How to Protect Your Company from Skilled Worker Poaching

Companies today need good employees to survive in the face of competition. But the increasing shortage of skilled workers is causing problems for many and is becoming more and more of a challenge. It is particularly problematic when specialists have been trained and qualified in the company for a long time and are then recruited by other companies that are happy about the well-trained staff. How can you prevent skilled workers from defecting to the competition?

Why are skilled workers so sought after?

Personnel bottlenecks are not uncommon in Germany. Many companies have difficulties finding trainees and positions remain unfilled because qualified staff is lacking. This applies in particular to sectors such as health care, trades and jobs in the IT sector. The struggle to find and keep good employees is endless. Employee loyalty is one of the most important issues in every larger company and ranges from flexible working time models, attractive salaries or a good working atmosphere to special remuneration or a company kindergarten. After all, it is easier and cheaper to keep qualified employees than to find and train new specialists. But what can companies do when their best employees are poached by the competition?

How does the poaching of skilled workers come about?

Lack of employee satisfaction over time can lead to Quitting employees internally and look for alternatives. If companies do not manage to offer their employees good career opportunities and attractive working conditions, they may be willing to accept job offers from other companies. In some sectors, it is even common for specialists or executives to be enticed away by the competition in order to expand their own specialist potential and secure the know-how of the competitor.

When it comes to staff with special knowledge and experience, many companies are willing to lure candidates with high poaching bonuses. Many bosses know little about their employees – are they loyal or do they have financial difficulties that a poaching bonus can tempt them? With the Help of an economic detective agency misconduct by employees can be uncovered and documented with legal certainty. This knowledge is valuable for bosses – they are always informed one step ahead and can take countermeasures in good time.

How can companies protect themselves from poaching?

The poaching of employees by competitors is generally permitted. Accepting better offers on the labor market is part of the free market economy and everyone has the right to freely choose another employer if the conditions are right. Nevertheless, poaching does not usually take place openly, but top performers are contacted discreetly either via headhunters or former colleagues or executives who have already changed companies. A detective agency can detect suspicious activity very early on.

An important step is the monitoring of employees during breaks or on the way to work. But potential poachers who are conspicuously interested in a company’s employees can also be researched, observed and identified. When recruiters use unfair means, such as spreading false information about their employer, a company can take appropriate action to protect its employees. It is important to carefully document the poaching attempts – if possible with the date, time and any witnesses. This is part of the natural everyday business of a detective agency. Wants a company against the poachers to take legal actionthis documentation is an important burden of proof.