Sleuth Home - Message Boards - Sleuth Talk

Apr-13-2005 10:06

Two of my agents have reported that they have been, I guess you could say "head-hunted" by another agency. I always assumed that you didn't try to recruit someone belonging to another agency. I have also seen other messages that point to this on the message board. Was I wrong? In my opinion it is an underhand thing to do without at least a cursory mention to a director at the agency concerned. Do any other directors have comments on this?

Apr-13-2005 10:12

As with everything else, people in here make up their own mind.

I personally find this NOT done, when the director doesn't know about it. And I know the majority in here would say so too.

We had a few times, when strangers starting a new agency started messaging members of our team doing the same. It didn't even require me to do anything about it. The agents themselves told them to take a hike because A) They were quite happy were they were, B) It is inappropriate.

On the recruitment board, people are fair game it seems in general. UNTIL....they are settled in another agency.

Apr-13-2005 10:18

Not cool to recruit other peoples agents especially when the directors work so hard to ge t the people they recruit. However My suggestion is that if you know what agency is trying to recruit your agents. Put the shoe on their foot and go out and return the favor try and recruit that agencys agents. See how they like it.

Apr-13-2005 10:28

Were the people recruited new to the angency, so maybe the person who tried to recruit them did not know they had accepted an agency's offer?

I don't think it is right to try to recruit someone already in an agency

Apr-13-2005 10:31

I will put in my two cents only because I have, in the past and present, been accused of doing this, when infact I was doing something much different.

I believe that if you contact the directors BEFORE asking and they find it ok to ask...then you are fine about asking. But if someone just starts talking to a member without contacting a director first, it is definatly wrong.

Just my two cents.

Apr-13-2005 11:06

At the risk of flying in the face of everyone's opinion ...

I can't see what it wrong in headhunting. When someone joins an agency, they do not become contractually bound to that agency, and therefore I can't see why someone should have to get a director's permission to offer one of their agents a place in another agency.

It's like real business - if directors want to make sure that their staff are not going to be tempted by other companies, they should make sure their company is the best to work for. It will then be as Jstkdn says - those headhunted will refuse because they're happy where they are.

If any agent is headhunted and leaves for another agency, then obviously he or she was completely happy at that agency anyway, and maybe the directors should think about why their agents feel they would be happier elsewhere, rather than bemoaning the underhand strategies of the headhunter!

It's business, it's politics and it's a reflection of a cold and harsh world. We may not like it but there you go.

Apr-13-2005 11:08

Sorry - third paragraph should read "he or she was NOT completely happy at that agency" : o )

Apr-13-2005 11:26

Hey jojo227 does that mean there is an ethical way to do something unethical??I agree with what you said myself. I am sure there must be agents in an agency that think there is nothing wrong with just talking and that they have the right to talk. I don't mind it would be nice if the agent let their dir. know.I would say each agency could and probably should have their own policy.

Apr-13-2005 11:31

It may not be a big deal and we know that Agents aren't bound by any contracts to their agency and yes, they can tell the person who is trying to recruit them that they are happy where they are at but I think it's just a matter of respect to the Director ,who has worked hard him/herself to get Agents for their own Agency, to ask permission before trying to take their Agents. Just my humble opinion :)

Apr-13-2005 11:41

I agree with Blaise.
Its life. If companies don't please their detectives, they should go somewhere else. AND vise versa.
Sleuth is fun and the last thing we want is for someone to not get the most they feel they can out of it.
So I say go ahead and headhunt. But be aware you are probably making more enemies then friends (and as director the last thing you need is ticked off other directors-talking to their current director is smart so it doesn't cause as much hurt feelings).
Basicly: people will go where they want to go. If they don't want to be in your agency, it would be best for all involved if they weren't. I would hate to be in a situation where I wanted to leave but felt guilt or felt as if I would hurt friends for doing what I thought best for me.
Hey, we can all still be friends right?

Apr-13-2005 12:33

okay, i'll chime in too. first, i just want to point out the obvious, that this game isn't life. this is a game community that has built up a fun and ever-evolving game through resonable discussion (and pure addiction).

i do think it's disrespectful to actively recruit members of other agencies. if a detective is unhappy at a certain agency, then she is quite able to find another home. (or as i would do, organize your co-workers and make your agency into what you want it to be.)

we have a recruitment board for those agencies who are on the hunt for good detectives to shout out their values as good employers. so, i don't really see the need to headhunt/poach from other agencies.

but, as headhunting is not against any official rule, i guess folks can go at it at their own risk. just know that i will lie awake at night frowning at you.