Arizona Cardinals fans use the phrase “protect the nest” to refer to winning at home. You can easily adapt this concept as an action plan to prevent your top employees from being poached.

Years ago, poaching was taboo. Most companies would never think of going to a competitor’s job site or waiting for staff to leave the yard to approach them. Unfortunately, we’ve seen these courtesies fall by the wayside. By “protecting the nest,” you’ll increase the odds that your employees will resist poaching. Here’s how:

-Make sure your pay rates and benefits are competitive.

-Listen to what your employees are saying and not saying to stay on top of any signs of frustration.

-Keep appreciation and respect top of mind. Employees who feel undervalued or unappreciated are easy targets. Group recognition events help. They’re different from personal appreciation, but together they’re powerful tools for loyalty.

-Show you’re invested in their futures by offering opportunities for advancement. Offer training and professional development, and promote from within.

-Offer a healthy work/life balance: consider alternative work hours, flex time or other options to help valued employees balance their needs and stress.

-If employees leave, let them know they’re welcome back. It may be hard to feel that way when it happens, but I’ve found we get back more than we don’t. And when they come back, they’re even more secure and better employees.

-Prevent temptation by incentivizing and encouraging your employees to “love the nest.”

The author, of the Wilson-Oyler Group, is a 30-year industry veteran. Reach him at bwilson@wilson-oyler.com.