Navigating Counteroffers from a Hiring Manager’s Perspective

Should a hiring manager entertain the idea of presenting counteroffers to employees contemplating departure? This question has become increasingly pertinent considering talent shortages, prompting many hiring managers to consider counteroffers to retain key staff. Yet, amidst this strategy lies a crucial inquiry: Is it truly a smart business decision?

The 2024 Salary & Market Report by people2people unveils a striking statistic: 67% of employees who accepted counteroffers in 2022 ultimately departed from their organisations. This data underscores a fundamental truth: monetary incentives alone often fail to anchor employees to a company. Consequently, it becomes imperative for hiring managers to delve deeper into candidates' motivations and reasons for seeking new opportunities. Transparent communication throughout the hiring process can pre-empt last-minute counteroffer surprises. Many candidates may initially convey a desire for higher salaries, but their motivations may encompass broader aspirations such as career advancement, work-life balance, or alignment with the company's values.

Furthermore, the 2024 Market & Salary Report reveals that 52% of organisations refrained from issuing counteroffers in the past year. Notably, a substantial portion of our clients, particularly in the legal sector, has adopted a policy refraining from counteroffers unless the role is deemed critical to the company's operations. The saying "if the candidate already has one foot out the door, let them go" encapsulates this sentiment.

This trend marks a significant shift in the market, accentuating the delicate balance between meeting hiring needs and addressing candidate demands. Our 2024 Report elucidates that 60% of the foremost recruitment challenges during the offer stage in the legal industry revolved around competition with other firms, with 33% attributing missed opportunities to counteroffers.

In essence, navigating counteroffers as a hiring manager demands a holistic understanding of employee motivations, organisational priorities, and market dynamics. By embracing transparency, strategic decision-making, and a nuanced approach to talent retention, hiring managers can navigate this intricate terrain with greater efficacy.