Comments on: To Poach or Not to Poach

By: Tim Gardner

Tim Gardner — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 17:06:45 +0000

I don’t see any problem with what these companies may be doing — if I’m understanding the story right. It appears they have made an agreement not to specifically target each others employees. It does not appear they have have made an agreement not to hire each others’ employees should they apply, they have simply agreed not to focus their efforts on specific employees in each company. I’m trying to think an an analogy outside of the labor market. It would patently unethical and illegal for computer hardware companies to set prices. It would be quite another for them to agree not to send sales representatives to each others customers. If the customers seek a bid or seek to buy a product on their own they will be accommodated but no effort will be made to steal these customers away. I just don’t see the issue.

By: Joe Vickrey

Joe Vickrey — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 16:40:48 +0000

Because I have played multiple roles as a recruiter, I have fought this battle from all sides. As an independent businessman, I would bain any rule that would prevent me from assisting my client with the acquisition of a superstar employee, because there is a backroom agreement to prevent that person from moving from one company to another. Isn’t this still America, where the employee has a choice where they hang their hat every morning? I work hard to help my current company retain our best talent and avoid situations that would create departure of those employees to our competition, and certainly while I don’t all the staff at our competitors there will always be those desired resources that we would actively and happily acquire should the opportunity arise. This smacks of slavery and if I were prevented from making a move I felt good for myself, my family, and my career by this form of collusion, I would be certainly seeking a legal alternative! My soul, my knowledge, and my career belong first to me, and I am only renting my ability to my employer as long as that loyalty will last. Unless of course they are willing to appoint me to my position for life with a no-cut, co retribution contract, which I am sure is not on the table at this time!! Let Free Will Reign!

By: Joshua Letourneau

Joshua Letourneau — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 17:30:05 +0000

John, I may be incorrect, but I believe the concern is along the lines of stifling competition. Is this an accurate concern? I don’t know. I understand that most governments do what they can to avoid collusion, however is this on-par with price fixing? I’m scratching my head because the argument could be made that society isn’t being harmed in any way (such as through unfair prices, etc.) . . . outside of slower innovation cycles. At that, it’s likely still a stretch.
But what I do know is I love your line, “I know that makes me a dinosaur, but I can remember a time when the best part of my job was figuring out how to poach some up-and-coming star away from the other paper in town.”
You sound like every truly passionate headhunter I know. I’m almost disappointed when a search comes to an end because I have to find new game to hunt.
Thanks for the food for thought