Well, frankly, they are gone because the raise they get is less than competition will pay time right from the start at new job.
> So many times — easily multiple times per week if not per day — I am having to answer "ah, that system. Alice would know the answers, be able to guide you, is the resource you need … alas, she left/was laid off." We'll get the job done without her, but it'll take us 5×? 10×? as long.
I think that in particular is problem with knowledge transfer and retainment, sure, it will usually take longer for someone else to pick up but it should be documented enough (and cross-trained if needed) that it isn't x10. After all Alice might just be on long vacation instead of leaving the company and stuff shouldn't stall because one person takes a vacation.
> So many times — easily multiple times per week if not per day — I am having to answer "ah, that system. Alice would know the answers, be able to guide you, is the resource you need … alas, she left/was laid off." We'll get the job done without her, but it'll take us 5×? 10×? as long.
I think that in particular is problem with knowledge transfer and retainment, sure, it will usually take longer for someone else to pick up but it should be documented enough (and cross-trained if needed) that it isn't x10. After all Alice might just be on long vacation instead of leaving the company and stuff shouldn't stall because one person takes a vacation.