Hiring: It Ain’t Over ’Til It’s Over

Employers take note: More than a quarter of workers—28 percent—say they have backed out of an employment offer after initially saying yes, according to new research from global staffing firm Robert Half.

The top three reasons for backing out are: Receiving a better offer from another company (44 percent); receiving a counteroffer from a current employer (27 percent); and hearing bad things about the company after accepting (19 percent).

“Having cold feet is understandable; ghosting an employer is unacceptable,” says Paul McDonald, senior executive director for Robert Half. “Even though it may seem easier to avoid an awkward situation, transparency is always the best policy during a job search. If you have a change of heart after accepting a position, be honest with the hiring manager.”