Existing Staff vs New Staff

I just don't understand the practice of employer. They are willing to pay more for hiring new staff rather than retaining the existing staff with the same amount of salary. In the end, the musical chair game begins, i.e. staff #1 used to be in Company A now is working in Company B due to 30% (or more) jump in basic pay whilst staff #2 used to work in Company B is now in Company A for the same reason.

I'm one of the example in the scenario mentioned above. I have been in the previous company for almost 4 years. I was so satisfied with the first and second remuneration that I had. However, during the third remuneration, things became stagnant. The management's rationale is that slightly lower basic salary will be compensated with good bonus (this practice is still applicable till now). However, my bonus was anyhow better. Hence, I decided to leave the place for 30% jump in basic pay. In fact, the incremental was more than 30%.

After I tendered my resignation, the department head refuse to talk to me at all. As the team leader was so eager to retain me, then only the department head tried to talk to me. However, the talk was useless as he started the conversation by scolding me to have chosen to leave the place for the 30% increment and I still remembered his word "我唔咗你发达'. As usual, I just smiled at him politely.

He has been working in the place for more than 20 years since he first started to work. He enjoys all the benefits (e.g. e-source, car allowance & etc) offered by the employer as he is a management staff. Employee at my age is only looking for the salary amount. I am still at executive level in which money is always the first item in my mind.

After my resignation, the vacancy was replaced by another lady who has working experience of less than two years. Her basic pay may be slightly lower than mine (at that time) by 5% as she jumped from another company. Why can't the company adjust my increment at the first place so that I would stay?

It's a true fact and the trend that employer nowadays prefers to hire new staff than to retain existing staff with the same amount of money. So, when there is opportunity, just go ahead for the jump. Loyalty is a good attribute but however management has misused it. Morale is no longer applicable.

Even though I may not be as happy as in the previous place, but it is compensated with the 30% jump in my basic pay. Furthermore, I'm entitled for the auto-increment although I am still under probation.

I rather become a new staff with 30% increment in basic pay.