What is your first thought when an employee announces her resignation? “Oh No! She Knows Everything!”, an article written by James Pooley and published by Potomac Techwire, shares nine ways to minimize the information security risk associated with departing employees. Among the many good points are several that directly connect to recruiting.
Moving past the most basic truth (no one will stay forever), Pooley discusses the importance of clearly conveying your expectations to job seekers to avoid inadvertent information theft. In addition to working to protect your information, a company must create a culture where it is understood that protecting prior employers’ trade secrets is expected and respected. Pooley encourages employers to take advantage of nondisclosure agreements which legally bind employees (or candidates) from sharing information versus noncompete agreements which restrict the movement of talent in the market and can be more difficult to enforce. Pooley also emphasizes the importance of the exit interview as a perfect time to remind employees of their nondisclosure commitment.
TMG’s Take is that talented candidates are more comfortable with signing nondisclosure agreements, including during the interview process, as they see the advantage of having more information shared with them. This helps all parties make better decisions. Noncompete agreements can be a sticking point, especially when a company is wooing a candidate who does not currently have a noncompete. Nondisclosure agreements offer appropriate protection without discouraging talented candidates reluctant to limit their options.
TMG’s Take is a regular e-mail advisory produced by The McCormick Group. The company’s Government Contracting group combines the expertise of our knowledgeable consultants to help government contractors fulfill all of their recruiting needs. TMG’s Take covers topics across the spectrum of the government contracting industry, including business development, proposals, contract management, cyber security, compliance, R&D, technology, and finance. Please direct all inquiries to Brian McCormick, Executive Vice President at (703) 841-1700 or bmccormi@tmg-dc.com
