If you leave early, then what? You forfeit the bonus? Watch out for those strings. You probably already know, I'm sure, but: If they are offering you that, they're probably concerned someone else may come along at at any time and offer you more. And Radiology Directors are both a scarce item and a super-valuable commodity. Someone who can interface between the service engineers, the radiologists, techs, corporate, and patients, while meeting all of the regulatory compliance demanded by local, state and federal? You're in the catbird seat, and they know it. They're trying to get you to sign away the option of leaving for a better offer. That's fine, but make 'em pay for it!How much increased salary would it take you to change companies? I am Radiology Director at a hospital and am currently looking for another job. My current hospital has just offered me a $30,000 retention bonus per year if I sign a 2 year agreement. I think that I read somewhere that a minimum of a $15,000 increase is what it takes to be worth changing companies.
Or so says one cynical old service engineer, anyway ...