Looking In The Gift Horse’s Mouth: The Pros and Cons of Counteroffers in Animal Health

Are you a horse of a different color than the rest of your department? Even in the close-knit animal health industry, 42% of employees are actively looking to move.¹ Whether the feel underpaid, underappreciated, overworked, or that they just don’t fit, they are looking for greener pastures. In 2024, the turnover rate of white-collar employees was 12.8%, creating thousands of job openings.² Within animal health, 61% of companies are failing to meet their hiring goals, leaving roles open, territories uncovered and important work undone.³ Replacing an employee, especially in a critical role, is time consuming and expensive, so about half of employees who resign receive a counteroffer.⁴ Should they accept it, or walk away?

The security of familiar pastures

Despite the effort required to find a new position, more than half (57% ) of employees given a counteroffer choose to stay with their current employer.⁴ Remaining in a familiar role, whatever its challenges, is generally far easier than starting over somewhere else. Employees have established networks and relationships and understand the job and how it fits into the larger company structure. For introverts, not having to build a new network can be a powerful attraction. Moreover, if the new job requires relocating, staying put eliminates a major stressor. A counteroffer provides the security of a known situation, theoretically with some of the existing issues resolved.⁵

New pasture, same problems?

Accepting a counteroffer doesn’t guarantee a smooth ride. Companies or managers may question the employee’s commitment and loyalty, given their demonstrated willingness to leave. This can limit opportunities for promotions, interesting projects, or other attractive career steps. Furthermore, the counteroffer might not actually fix the original problems.⁵

In the animal health industry, culture and mission are at the heart of our work. Meaningful work is the number one reason many animal health experts stay at their jobs.¹ If your work has no meaning or the company culture doesn’t meet your needs, no counter-offer salary increase can fix the problem.

Back to basics: Evaluating the offer

What should you do if your company counters your resignation notice? The answer depends primarily on your reasons for leaving. Compare your original reasons for leaving against the written offer. If the problem was concrete, like salary or remote work options, does the counteroffer address them in writing? For concerns about career progression, verify the availability and certainty of promised opportunities. Remember that a counteroffer cannot resolve conflicts related to company culture or interpersonal dynamics. Ask yourself: if these issues were easily resolved, why did it take a resignation to address them?

It's worth noting that most employees who accept counteroffers are dissatisfied in the long term The vast majority of people who accept counteroffers leave the firm: 80% leave within 6 months, 90% within 12 months.⁴ They now have to restart the job search, potentially having damaged their reputation with the firm that had previously made them an offer.

Counteroffers: the fork in the road

Counteroffers present a tempting option to remain in a comfortable environment. Before you accept one, consider the pros and cons, recognizing that initial problems often remain. If you and your current employer have reached a fork in the road, accept it and go your separate ways. The grass might indeed be greener over the fence.

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Finding the right people for your company’s needs and culture reduces turnover and improves company performance. Animal Health Jobs and our partners at Brakke Executive Search have the right candidates to fit your needs. To find experienced animal health and animal nutrition insiders who will keep your business running smoothly and profitably, post your open roles now.

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References

1. Cultural challenges: Results of the Animal Health Jobs Spring 2024 Attitudinal Survey. Published 20 December 2024. https://animalhealthjobs.com/blog/5446/cultural-challenges-results-of-the-animal-health-jobs-spring-2024-attitudinal-survey
2. Results of the 2024 US and Canada Turnover Surveys. Published 5 September 2024. Accessed 1 May 2025. https://www.imercer.com/articleinsights/workforce-turnover-trends
3. Animal Health Jobs Survey of Hiring Practices. Autumn 2022. Published 15 February 2023. https://animalhealthjobs.com/blog/4532/animal-health-jobs-survey-of-hiring-practices
4. Eclipse Software. 7 Counter Offer Statistics Every Recruiter Needs To Know. Published 10 January 2025. Accessed 26 April 2025. https://www.recruitment-software.co.uk/7-counter-offer-statistics-every-recruiter-needs-know/
5. Fitzimmons K. Professional Risk Managers’ International Association. Career Center. Counter offers: should you stay or should you go? Accessed 26 April 2025. https://prmia.org/Public/Public/Resources/Career_Center_Pages/Counter_Offers_Should_You_Stay_or_Should_You_Go.aspx