The word "poaching" can be used metaphorically to mean "hiring someone away from another organization". It usually implies that that person being poached was either important to their former organization, or expected to be important to their new organization, or both.

In countries where individuals are free to choose for whom they will work, this version of poaching is legal. In situations where trade secrets or national security secrets are involved, there may be severe restrictions on what the poached employee can tell their new employer.

The word "poaching" can be used metaphorically to mean "hiring someone away from another organization". It usually implies that that person being poached was either important to their former organization, or expected to be important to their new organization, or both.

In countries where individuals are free to choose for whom they will work, this version of poaching is legal. In situations where trade secrets or national security secrets are involved, there may be severe restrictions on what the poached employee is legally permitted to tell their new employer.