Where do you stand when other company's try to steel your help We have a 3 year apprentice…

This response may hurt, but I think it's best to take the mindset that nobody can steal your employees. If your employees choose to leave, they choose to leave, and people can offer them whatever they want. The unfortunate reality is that a lot of companies do that when they're desperate, and later on, it doesn't work out. We've had this happen probably 50 times: people have left for extra money, only to come back later when that company failed or when they realized there was a reason they were so desperate. I would just tend to your culture, and if people want to leave for unrealistic amounts of money, then you have to let them do it. Our goal should be to be one of the best places to work and be able to pay people as much as we possibly can. Obviously, we can't pay more than that is going to allow us to be profitable. It is a tough situation, though, and I feel for you.

I agree it’s the way of the world it stings sometimes

I agree with Bryan. Some people don't think through as to why they are willing to pay more. The grass is definitely not always greener on the other side....and if it is....its fake grass. I used to be a $$$$ chaser and it never worked out well for me. The company that was willing to pay more usually had a culture in disarray, no organization, wanted me to work my life away and was not pleasant to be around.