Right. We need to stop treating human interaction and people's livelihood, their very ability to earn a living and have a home and feed themselves and perhaps their family, as something that can be statistically gamed.

Grow the fuck up or do not run a company. Childish viewpoints are for the playground. If your friend can't deal with the fact that you offer a more attractive work environment, he or she deserves for their company to tank and the smart employees will follow the first one who leaves.