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?"
All obligations have been met (Score:4, Informative)
Assuming that all contractual obligations have been met, you've exchanged your work for their money. If you no longer wish to exchange your work for their money, that's no problem. Rest assured, if they no longer wanted to exchange their money for your work, they'd have no problem terminating that little arrangement.
Besides, there are ways of arranging for exclusivity. In many fields, they're codified. Retainers, tenure, whatever. If they wanted to keep you for a fixed amount of time, they'd have entered into contractual negotiations with you.
If you want to leave, leave. Just make sure you follow the legal and standard practices; two weeks notice or whatever it is across the pond.
Re:Bargain (Score:4, Informative)
In IT, you can't generally advance within a company as well as you can by switching companies. This is because a company with a current employee has (short-sighted, self-serving) incentive to minimize the increases in total compensation, while a hiring company must attract the person they want.
It's also been studied that most people who accept counter offers to stay are still gone within 6 months to a year.
You are but a resource to your company. If they thought it would save them a few units of your favorite currency in the long run, they'd fire you yesterday. They don't feel any human attachment to you. This is all just business. You work, and at the end of the week they pay you, and then you're even. You don't owe them and they don't owe you. Do what's best for you and your family.
Re:Bargain (Score:3, Informative)
What was expected? Loyalty to a company is meaningless as the company is not anthropomorphic. It's always your relationships/loyalty to people that counts.
The relationships that really work are also far more than networking - they are not just business transactions.