Dear professionals,

I came across a very peculiar situation twice in last two months. Two of our employees were picked up by a "Big Name" company. Off course, guys who were selected decided to switch over. No issues. This "Big Name" asked them to join in max. 10 days (in both the cases they recd offer letter on Monday & were asked to join on next Monday OR "you loose a job" and were very generously given 3 more days, "ok, ok you can join on Thursday instead").

In one case we could afford to let guy go, as he was working in a team of 10, but other guy we can not let go, as he is independently handling a responsibility & needs to train his successor. We understand that now he is a "gone" case, we can not retain him. But then it is a great problem for us.

A. When you select somebody, do you respect his notice period with earlier co.?
B. If you are from "Big Names", could you pls refrain from "pulling" people?
C. If somebody runs-off without adhering to notice period, what legal action can I take?

Thanks,

Alok Sehgal

As knowledge workers our capital is between our ears. We ought to get the maximum returns on cpaital and one does not have hard feelings towards our fellow k-workers who cut bait and run when they get opportunities to increase their yield.

As managers though, we just need to cover the downside risk of key k-workers bailing when the program is in a critical stage. Legal action, even if possible, can't give you access to a guy's knowledge at the time when you need it. Therefore, legal action isn't an option. So, do some knowledge capture and sharing when the going's good rather than find ways to close the barn after the studs have bolted.