How long does a counter offer take to process?

[Anonymous]

I told my employer that I had another job offer. I would like to stay here but I would need my salary to be X. I was told it needs to be approved by 2 parties and then approved by the CEO. I was told by my manager that this typically takes two weeks. After two weeks I asked my manager for a status update. He told me that it was approved by the first two people and is currently sitting on the CEO's desk. It's now been about 5 weeks since I made my intentions known. I feel like this is getting ridiculous now. Any offer with another company is long gone by now. I am getting frustrated but I know that I was already approved through 2/3s of the process. Is this typical? How can you leave someone hanging for 5 weeks?

Typical time

Unnecessary amount of time

[provokeesmokee]

You fell for the trap. They called your bluff.

You don't negotiate unless you're ready to walk away from the table.

The CEO was stalling, and you gave up on the other offer. He was betting on you wanting to stay more than wanting that new job, and you proved him right.

Line up another offer, negotiate up your starting pay and tell them you need a day or two to consider the offer. Get the offer in writing.

When you do this again, press HR every two days for an answer. Press the CEO secretary. Ramp down your workload as you transition work off your plate. In other words, make it clear you're leaving.

Then, before you lose your new offer, jump ship.

[Asker]

I don't agree that that happened. I do agree it looks like that though. Either way, it's been ridiculous.

[provokeesmokee]

Well, your salary's funeral. I worked as a recruiter - it's a standard playbook.

Negotiation 101.

[Asker]

It was said from the beginning that it needs to be approved by three people. They then told me it was approved by 2/3. Unless they straight up lied to me then it's in talks still.
It's standard playbook to lie to an employees face and then have it be obvious that they are lying and then keep the employee?

I googled it and it said the process could take a month or more. So it seems normal, I'm just getting frustrated because it seems to be taking awhile.

Also, I could just get the offer back again most likely so I don't agree that's what's happening here.

Again, I think it seems shady but I don't think it is. Yet.

[SnowedIn]

@provokeesmokee is 100% right. They played you and they won.

Here's my advice: start looking for a job FAST, get an offer, and go... because they won't be keeping you long.

[Asker]

We will see. I will have an answer one way or another soon. I'll keep you posted.

[Asker]

Also, even if they did that, I don't see how it's a win.. it would be an obvious FU to me and would create a disgruntled employee who would still leave asap. They are seen as shady. Lose another person when they are already short handed. I see it as a terrible move on their part. It's possible I guess.

[BarryLiverstone]

Your manager is failing. Best to make an effort to find another company. 5 weeks is beyond reasonable time expectations and your manager knows this. They are not taking care of you

[Asker]

My manager was switched right after I made my proposal. He is out of the picture and it is out of his hands. This is merely a coincidence, but rather annoying. I have been approved by two higher ups and was told it's on the CEOs desk. I feel it's getting unreasonable though.

[BarryLiverstone]

Then meet with the new manager and restart the process. Like I said invest time in finding another opportunity because this one is going no where

[Asker]

This is a pretty significant raise and was already approved 2/3 of the way. I'm waiting for their answer. After that I'm gone if it's disappointing.