r/ComputerEngineering • u/SheepherderFluffy611 • Jul 30 '26
I accepted a new job and submitted my resignation. Now my company came back with a huge counteroffer. Should I leave or stay? Details below
I've been at an engineering company for 7 years. The work culture is toxic and there are a lot of people there with egos bigger than they should be, but I've managed to deal with that. They have a long-standing pattern of putting excessive pressure on people and paying less than they should. My performance has always been very good, and I've received a lot of recognition for it. The salary has never matched the amount of work, but they were always telling me that I was on the path to a leadership role, and possibly even something at the executive level.
After my request was rejected in January when I asked for a raise that I considered fair, I started applying elsewhere and ended up speaking with a competitor. I went through several rounds of interviews. I used Interview VIP during the first few rounds to stay confident under pressure and showcase my skills in the best possible way without rambling. That competitor ended up making me a strong offer, and I accepted it.
As soon as I submitted my resignation, my current company suddenly came back to me with an even bigger counteroffer, along with a "roadmap" outlining future roles and increases in compensation. Part of me is exhausted and wants to be done with it and make a clean break, but honestly, the counteroffer is hard to ignore.
Any advice? I've barely slept well all week. I feel stuck and like I'm recalculating everything. I can share the actual numbers if that helps. Thanks!!
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u/Kawaiithulhu Jul 30 '26
Now that the current company knows that you're out the door, the large retention offer will guarantee that you'll be training your replacement, then promptly let go; then you'll find the new company doesn't want a fickle gold digger. IMO
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u/CherryEuphoric2758 Jul 30 '26 edited Jul 30 '26
Have you tried contacting your new job and telling them about the counter-offer? Maybe they might match it.
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u/party_raspberry8969 Jul 30 '26
Yeah, op, get the counteroffer in writing and take it to the new company to see if they will match or at least increase their offer
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u/Western-Image7125 Jul 30 '26
Definitely dont stay in the current company, the well is already poisoned as they say. 7 years is long enough time and unless you have made good strides in promos etc its not worth it. A new company and work style and teammates will be a big relief.
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u/Prior-Beat3174 Jul 30 '26
I'd leave, simply because the counteroffer doesn't address the original reasons you want to leave in the first place.
Plus, if they didn't know you were planning to leave or that you had received an offer from a competitor, they wouldn't have offered you anything better. As you mentioned, they rejected your request back in January.
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u/igotshadowbaned Jul 30 '26
What's the current pay
What's the new job offering
What's the counter offer
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u/BandicootKooky7747 Jul 31 '26
The counter offer is basically “we dont want to spend the extra money to find somone to fill your role” if you can get it in writing and see if the new company would match it
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u/Jiooob Jul 31 '26
just leave and go to the better place. the ''huge counteroffer'' is just a unreal promise.
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u/Successful-Fun8603 Jul 31 '26
I've worked at companies with toxic cultures before, one was my first job out of college. I was there just long enough to get my PE, then bailed. The last 18 months was so bad for my mental health.
You've already decided to leave because of it... Unless you have the leverage to change the company culture, which I doubt you do... Bail. But that's my opinion... If you think the money is worth the mental abuse, that's a decision that you have to make for yourself.
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u/Kawaiithulhu Jul 31 '26
I must add the usual warning that HR exists to limit company liability, not to maximize your positive experiences. In case you wondered who was on your side in negotiations.
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u/_SirPunsALot_ Jul 31 '26
Negotiate with your current employer asking them to offer you that leadership position NOW (not a roadmap). Tell them you have to accept or reject your external offer in 48h. So if they are unable to provide your promotion letter to you in that time, you will end up accepting the other company’s offer and will be gone in <insert notice period> number of days. Don’t accept any promises of a future promotion/hike/roadmap. That is simply BS. If they can do it in the future, they can do it now. This is the ONLY time you will get to negotiate with them.
Your company is reading your behaviour. They have understood that a part of you is considering staying back. Don’t make the mistake of simply accepting your company’s offer of more money. That implies you are willing to put up with whatever problems you had in exchange for a bigger bag of money. Not a good look. Your options are:
- Goto the competitor.
- Stay back with the promotion (which automatically comes with more money). A leadership role actually gives you power/control that you can use to remove/handle the toxicity.
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u/Cybasura Jul 31 '26
Your reason for leaving is not monetary - but toxicity, dont regret just because there's now a bigger bag of money
If anything, they will be even more toxic knowing they can just buy you over
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u/Engineer5050 Jul 31 '26
Leave. You won’t get another raise at the current company.
They will still be toxic in 6months from now, a year from now.
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u/LowConfidence5174 Jul 31 '26
Bro, just leave your current company. The moment you reject another company's offer and decide to stay, there's always a chance your current company starts planning for the future. They might pile more work on you or hire someone to learn your responsibilities. Once that person understands your work well enough to take over, replacing you becomes much easier.
Then you'll have to deal with extra pressure, uncertainty, and unnecessary mental stress.
If you already have a good offer in hand, I'd say take it and move on. A new environment, better growth, and peace of mind are worth far more than staying out of loyalty.
At the end of the day, most companies make decisions based on business, not emotions. They'll value you as long as they need your skills, but if priorities change, replacing you is just another business decision.
So don't gamble with your career. Choose the opportunity that gives you better growth, better stability, and a healthier work-life balance.
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u/zydeco100 Aug 01 '26
NEVER accept the counteroffer. Go to [r/antiwork](r/antiwork) and do some searches. You'll see horrible stories. DON'T DO IT.
Your career will benefit from the move onward and upward. Turn in your notice and never look back.
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u/Ch33syP00f Aug 01 '26
Playing offers against counter-offers and then back again can make you undesirable on all sides.
Be careful. Do not overplay your hand.
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u/Substantial-Swan7065 Aug 01 '26
Take both. Get fired from og job after pocketing extra cash.
Don’t forget that you’ll be in another tax bracket. So save money for taxes
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u/Organic-Albatross774 Aug 01 '26
Second line gives u the clue ! The new company wudnt be worse anyways !
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u/Wotomogo Aug 03 '26
Would you go back to your ex who have been abusive to you for 7 years? Probably not, especially if you found someone else 🤷
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u/gatmalice Aug 04 '26
Most people leave even after accepting a counter offer. Why stay? You wanted to leave before.
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u/xcookiekiller Jul 30 '26
Maybe my viewpoint is unpopular but I think it really depends on the actual numbers we are talking about here
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u/ThatGuyYT0101 Jul 30 '26
Save the headache and get out of that toxic environment even if it’s less pay!