If an employee leaves a company to work for a competitor

If an employee leaves a company to work for a competitor, what types of knowledge could be ethical for the employee to share with the new employer and what types of knowledge would be unethical to share? With business in constant competition, losing an employee to a competitor could pose threat to the success of a company with the knowledge a former employee brings the competitor. Ethics, by contrast, is defined as the principles and standards of moral behavior that are accepted by society as right verses wrong. (Bovee, Thill & Mescon. 2007 pg. 63) The knowledge one possesses to make a right choice or at least the best choice from among competing alternatives, individuals must think through the consequences of their actions. There are many types of knowledge that may be shared that are considered ethical while others not so ethical. Ethical knowledge suitable for sharing with a new employer is experience and training acquired, marketing strategies and production protocol. Typically this is information does not give insider secrets of the former employer. Giving out insider information is not competing fairly and honestly as businesses are expected to do which can result in unethical practices. The most common purpose for unethical practice is influenced by the potential for personal gain also known as conflict of interest. (Bovee, Thill & Mescon. 2007 pg. 67) For example, while it may be ethical to share a list of vendors the former employer uses, it is unethical for the employee to share what the vendor charges the company. These actions could be considered insider trading which is not only unethical, but also illegal. While some knowledge is clearly ethical and others clearly unethical, the employee and/or competitor may find themselves caught in an ethical dilemma. Knowledge as a general rule, the more you know and the better you understand a situation, the better your chances are of making an ethical decision. (Bovee, Thill & Mescon. 2007 pg.