A Malaysian worker’s decision to turn down a better-paying job offer after receiving a counteroffer from his employer has sparked discussion online after his situation reportedly took an unexpected turn just six months later.
According to a story shared on Threads, the worker, identified only as “Farid”, had been working for the same company for five years while earning RM3,400 a month.
He eventually received an offer from another company that would have increased his monthly salary to RM5,000.
However, about two weeks before he was due to resign, Farid’s boss reportedly called him into the office and asked him to reconsider his decision.
The employer allegedly told Farid that the company valued his contribution and offered to raise his salary from RM3,400 to RM3,900, along with a promise of a promotion the following year.
Believing that his employer had finally recognised his worth, Farid decided to reject the RM5,000 offer and remain with his existing company.
But just six months later, he was reportedly among employees affected by a company restructuring exercise and lost his job.
The story has since prompted a wider conversation about whether workers should accept counteroffers when they have already decided to leave.
The Threads user who shared the experience warned employees against accepting a counteroffer solely because their employer suddenly offers better pay or promises career advancement after receiving a resignation letter.
He argued that asking for a salary increase may not always give employees much bargaining power, whereas having another job offer and being genuinely prepared to leave can strengthen their position during negotiations.
The post attracted numerous reactions, with Malaysians sharing their own experiences with resignations and counteroffers.
One commenter said employees should remember that companies are ultimately businesses, advising workers to focus on doing their jobs, earning their salaries and spending time with their families rather than becoming overly emotionally attached to their workplaces.
Another user said they had resigned three times throughout their career. Although they accepted a counteroffer on one occasion, they later chose not to do so when they resigned again.
Others questioned why some employers only appear willing to offer substantial salary increases after an employee has already decided to leave.
“Why is it only when someone wants to resign that the boss increases their salary?” one commenter asked.
The discussion ultimately highlighted a common career dilemma: while a counteroffer may provide a short-term financial boost, employees may also need to consider why they wanted to leave in the first place and whether the underlying reasons for their resignation have actually changed.
