Hi everyone,
First-time caller here.
I am involved in a somewhat controversial situation, and would like the feedback of the community on this. I will present it as neutrally as possible, so that it does not appear that I am attempting to skew the results.
Here's the situation:
Party A is a professional services firm that has about 20 people. The firm has no full-time IT capacity, but has one employee who has a strong aptitude and interest in the field. We will call this person Person X. He has been with the company about six months.
Party B is an IT consulting firm that has 3 people. They have provided IT services to Party A for several years. They have a good relationship with Person X because he is their IT liaison in the company.
Party B would like to add a new staff member. They contact Party A and ask for advice, because the two companies have a positive relationship. Party A provides advice.
A month later, Person X resigns from Party A, and says that he's going to work for Party B. Party B contacted him, asked if he knew anybody who wanted a job, and he decided to apply. Since Party B knew that person's work very well, they immediately hired him. Party A was notified via Person X's resignation letter.
Two days later, Party A terminated the contract of Party B, citing ethical violations in using the consulting relationship to steal Person X. Party B states that they did nothing wrong.
Who do you think is right in this situation?