Is it acceptable to do this re job offer?

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I was interviewed for and accepted a job verbally last week.

I went to hand in my notice today and my current work have given me a pay rise that I really can't turn down.

If I go back to the new employer and advise that I no longer want to accept this offer would this be acceptable? I feel awful that I have messed them around and am worried that I could be sued etc.

Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks

I have no idea if they could sue you, but I doubt it. People probably have to pull out of taking jobs for all sorts of reasons.

Yes it's fine, counter offers happen all the time. Let them know ASAP though so they might have a chance of contacting anyone who was close second.

Was money your only reason for leaving though? Many accept counter offers but then regret it a year or so down the line when nothing else changes iyswim.

Can the new job match the pay rise? I’d ask anyway.

Go back and explain your current employer have given a counter offer.

If you’re lucky they may match or go higher to save themselves the hassle of going through the process again.

If they don’t you have lost nothing

It happens. If money was the only reason you were looking elsewhere then it makes sense to now turn offer down

Normal stuff that happens.

It happens all the time. Don’t stress.

You are messing them around but there's not much they can do.

Unless money was literally the only reason you were leaving I would suggest you continue with your plans, tbh. You applied for the new job for a reason, and that reason will still be there.

You’re not messing them around OP, ignore anyone who says you are. It’s a very normal thing to do, otherwise it would take people ages to get a job as they’d only be able to apply to one at a time! If you’re lucky, the new job may even be able to beat your current job’s offer.

even if money was the reason you were leaving, you need to remember the other reasons why you weren't happy

its ok to turn down a job you have accepted, (asap) but if your old job was only offering you more money when they thought they were about to lose you, do you really feel valued?

how much extra have they offered you? how much out from the new job?

Hi it's not a significant pay difference but would notice the difference.

I know my current job don't make me feel valued at all. But obviously they gave me a pay rise. I've been in my current role 11 years so am a bit nervous to make the change.

New role is for a much much smaller company we're the benefits aren't as good as my current job. The commute is better though, at the minute I commute into the city centre which is a nightmare!

Is the pay rise still significant when you factor in travel costs?

Yes, absolutely fine. I did exactly that with no problems and the (new) job totally understood 😀

Definitely acceptable to do that. But are you sure a move wouldn’t be a good thing, if you’re feeling undervalued?

You haven't even had a written contract so you were daft to hand your notice in anyway. Of course it's fine to change your mind.

I would try and see if the company would match your new offer from your current employer? If you don’t feel valued by them surely that’s not going to change.

It was a verbal offer and acceptance which is worth exactly nothing. No one can sue you or accuse you of messing them around. Only when you’ve signed a written employment contract is it real and you owe anything.

This happens frequently that you get multiple verbal offers when you are job hunting. You just keep all parties in the loop and only sign on with the winner.

I agree with the advice to let the new company know your current employer has given you a counter offer. They may be able to match it.

Few people change their job only for the money and IME if you've decided in your head you were leaving the extra money giant going to change all the other reasons you wanted to go.

Tell the new employer of the offer. If it's not significantly extra they might match it. If you stay, I think you'll regret it, but there's nothing legal or ethical to stop you.

If it's not a significant pay rise I would consider the new job, the pay could rise in a year or two once fully trained. Is this partly an excuse not to move jobs if you're understandably nervous.

I was once in same position with small promotion, stayed in current job, regretted it as nothing major changed and reasons for wanting to leave primarily stayed the same.

I would give new employer option of matching your current employers offer. I did this when headhunted years ago - very much worked in my favour.

I just was honest & said "X have now offered to up my wage to £X, is there any way you could improve your offer?" They did, and offered over.

The reasons you wanted to leave will still be there if you stay & if the money isn't significant, I'd really weigh it up.

id see if i could negotiate the current job even a bit higher to make up for the commute.

This kind of thing happens all the time, so NEw Job will be unsurprised, if diasappointed.

In terms of your own choice though, I generally find people who get a "dive & catch" (when you're offerend more money not to leave) generally don't last long after that - the money doesn't usually make up for whatever other factorss were behind them wanting to leave in the first place

I retracted a job acceptance following a significant counter offer. I didn't regret it. It's not necessarily the wrong thing to do.

I only lasted two years past that but I was always glad I accepted the counter offer (and it set me up for an even bigger jump in salary when I actually did leave).