The Moment You Resign

By the time someone updates their CV and attends interviews, they have usually been weighing up their position for some time. They have thought about the working environment, the leadership, the opportunities ahead and whether they can genuinely see a future where they are. Most people do not resign on a whim.

Once a resignation has been handed in, it is not uncommon for employers to respond with a counter offer. Suddenly there is more money available. There may be talk of progression or changes in responsibility and this alters the decision you thought you had already made.

That is exactly the point where it makes sense to step back before making a final decision.

The Reason You Were Leaving

Before deciding whether to stay, it is worth thinking back to why you were prepared to leave in the first place.

UK workforce research shows that pay is only part of the reason people move. Progression, leadership, job satisfaction and workplace culture are often bigger factors. 

Most counter offers focus on salary, sometimes with a general conversation about progression. If that extra pay is suddenly available now, it is fair to question why it only became available once you resigned. A counter offer is usually a reaction to an immediate problem rather than part of a long-term plan.

If limited progression, poor management or the overall environment were the reason for leaving, an extra couple of thousand pounds a year is unlikely to change how the role feels day to day. It may improve your pay packet, but it does not automatically change the reality of the job.

What’s Driving the Counter Offer

Replacing experienced and skilled automotive staff is not straightforward. It takes time, it costs money and it disrupts the team. In a market where official UK vacancy data shows sustained pressure on recruiting skilled workers, employers are often motivated to retain existing staff.

From an employer’s point of view, keeping someone who already knows the systems, the customers and the team can feel like the simplest option.

It makes sense for the business but this does not automatically mean the role itself has changed in any meaningful way.

A counter offer may solve an immediate staffing issue, but that does not necessarily mean it addresses the original reason you were looking to move. Protecting the business and progressing your career are not always the same thing.

What We See in Practice

Some counter offers can work, but only where there is a clear and structured change to the role. If responsibilities expand properly, progression is formalised and the agreement is documented in writing, staying can make sense.

More often, though, we see candidates return to the market within six to twelve months.

In most cases, the progression discussed during the resignation conversation was never formally confirmed, or the pay increased but the culture and day-to-day frustrations remained exactly as they were.

An increase in salary does not change how the job actually feels on a day-to-day basis.

Looking Beyond the Immediate Offer

Most people do not hand in their notice because of one bad week. It is usually something that has been building.

Before accepting a counter offer, it is worth being honest with yourself about why you were looking to leave in the first place.

The key question is whether the real issue has been addressed, or whether only the surface has changed. A revised salary or title may make staying feel easier in the short term, but that does not automatically mean it moves your career forward or guarantees you will be happier in the role.

Long-term careers in the motor trade are built on progression, fit and direction rather than reaction. If you were ready to walk away, that reason deserves to be taken seriously.

Thinking It Through Properly

A counter offer can sound attractive, particularly when it recognises your value and increases your salary. However, it is important not to lose sight of the bigger picture.

If you are weighing up your options, we have put together a practical resource specifically for motor trade professionals. It outlines the key points to consider before making a final decision and highlights the areas that are often overlooked in the moment.

You can download it here: Before you accept a counter offer.