Companies spend a considerable amount of resources to train and educate staff.is it ethical to look for a higher paying job at a nother company?

Every one has the right to look for a better future and that doesn't mean it is not ethical. He is not cheating on his/her company as every company put the possibility for each employee to leave. If you are in this sitatution and you are offered a better position with higher salary and better benefits then grab it and move on.some companies try to solve it and negotiate with the employee to stay by offering better salaries or other position, that's if he is a very good caliber. 

Yes it is highly unethical but we can not stop a resource in the organizataion once he/she has decided to leave the company.

Employee and employer are customers for each other.  And customer satisfaction is the most important segment of this relationship. One of the most important principles of modern day businesses is that whenever you have to choose between yourself and others choose yourself. Do good with yourself first than others. And it applies for both employee and employer. Employer train and develop employees because they give better results and employee leave because they want to generate better results for themselves. The matter is not about ethics, its about choices and preferences.

Yes it is ethical for employees to move on and a risk that every business is aware of. There are plenty of business benefits that training and development bring to the company. Training might allow employees to move on but it is not the reason why they are leaving. Employees still need to be treated with respect, feel valued and rewarded according to market conditions...or they will leave. On the other hand if people are developed and see the opportunity to grow (finance and career) with a company...they will stay. Some companies combine longer term and expensive funding of training (like an MBA)with a commitment to stay with the company for a minimum time period (contractual).

Money is not the highest motivator for staff and peopel dont leave thier jobs based on one component of their benefits package.

HR policies should tie employee development costs to thier future in the company where employees may bare part or all of the development costs if they decided to leave before certain periods.

The public sector in some developing coutries considers the employee development cost as an investment in the national workforce and accespts to get a return on such an investment from anywhere in the country which is very wise, in my opinion.

Yes its the biggest problem every company faces now days training people spending money and time and all efforts goes down the drain because unethical employees leave companies soon for a better salary, position or easier working condition (many factors some known to only them)

Every company hiring a candidate expects maximum output from them and they should give it to company and try to grow with the company 

We understand that Multinational companies with Global presence have a defined annual budget for conducting workshops and training programs for their employees of each deptt. tailored in order to augment their skills and performance through developement which is always necessary for personal growth & organizational growth.As an employee we should use these training programs as opportunities to our best and in attaining progression in their respective companies.

Before switching to other company just for a meagre financial gain just think about it how much your current employer has contributed in your personal and professional gowth for which you have to be grateful and thus have that iota of loyality for the current employer.

Yes however if you get an alluring break where you just cannot resist and it ensures your quantum jump in wages and career progression then it is human nature. 

The company knows exactly where and when to spend money.

I think there is a point at which the employee becomes more useful to the company than it is useful to him and whenever this point is reached both of them will think how to get more benefit from the other.

Being loyal is waste of time when the company keeps using you and keeping you dreaming just becaue the little guy became over qualified and top management can not admit this fact. I think top management is ready to hire new people with higher costs rather than making the old ones happier.

I think that this question is not workable for employees with long history in the same company.

One of the Organization's core responsibility is Train and Develop workforce to fulfill the present and future/vision of company, and therefore taking the risk of spending much money to uncertainty. like organization, employees also has the right to his own future and so long as all the requisite for an exit is done in good faith and followed the rules, procedures setforth by the Organization. then there is no issue.   

The company is spending money and time to grow you in your respective job. Once you gain enough training to further your career then shouldnt the responsibility befall on your company to either give you a rise or a better position? What was the purpose of spending all the time and money on you if your company does not want to make use of you...

If one is sent to undergo series of trainings, it would only mean that the employer VALUE

Their personal capabilities and skills within their respective workplace. Then indeed it is unethical and unfair in the part of the employer, if one didn't apply the benefits and learnigs for a reasonable period.