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Silicon Valley Anti-Poaching Cartel Went Beyond a Few Tech Firms

Posted by timothy on from the say-clancy-why-don't-you-drop-by-the-club dept.

The gentleman's agreement that several Silicon Valley firms are now widely known to have taken part in to minimize employee poaching within their own circles went much further than has been generally reported, according to a report at PandoDaily. The article lists many other companies besides the handful that have been previously named as taking part in the scheme to prevent recruiting, and gives some insight into what kind of (even non-tech) organizations and practices are involved.

10 of 137 comments (clear)

  1. Do the crime, do the time by Herkum01 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    So, can look forward to anyone doing jail time? That is the really the only way this will stop. That or directly start suing the individuals who implemented the policies and make them pay. After that I am willing to bet once a few executives lose their hard won millions will be a little gun shy about conspiring to do anything.

    Actually the more I think about it, the best way to reign these practices in is directly suing individuals. Once they can no longer hide behind the corporate veil, the less inclined they will be collude together.

    1. Re:Do the crime, do the time by geek · · Score: 5, Insightful

      The executives essentially formed their own union. The gentlemen's agreement (which is anything but. A crony capitalists agreement is a better name for it) is simply their by-laws.

      To counter this, every tech worker in the entire valley should form their own union and stick it to the fucking executives for a change. I moved from the valley 15 years ago because of shit like this. I'll never return but would love to see these mother fuckers get what is coming to them.

  2. Re:Capitalism at its finest by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Ah, yes, the "no true capitalism" defense. The final and greatest argument Randroids resort to when faced with the reality of their idiotic beliefs.

  3. Collusion vs no solicit by tomhath · · Score: 3, Insightful

    The article mixes two things:

    Collusion between the companies to not recruit from each other, which is apparently illegal (since the DOJ stepped in).

    No solicit agreement with employees. That's part of a contract, I'll hire you but you have to agree that you won't refer my other employees to the headhunter who placed you. That's pretty standard and presumably is legal.

    1. Re: Collusion vs no solicit by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Not in California it isn't, same with non completes. Edwards decision killed non-solicits. You want capitalism then have captialism and make sure you pay your employees well.

      http://www.hrthatworksblog.com/2013/01/30/the-difficulty-of-enforcing-non-solicitation-clauses-in-california/

  4. Re:is it illegal? by mikael · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Making employees sign Non-Compete Agreements are illegal in California. But by preventing employees from moving around freely, that could have restricted them from getting pay rises and consequently depriving the state and federal government from getting income taxes.

    --
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  5. Re:Capitalism at its finest by x0ra · · Score: 3, Insightful

    How is that not capitalism ? Capitalism is free market, all the player are free to interact as they please, might it be by competing or by cooperating. By your same logic, the whole open-source community should be forbidden by law to cooperate.

  6. Re:Capitalism at its finest by ObsessiveMathsFreak · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Capitalism is whatever rehtorically useful construct I define it to be. For example, today, capitalism is a system for distracting me from my overloaded inbox to post on Slashdot. Capitalism is the oppressive system that prevents me from sleeping in on the weekends.

    What's your Capitalism today?

    --
    May the Maths Be with you!
  7. Re:Capitalism at its finest by x0ra · · Score: 2, Insightful

    it would include people who would make these law, so it will never happen. Let's face it, a sheep will always complain about the wolves, but it will always remain a sheep...

  8. List of Companies by bill_mcgonigle · · Score: 3, Insightful

    which the TFS failed to include, as contacted by the publisher:

    AMD
    AOL
    Adecco
    Adobe
    Apple
    Best Buy
    CDI Business Solutions
    Cingular/AT&T
    Clear Channel
    Comcast
    Dell
    Dreamworks
    eBay/PayPal
    Foxconn
    Genentech
    Google
    IBM
    Illumita Inc.
    Intel
    Intuit
    Jcrew
    Kelly
    Kforce
    Lucasfilm
    Mac Zone
    Microsoft
    Nike
    Novell
    Nvidia
    Oglivy
    OpenTV
    Oracle
    PC Connection
    PC Mall
    Pixar
    Sun Microsystems
    Virgin Media
    WPP

    It would be interesting to see the connectedness of the Boards of Directors graph for the set.

    --
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