it also has the side effect of diminishing job prospects.
What exactly do you mean? In my experience companies often try to hire people with specific skills instead of generalists (which btw is a mistake imo, smart people will be able to pick up the skill in question).
I certainly agree that smart people will quickly develop!
Based on the small size of the company, I must hire people who are intelligent and yet are passed over by the job market because they can't display that with a degree or job experience, and I've found your assertion to be true.
You're probably correct - perhaps given that we pay well and hold fast to 40 hours- it's more likely that there's not much incentive to leave.
What exactly do you mean? In my experience companies often try to hire people with specific skills instead of generalists (which btw is a mistake imo, smart people will be able to pick up the skill in question).