A privately$-$held, rapidly$-$growing software development firm in Wisconsin is extremely successful. As a result, the original founder has recently sold the firm at a substantial profit. The new owner, a publicly traded corporation, intends to relocate the firm to consolidate it with its existing operations in Florida. The HR manager intends to relocate with the firm and is concerned about the impact that the geographic and corporate cultural differences will have on the other staff members. The HR manager knows that some knowledge loss and employee attrition is inevitable but wants to do all that can be done to mitigate the impact. The HR manager is also concerned that if news about the relocation gets out before the firm announces it$,$ employee reactions and customer perceptions may be adversely affected and more difficult to manage. The firm$$s move is scheduled to be complete within the next two years.

What should HR do to help mitigate this risk?

Answers

Require everyone that is informed of the move to sign a nondisclosure agreement.

Restrict access to files containing information about the move.

Share knowledge of the move with only those individuals that need to know.

Send the firm$$s nondisclosure agreement to an employment attorney for review.