HP - Hurd => Oracle + Hurd

[Infoproliferati]

So Oracle has hired Mark Hurd, HP's former boss, as co-president. I think it was silly that HP fired Hurd in the first place for not being transparent with company expenses worth 20-30k. We all do stupid things from time to time. He certainly could afford to pay it back. If HP was aiming for the moral high ground by enforcing company policy that even the boss isn't above the law, then great. But they should have found a different way to set an example of Monsieur Hurd. Dismissing a talented employee, such as Hurd, who has been the best boss for the company in a long time is a failure to comprehend what matters to your company especially during such trying times.

Oracle has made a good bet on Hurd, as long as he doesn't stumble over himself which I doubt he will. Oracle stocks soared 6% on word of Hurd joining the company. Now HP is suing to stop Hurd from joining Oracle. They should have thought of this before letting him go.

Mark Hurd understands the computing hardware business. He'll be a great asset for Oracle. Did HP make a mistake by firing Hurd?

[draggar]

HP's issue is that he worked on marketing to compete with HP's competition which includes Oracle.

Also, all HP employees have to sign an NDA (you can't talk about HP products for 1-2+ years after you leave the company) and they're worried that he'll break the NDA. They could do a non-compete contract but those are impossible to enforce in CA.

I think Thomas' had the same issue with one of their execs going to Hostess - they were afraid he'd tell them how Thomas' gets the "nooks and crannies" in their muffins.

[Gerry]

I read this yesterday - first the story of Oracle hiring him earlier in the day. Then later in the day of HP filing a lawsuit.

There are ways to get around an NDA.

But if there was a "no compete" clause in the agreement, that is tougher to get around.