Ask Slashdot: Does Being 'Loyal' Pay As a Developer? 735
An anonymous reader writes "As a senior developer for a small IT company based in the UK that is about to release their flagship project, I know that if I were to leave the company now, it would cause them some very big problems. I'm currently training the other two 'junior' developers, trying to bring them up to speed with our products. Unfortunately, they are still a long way from grasping the technologies used – not to mention the 'interesting' job the outsourced developers managed to make of the code. Usually, I would never have considered leaving at such a crucial time; I've been at the company for several years and consider many of my colleagues, including higher management, to be friends. However, I have been approached by another company that is much bigger, and they have offered me a pay rise of £7k to do the same job, plus their office is practically outside my front door (as opposed to my current 45 minute commute each way). This would make a massive difference to my life. That said, I can't help but feel that to leave now would be betraying my friends and colleagues. Some friends have told me that I'm just being 'soft' – however I think I'm being loyal. Any advice?"
Re:Why not use it as a bargaining chip? (Score:4, Funny)
When I was in this situation I didn't tell them of the offer directly.
I talked to the office snitch (who thought I wasn't on to her) and mentioned 'in confidence' that I as 99.9% out the door, just finished the 3rd interview at the new place.
Two days later they made me an offer better then the new place. By not telling them exactly what the other place was offering they had to guess.
Then again you may not be as vital as you think. The nice thing about this is you don't tip your hand.