6

I work as a Marketing Consultant within a small agency in Australia. I've been there for 4 years and recently was given the opportunity to manage the marketing account for a new client. After working with them for several weeks, my client started hinting he wants someone 'in house', and then he verbally offered me the role and the amount he offered was nearly double what I get paid! At first I was concerned about the situation so I kind of brushed off the conversation, but thinking about it more, I've realised that it's too good of an opportunity to miss.

I've always felt loyal to my current employee, but they do drastically under pay for this industry. There's nothing in my contract about this kind of thing, but I also don't want to ruin my relationship with my current employer, or my client. My questions are... What do I do next? How do I find out if it's a genuine offer, without risking my current role? And then how do I approach it with my employer? Thanks

Improve this question
4
  • Tell us how it goes. There's a chance that the client is in cahoots with your employer to see who is loyal and who is a traitor, and the offer is fake.
    – Jack
    Commented Jun 20, 2015 at 4:57
  • 1
    @Jack, that sounds illegal.
    – mikeazo
    Commented Jun 20, 2015 at 16:46
  • 3
    And rather ridiculous. This is business, not spycraft: it's almost certainly still cheaper for the client to pay a high salary than it is to pay the agency commission.
    – lambshaanxy
    Commented Jun 21, 2015 at 1:38
  • 3
    How do I find out if it's a genuine offer - ask for an offer in writing and observe their response.
    – Brandin
    Commented Jun 22, 2015 at 10:36

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
6

Assuming that there is nothing in your employment contract that prevents you from leaving, leave on as positive a note as possible, leaving the door open to a relationship of some sort that will be of possible benefit to him - If your employer has any wits about him, he will realize that he is better off not collapsing bridges with you and with your new employer. You are not going to put a good word in for your soon to be ex-employer if he smacks you on your way out. And don't mention the money aspect - he most probably can't compete with that, if you can at all avoid mentioning it.

Improve this answer
2
  • 1
    Why not mention the money aspect? You don't need to go into details, but getting an offer with a much better salary is a very valid reason for leaving.
    – lambshaanxy
    Commented Jun 21, 2015 at 1:36
  • @jpatokal Do you want to rub it in? If you don't want to, keep quiet about it. Don't say another word about the money.
    – Vietnhi Phuvan
    Commented Jun 21, 2015 at 3:10
3

Wait and gather more information.

Check the clients contract - they may be in breach by trying to poach you.

if this is all clear then ask your potential new employer for a draft employment contract and formal offer. If the new offer is serious the client will be happy to move it to the next step. Just do all you can to make sure the offer is genuine and not some ploy.

Until it is in the bag - best not to mention at all to anyone - and keep it all verbal or using personal email.

Once you have some certainty - either genuine new job offer or a hoax you are in a much stronger position to use this to your advantage.

Improve this answer
2
  • 1
    The breach of a non-solicitation clause would be a problem for the client, not for the employee.
    – Philipp
    Commented Jun 21, 2015 at 9:56
  • 2
    @Philipp if firing the employee in question would settle a breach lawsuit, then it could be a problem for the employee.
    – emory
    Commented Jun 21, 2015 at 10:02

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .