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:5, Interesting)
I was in a similar situation, and that's exactly what I did. A job opened up closer to my home and on-target with my then new-found interest in web development. I told my old boss that I would be leaving in two weeks, and that I was saddened but explained the circumstances: better pay, less commute, more job satisfaction. He responded by asking how much they were offering. He then matched the salary, told me he would pay for my time commuting, and asked me to use some of my time to develop a web site for the company. Win-win boss. Disclaimer: I did eventually leave years later to form my own company. We're still friends and he's a customer, so yeah, he's still in some ways my boss :)
Re:Does your company have loyalty to you? (Score:4, Interesting)
That's not always true. I worked for a small company through some of the worst times that industry experienced. Our sales went below 50% of previous years and our net income went negative. Instead of laying people off the managers took cuts. When things got a little better, the managers went without raises so the rest of us could have small raises and larger bonuses (bonuses are cheaper in the long run). I would have never left if I didn't want to leave that part of the country.
Re:Bargain (Score:4, Interesting)
Agreed. If you take a counter offer and stay, the chances are those relationships that were previously good may well turn sour. The company may also see you as disloyal or a risk and they'll likely seek to recruit/promote someone over you as soon as possible to minimise the risk of you leaving. Once they've done that, it's actually in their interests if you leave, since they don't want to be paying two lead developers if one is all they need - at that point, welcome to being lumbered with all the crap tasks. This isn't always the case, but I've seen it happen enough that I wouldn't take the risk.
Conversely leaving isn't disloyal, it's just natural - if they'd hold grudges agains you for wanting to move forwards then that gives you a good indication of how they really view you - fairweather friends at best. Be open and honest and do whatever you can to ease the transition (when I've been in this position before I've made it clear I was on the end of the phone for transitional issues after I've gone so long as they didn't abuse the offer) but be firm, and it probably helps if you make it clear this is not just about money but about expanding your experience/skills/better work/life balance etc (even if it is about money, you don't want to be seen as a mercenary dick - it's a small world after all). Of course, I'm biased as I hate any kind of commute - I'd probably take a 7k pay cut if I could work in walking distance from home rather than 1.5 hours :)
Re:Does your company have loyalty to you? (Score:2, Interesting)
Not necessarily. I've seen it go both ways so you may be correct about his company. On the other hand, outsourcing can be useful to handle temporary staffing needs while protecting existing employees. I've used outsourcing to avoid hiring people that I would probably have to lay off when a big project ends. I only hire people when I'm confident I can continue to pay them.
However, your basic point is solid. Does the company have loyalty to you. You need to look at how the company operates and how have they treated other employees. For example, when a good employee has trouble and needs time off to deal with life, family, etc. Is the company supportive or do they kick him to the curb. Will the company go the extra mile to stick with an employee that's struggling but really trying to improve. These are the real tests.
Since it sounds like he just completed a successful project. I would recommend he ask for a promotion and raise BUT NOT mention the other offer. If the employer cannot afford the raise they can at least give the promotion and promise the raise at a later date. If he gets neither, then perhaps he isn't as valuable to the company as he thinks and it might be better to move on.