I repectfully disagree. I would expect an employer to take that stance. IMO, it's a little like DeBeers telling you how many months salary you should spend on

I repectfully disagree. I would expect an employer to take that stance. IMO, it's a little like DeBeers telling you how many months salary you should spend on an engagement ring. :-) Employees aren't chattle; they are independant agents who have learned that their employers won't hesitate to lay them off when it is advantagous for the business to do so. Nobody can "steal" an employee away who wants to be there and/or is being paid what he's worth in the marketplace. If an employer wants to keep his employees he can treat them right or not be surprised if they leave to work for someone else who will. On the contrary, former colleagues are just the sort of battle tested people you want working with you.