It really depends on the industry, OP. In some of them, there is no path to promotion. Most companies take a very transactional approach to retaining people - they only get credit if they're a flight risk, and with you, they missed that boat. It happens, but remember that in the big scheme of things, it may be worthwhile for them to continue dragging their feet. It saves them money.

Your mistake is feeling any sort of loyalty or sense of belonging. At the end of the day, you're replaceable and no one cares about you. You need to consider the best career path for yourself, period.

I'd go....6 years for a promotion? Are you going from Director to VP? Maybe then I'd stay, but other than that walk.

If I liked the job I’d stay. There’s something about an employer who will go to bat for you.

I think I would take the feelings out of the equation and really consider what would be best for you in the next few years, then medium- and long-term for your career.

Are you planning to keep getting promoted in the future? Is the new company as stable as the old one was? Yes, it's now "fair" how they treated you, and I would plan on not forgetting this, but they are giving you the money/promotion to stay (assuming you trust them enough), so simply do a comparison of your new new job and your old new job, and decide based on that. For all you know, the new new place would have treated you the same way (as many of us are also treated).

I am looking for perspective on a job move.

I’m a Sr. level professional at a small company. I like my job and the people I work with. Most years I get the max bonus. My problem is my promotion has been delayed for years. Six years ago in January I was told my promotion was eminent. Since then it’s been one excuse after another.

In frustration I would occasionally apply for positions. I recently got a soft offer for a position at a higher level and more money.

Since my potential employer is checking my references I told my immediate boss. Within a week I got the promotion I was promised as well as a significant raise and bonus (contingent on me making a 3year commitment ).

I actually feel even more burned than I did when I hadn’t been promoted since this confirmed my suspicions that my promotion was delayed solely due to indifference on the part of management.

The offer is slightly less than the new job but the truth is I would have never thought about leaving if they hadn’t dicked me around. Wwyd