HOW TO HANDLE A COUNTER-OFFER

Celebrating International Week of Happiness at Work

The International Week of Happiness at Work is a globally recognised event that highlights the significance of creating a joyful and fulfilling workplace.This celebration isn't just about colourful balloons and office parties—it's about fostering an environment where employees feel valued, motivated, and genuinely happy to come to work each day. In this article, we’ll explore why happiness at work is crucial and provide practical tips on how employers and managers can celebrate and enhance happiness in their workplaces.Why is Happiness at Work Important? Increased Productivity Research consistently shows that happier employees are more productive. A positive work environment boosts morale, leading to increased motivation and efficiency. Happy employees are more engaged, less likely to take sick days, and more inclined to go the extra mile. Enhanced Employee Retention A workplace that prioritises happiness tends to have lower turnover rates. When employees feel appreciated and satisfied, they are more likely to stay with the company, reducing recruitment and training costs for employers. Improved Mental Health Promoting happiness at work also has significant benefits for employees' mental health. A supportive and positive work environment can reduce stress and prevent burnout, leading to a healthier, more balanced life for employees. Better Team Collaboration Happiness creates a sense of camaraderie and teamwork. Employees who are happy at work are more likely to collaborate effectively, share ideas, and support one another, leading to a more innovative and successful company. How to Celebrate the International Week of Happiness at Work Here are some actionable tips to help you celebrate this important week and promote happiness in your workplace: 1. Recognise and Appreciate Take time to recognise and appreciate your employees' hard work. Whether it's through verbal acknowledgement or formal rewards, showing gratitude to your employees can significantly boost morale. 2. Create a Positive Environment Ensure that your workplace is welcoming and comfortable. Invest in good lighting, ergonomic furniture, and add some greenery to create a pleasant atmosphere. A clean, well-organised workspace can greatly impact an employee's mood and productivity. 3. Encourage Work-Life Balance Promote a healthy work-life balance by offering flexible working hours, remote work options, and encouraging regular breaks. Support your employees in maintaining a healthy balance between their professional and personal lives. 4. Offer Professional Development Opportunities Invest in your employees' growth by providing opportunities for professional development. This could include training sessions, workshops, or even funding for further education. When employees feel that they are growing and advancing in their careers, it increases job satisfaction. 5. Host Fun Activities Organise activities that allow employees to unwind and have fun. This could be anything from team-building exercises, office games, or social events. These activities can strengthen bonds between colleagues and create a more enjoyable work environment. 6. Listen and Act Create way for employees to voice their opinions and concerns. Regular feedback sessions and surveys can provide valuable insights into what makes your employees happy and what could be improved. Be sure to act on their feedback to show that their voices are heard and valued. Conclusion The International Week of Happiness at Work is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the importance of creating a happy workplace and to take actionable steps towards achieving it. By promoting happiness at work, employers can foster a more productive, engaged, and fulfilled workforce. Remember, a happy employee is not just an asset to the company; they are the heart and soul of an organisation. Celebrate this week by making lasting changes that prioritise employee happiness, and watch your workplace transform for the better.Are you looking to strengthen your team with top-tier finance and accountancy professionals? At Sharp Consultancy, we excel in connecting your business with exceptional talent for temporary, interim, or permanent roles. With our well-established offices in Leeds and Sheffield, our experienced consultants are dedicated to serving businesses across Yorkshire and beyond. Don't leave your recruitment needs to chance—contact us TODAY and let's find the perfect candidates to drive your business forward.Resources:Happiness at Work - International Week of Happiness at Work

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Retaining top talent is a challenge for any business; what do you do if your current employer responds to your resignation with a tempting offer to stay? And if you are an employer trying to recruit a new team member, how do you ensure that your preferred candidate accepts the role?

What to do if your current employer tries to get you to stay…

Think about why your employer has waited until you said you were leaving to offer you more money or a promotion. Do they recognise the value that you bring to the organisation and if not, why not? If they do, have they been taking you for granted and would you be better off starting afresh elsewhere?
What is the relationship like between you and your current boss? If you stayed, how do you think this relationship would be affected?
What were your reasons for looking for a new role? If your current employer is offering you more money, does this change any of those reasons or will they arise again a few months down the line?
Recruiting new staff is a time consuming and often expensive process so it is understandable that your employer wants to retain you and may offer a higher than market rate salary to ensure you don’t leave. However, if the issues that made you look for a new role in the first place still remain, you could find yourself priced out of the market should you decide that you do need to move on at a later date.
Are you prepared to give your current employer the opportunity to address your concerns? Are they willing to listen to your reasons for leaving and can they put workable solutions in place? What value do you place on your relationships with your colleagues and clients? Do you find that the culture of your current workplace matches your own values and outlook?

How to avoid a counteroffer being made to your chosen candidate…

Ask why they want to leave their current role. Try to get a clear idea on their motivations and understand more about what they are looking to gain from a move. If their reasons are solely focused upon achieving a pay rise or a promotion you may find yourself in a bidding war further down the line.
Understand the market rate for candidates at each particular level; whilst you need to present an attractive salary package, you do not want to be paying an inflated rate for someone who may not be able to deliver what you need. And ensure that you highlight other benefits and conditions which will have a perceived value such as flexible working, option to buy additional holiday and subsidised travel.
Remember that the interview is a two-way street and it is as much about you selling the role, company and opportunity to the candidate as it is about them showing that they are best person for the job. Listen to their reasons for looking to leave their current role and demonstrate how you can help them achieve their ambitions.
Move at a timely pace. Speed can often be of the essence when it comes to securing your preferred candidate – once you have made the decision, move quickly through the stages and ensure references and any paperwork are actioned quickly. Keep in touch with the candidate or recruitment consultant so there’s no opportunity for them to doubt that you are having second thoughts.
Put your best offer forward at the outset so you don’t leave the door open for a counteroffer to be made. In the same way that questions will be asked of a current employer, if you are only increasing your offer because a counter has been made, it may not reflect well on you. If you do find yourself in a bidding war over a candidate – either with their current employer or because they have received another job offer – know when it is right time to walk away; you want people who are keen and enthusiastic about the opportunity you are offering.

Sharp Consultancy specialises in the recruitment of finance and accountancy professionals. With offices in Leeds and Sheffield our highly experienced team of consultants recruit for temporary, interim and permanent roles across the full spectrum of positions throughout Yorkshire and beyond. CONTACT US today and speak to a member of our team about your next career move.