I was offered a $50k cash bonus as a \"retention\" bonus. (Upvote for surprises)

Throwaway account. I don't want to be doxxed.<br><br><br>I have been offered a $50k retention bonus that has to be paid back in full after two years (or pro rata if I bail out in between, per the offer email). My salary remains the same. The bonus is contingent on me accepting the offer by 5PM tomorrow, Friday. <br><br><br>The email was sent out to me and about 400 of my colleagues. We are all being treated equally - the offer is $50k everyone, no matter our current salary.<br><br><br>I have worked for this company as a software engineer for four years. I have loved it, and enjoyed working with everyone. It's a very relaxed environment, and I've never experienced anything like it. I'm a 100% remote worker, and they have been supportive of my move out of the country toCentral America.<br><br><br>The issue for me is that I have already tendered my resignation, and the clock is ticking on my notice period. It ends March 1.<br><br><br>We all received the offer email yesterday - out of the blue. I had already spoken with my manager days before I put my papers in, and told him I was leaving. I told him that only he and I knew, and that I wanted to tell the rest of the team with plenty of time so that they wouldn't be surprised.<br><br><br>He had said that he would try to match whatever they were offering me. I had said that I already had the job and that the salary was already agreed, but he wanted to know the number anyway. I lowballed it and told him something like "they offered me $250k plus all the stock options I want". He said that he would run it up the flagpole.<br><br><br>I put my papers in, and we have been in the process of winding down all my work with the team. I am still committed to the company though - my notice period has been very productive thus far.<br><br><br>And then the email offer came - $50k retention bonus, no change to salary. That changes the calculus. It's a lot harder to up and leave now, especially since I still have two years until I have to pay any of it back.<br><br><br>My plan was to start my own company when I left this job. I have saved $2M and want to start an AI company in Central America, hire locals, and employ them at salaries 4x what they can get paid currently.<br><br><br>I have been agonizing over this. On one hand, I feel a strong sense of loyalty to my soon to be ex employer. On the other hand, I have wanted to start my own business for **years**. And I have been presented a huge opportunity that may not come my way ever again. $2M is a lot of money, and it's a huge safety blanket that will allow me to get over a lot of mistakes.<br><br><br>I posted this in another sub and got some good feedback - the consensus is that it would be pretty dumb to leave now. It's not very much money to walk away from an extra $50k every two years, especially since it's a such a wonderful place to work. And I could always bail in a year if I wanted, and only have to pay back $25k which is nothing.<br><br><br>I think I am going to stay. I have thought it over and over and can't think of any good reason to leave - except for my pride, and maybe my ego. It would be hard to tell my new colleagues that I am staying after I told them I am leaving, and it would look pretty bad on me. But I think I can get over that.<br><br><br>I have written an email to my manager and HR, and I just need to hit send. I've drafted the email to them, and basically it says that I am so touched by the offer that they made their employees, and that they are offering us all such a generous bonus. It then goes on to say that I have decided to stay. It ends with a paragraph about how I love everyone at the company, and how I feel such a sense of camaraderie with everyone, and that I am excited to stay and help us continue to grow and thrive.<br><br><br>Now I just need to send the fucking email and get on with the rest of my life.