Do not persuade new hires to mistreat their previous employers. Before you make a firm offer, ask the candidate when he can start. If he does not see it important to give at least two full weeks’ notice to his current employer, rethink this candidate. You want an employee who plans to leave his job on good terms and with no outstanding issues. You want an employee to treat his old employer like he will treat you.
Be supportive when the new hire tells you he needs to give two full weeks’ notice to his current employer. Be happy the person is honorable and takes his job seriously. You want him to do the same for you in the future if that happens. Encourage good behavior from all your employees and you will receive it in the future. Another reason you do not question his request to give ample notice to his previous firm is because he may get a bad feeling about your firm and the amount of integrity you have if you display a selfish and childish attitude. Why should he leave and come to this? How will he be treated here?
The new hire’s request to be fair to his old company is very admirable —disrespect it at your own peril. This request for notifying the old company is telling and very indicative of a responsible person which is what you want for your company. You want the guy who has integrity and does not plan to leave his company in a bind. If he is conscientious about his old company, he will be the same about yours. Watch for this excellent character trait and treat him with respect. Do not badger him about dropping what he is doing at his old job and coming early to work for you thereby treating his old employer disrespectfully.