Lying to and misleading someone is assur and wrong. I assume you believe I condone all immoral behavior and Kol devorim assurim in the pursuit of capitalism?
Again, I have never done it myself, but when there was a debate going on several months ago about people causing rates to go up by offering a lot of money (I believe there was a letter in the Scoop about it) I asked a Rav (R’ Yisroel Miller) and he said it was mutar gamur to approach anyone you meet and offer them whatever you want. This was asked specifically regarding cleaning ladies.
With that in mind, I see nothing wrong with hiring anyone with the prospect of more money, short term or longer term. A current employer should be given the opportunity to match. Obviously if something is assur you should not do it.
PS: My mother took my advice and offered her cleaning lady (whom we share with her) more money yesterday, and she promptly started showing up again. She was very clear that it is only until after Pesach.
PS: I removed a part of this post because I didn’t think it should be posted publicly.
Maybe you can clarify, because there is a difference between approaching someone you know is working for another family and bumping into someone you don't know. From what you are quoting it sounds like the latter only.