Update on my Work Dilemma

[Jenny in Florida]

Given how long my initial post was in the other thread, I decided the last thing it needed was an update added. So I'm starting a new thread.

Here's the original, in case anyone want to go back: 

Against all of your excellent advice, I did chat with my director about the possibility on the horizon of an offer from another company. I made it clear that I wasn't asking for anything from her, just letting her know that the market is, indeed, good for folks with our skill set. I made clear that I hadn't been offered anything yet and that I wasn't sure I would take a position even if it were offered, but acknowledged that just hearing how much more I could be making elsewhere was making it pretty hard to feel good about where I was.

She was lovely and supportive. And we let the conversation go at that. As of the day we had that chat, I had done one of those awful, awkward recorded interviews, which I thought I had completely blown, so I figured I had made my point and that life would likely return to normal.

However, I was selected to move on to the final round of interviews and last week received the official offer.

This happened on the first day of a three-day on-site with leaders from assorted departments to discuss how we are all going to work together now that the company I work for has acquired three other, smaller companies. I pulled my director aside and let her know that I had an offer, that I am not enthusiastic about taking it, but that it hurts to turn down not only the salary but some of the benefits. She encouraged me to reach out to HR, letting me know that she knows of people in the organization who have forced raises and matches and that she would absolutely support me in negotiating a counter offer.

When asked what I needed, salary-wise, to feel good about staying, I suggested we split the difference. I also emphasized that the other company is offering a clear career path and tuition reimbursement, both of which are important to me.

It's been a week of back and forth and hurry-up-and-wait while senior leadership and HR discuss. (Apparently, the woman who will be taking over our department as a result of the acquisition reorganization went all the way to the CFO.) On Friday, they got back to me with an offer to raise my salary to just under what I asked, and the EVP spent a lot of time reassuring me that one of her goals is to work with both my director and me to outline career paths. No tuition reimbursement, but there is money in the budget for next year for professional development.

Today, I reached out and said that, much as I want to stay, tuition reimbursement is a big deal for me. I want to finish my master's within the next two years. I asked if some or all of the professional development funds already allocated in the budget could be used for academic coursework as long as it is directly related to our job function. (My boss, who is also doing her master's, was totally on board with this concept.) 

I have now been told that is not happening, but they have agreed to bump my salary to what I originally asked for (which is the equivalent of tuition for slightly more than two graduate classes at the state university).

I know it sounds odd, but I really would still prefer to stay put. So, after consultation with my husband, I am inclined to accept the counter. 

Just figured some of you-all might be curious how it turned out.

Edited December 20, 2021 by Jenny in Florida

[scholastica]

Sounds like a win-win! Congratulations on negotiating a better deal.

[TechWife]

You did a great job negotiating! Congratulations on your new compensation package.

[Carol in Cal.]

Good job, Jenny.  Really happy for you.

[Scarlett]

That is awesome.  And I totally understand staying put.  I am glad they stepped up so much.

[JennyD]

Wow, congratulations!!!  Very impressive negotiating!   So glad it turned out so well.  

[MooCow]

Yay for you!!

[wintermom]

Good for you! That is really exciting. All the best as you go forward!

[katilac]

Any raise is a good raise! I hope the tuition reimbursement follows.

[MercyA]

Great job! Congrats! 🙂

[Jenny in Florida]

9 hours ago, katilac said:

Any raise is a good raise! I hope the tuition reimbursement follows.

I talked  quite a bit about this with my counselor, of course. And one thing that has helped me frame this decision is her encouragement to consider the situation from an altruistic position. I have interpreted that to apply not only to the good I can do in the actual work, but also to how my negotiations may benefit my co-workers.

I realized a couple of days ago that, if after a whole week of discussion and negotiation, I choose to leave anyway, then none of the advances I am being offered will "stick." Upper management will be free to shrug and say, "Well, we tried. Might as well continue with the status quo."

If I stay, though, my increased salary puts upward pressure on everyone's pay. I have a peer in the department who will likely get a nice raise to bring his salary into line with mine, and my director will also likely get a boost to keep her ahead. (She has been involved in these negotiations and knows the numbers.)

If I stay, I can continue to remind HR and senior leadership that tuition reimbursement is a real and meaningful benefit for both employees and the company.

And so on.

This is not the deciding factor at all, but it is a little weight on the scale.

Edited December 21, 2021 by Jenny in Florida

[Spryte]

Congratulations!

[Granny_Weatherwax]

I am in awe of you and your tenacity. This is a wonderful turn of events and it sounds as if you are happy.

[Jenny in Florida]

Received my official offer letter for the new position and discovered I have acquired a "senior" in my title in addition to the raise. So, that was a nice surprise.

[Harriet Vane]

44 minutes ago, Jenny in Florida said:

Received my official offer letter for the new position and discovered I have acquired a "senior" in my title in addition to the raise. So, that was a nice surprise.

Are you going with the new company or the old one?

[Jenny in Florida]

1 hour ago, Harriet Vane said:

Are you going with the new company or the old one?

Staying with the current one.

Lots of factors played into this decision:

• Going through this negotiation process has given my director and me a better sense of who our new EVP is. My director, who was privy to the behind-the-scenes stuff, was extremely impressed by how the new EVP went to bat for me and, by extension, for our team. 
• This is such an interesting stage at the company, given the acquisition and integration of the other companies. There is potential for my role and influence to expand in ways that will allow me to make a visible and meaningful impact on our products.
• Although the other position offered broad variety of task, this one offers me the opportunity to focus on the aspects of the job that are my particular passion and to continue to develop expertise in this specific area. 
• I really do like the people I work with and feel I have an especially good relationship with my director. (She was surprised and delighted that I opted to stay, because she said losing me would be like losing one of her hands. She was holding off on completing the redesign of the org chart because, if I had left, there would have been no one to take over my role.)
• I have decided I do want to finish my master's degree. And, although the other company would have provided financial support, everything I read suggests that work-life balance is difficult there. So I likely would have had to take fewer classes each semester.  

There's more, but I think those are the highlights.

[klmama]

Congratulations!  

[Harriet Vane]

@Jenny in Florida I’m so delighted for you!!! This was a catalyst to really think through what you want and what is important to you. May God bless you in your new adventures.

[lmrich]

Good for you!!