wisdom might be floating around here?

You're between two sandbanks, not a rock and hard place - that's when you have no options which would provide a good outcome.

Your manager doesn't want her comfortable life disrupted, but that's not your problem. If you were that valuable to your employer, they'd have promoted you before now or at least made you feel valued in some way (which isn't always financial - but helps if it is!). Your mindset has moved on and the chances of your settling cosily back into your current nest, with feathers permanently smoothed, isn't very high, not least because local authorities aren't noted for their flexibility and ability to take steps to keep everyone happy.

You've already demonstrated that you are employable elsewhere, so if the new job doesn't work out, you move again. Most people do these days.

TELLIT01

Throughout my working life my attitude was always that if I wasn't worth more money until I handed my notice in, I wasn't interested in more money after I handed it in.

prettyandfluffy

Your description of the new job sounds a lot more attractive than your current one; and do you trust a manager who is only prepared to recognise your worth when it's convenient to her? 

tealady

In with Prettyand fluffy ant Tellitto1.
Go for it.
Your current manager can promise you the sun, moon and stars but has no power to give you them.
You new employer has offered you something you want.

Emmia

Marcon said:

esj13 said:

Last week I had an interview for a job. I got it.
I currently work for a Local Authority, which I have done since 2019. I've developed a lot while I've been there, and last year I applied for a promotion and was not successful.
Ever since then I have felt a little resentment for the place considering the hard work I put in, and felt quite under-appreciated. 
Over the next year I have been considering my options.
I saw a role advertised with the company I used to work for, doing something I am very passionate about. My current role involves this side of things, but to a much lesser extent as my current role encompasses a lot more as well as it.

This new role offers a slight increase in salary, less responsibility (no line management of staff), and increased flexibility, with working from home for 3 out of 5 days.

Yesterday I informed my manager of this new role, who said she was absolutely gutted to lose me, but understood that I am young, have been through a lot durin gmy time there, both in terms of work, and my personal life. But I need to consider doing what is best for me.

This morning she asked to meet with me and asked if there is anything that she could offer me, that would encourage me to stay. 
She said this is the first time she has ever done this, and I can believe it with it being a local authority, such matters are not straightforward as my role would need to be re-evaluated and passed by executive members for approval. 

I love my job, but I have felt my opportunities are going to be elsewhere after not being offered the job I went for last time.
I have also been told horror stories about other people who have accepted counter offers, only to be dismissed later down the line as the offer is a way of filling the gaps until replacements can be found for who i snow seen as a disloyal member of the team.
Not sure this would work in a local authority, but when faced with the possibility, is it worth the chance?

I'm not as bothered by the money, as nice as it is to have more. The flexibility is what matters most to me, and I know in my current role, it's not going to be an easy fight, as as soon as it would be given to me, other members of the team would ask for it, even though their roles are more location based than mine.
My role has also developed and grown since I started it, and I know it is going to again in the future, with it becoming more senior, as the team's objectives are increasing.
And i have been the only person to do the job as my role was created and I was the first to be appointed to it.

I worry that I will be leaving a big job for the sake of more flexibility, and if I stay, I could be marked, if that even happens?

I'm between a rock and a hard place, so thought some wisdom might be floating around here?

You're between two sandbanks, not a rock and hard place - that's when you have no options which would provide a good outcome.

Your manager doesn't want her comfortable life disrupted, but that's not your problem. If you were that valuable to your employer, they'd have promoted you before now or at least made you feel valued in some way (which isn't always financial - but helps if it is!). Your mindset has moved on and the chances of your settling cosily back into your current nest, with feathers permanently smoothed, isn't very high, not least because local authorities aren't noted for their flexibility and ability to take steps to keep everyone happy.

You've already demonstrated that you are employable elsewhere, so if the new job doesn't work out, you move again. Most people do these days.

The OP works for a local authority, I suspect formally promoting the OP is quite tricky from an administrative perspective - the job would need to be regraded, put out to competition either inside or outside the LA (and if it's run properly,  they may not be successful in that competitive process... which has happened to me). But, before all of that, the regrade would need to be justified and signed off.

However, as the OP has got a job outside the LA, and has shared that fact with the manager, I think they should take it (accepting the risks) as they won't be seen as the loyal employee anymore. The fact they applied means they see their future elsewhere, and already have one foot out of the door.

jj_43

I would ask for a sizeable increase on the salary and some words about developing my career etc. then continue with a job search on the higher salary. Good luck .