Explanation:

Employee poaching (talent poaching) or job poaching is the recruiting of employees who work at competing companies. The term "poaching" is associated with illegal hunting, but job poaching isn't, for the most part, unethical or illegal and can help to ensure a competitive job marketplace.

Increasing sophistication of recruitment management systems may be enabling employee poaching. Resume databases and social media tools make it easier to identify specific people. The more advanced tools will filter and rank prospects and automate the initial contact. If this door knocking works, a recruiter may call.

The ultimate defense against job poaching is a solid employee retention plan that ensures that pay rates are competitive and seeks a high level of employee engagement.  But these aren't the only steps some employers will take to retain employees.