It’s tempting, right? Your boss finds out you’re leaving, throws more money or a promotion your way, and you think: “Great, problem solved!” But research shows that over 80% of employees who accept a counteroffer from their current employer end up leaving anyway within the next 6–12 months. Below are the main reasons why sticking around after a counteroffer usually backfires:

1. Trust Is Already Broken

  • You Wanted to Leave: Your employer now knows you were ready to walk out the door. That changes the dynamic—maybe they’ll give you a raise now, but can you count on them long-term?
  • Motives Under Suspicion: Your employer might wonder if you’ll try to leave again. That seed of doubt rarely goes away.

2. Short-Term Fix, Not a Real Solution

  • Underlying Issues Remain: If low pay or lack of growth made you look elsewhere, a quick salary bump often won’t resolve deeper workplace problems (like a toxic culture or limited career paths).
  • Honeymoon Phase Ends Fast: The excitement of a bigger paycheck fades quickly if the same frustrations keep popping up.

3. You May Hurt Future Relationships

  • Bridge-Burning Risk: By backing out on an offer you already accepted, you could damage your reputation with the prospective employer—and possibly in the wider industry.
  • Team Tension: Coworkers might see your “almost left” moment as disloyalty, potentially straining work relationships.

4. Career Progress Could Stall

  • No Genuine Commitment: Your boss might only be throwing money at the problem to keep you around in the short term. If new opportunities arise, will they truly consider you first?
  • Unmet Promises: Counteroffers sometimes involve vague promises about future roles or responsibilities, but often those promises don’t materialize.

5. Statistics Don’t Lie

  • 80% Still Leave: Most people who accept a counteroffer end up leaving within a year because the original reasons for wanting to quit remain.
  • Salary Bump ≠ Job Satisfaction: More money can’t fix a bad culture or a mismatch in career goals.

Final Thoughts

A counteroffer might feel flattering, but it usually just postpones the inevitable. If you were serious enough to look for another job and receive an offer, it’s wise to stick to that decision. Accepting a counteroffer rarely leads to lasting satisfaction or stability—and the odds (over 80%!) are not in your favor.