There's some logic to that.I disagree.
I think it is fairly obvious that people act different way depending on the communication. Let's say you have two colleagues. Both of them are considering switching jobs.
One sends message to general list, implying that he is bored in the company where you work.
Other keeps tabs on the job market, occasionally applies to here and there, but is still at work and doing his job. Even if they both put in 75% of the effort they used to, one of them still seems "one of our own" and other is "still the guy who got bored of working for us".
And to me it seems cuntish to go and whine and actually COMPLAIN about different treatment while making the situation different yourself?!? He said he wants a fresh challenge, and then seems surprised that he was "in and out of team". If you already indicate that you want to leave, then suck it up and accept that you will not be considered as significant/meaningful part of the team. Because you aren't anymore. Seems quite logical to me.
BUT - He was a significant part of the team. BOTH managers selected him knowing exactly (one would assume in significantly greater detail than his public comments) his stance/intentions.
However, I have people who have worked for me that have expressed a desire to leave, if I value this person then I will do what I can to keep him. If I do not succeed then I will openly support him on their decision to move, I'll do this by allowing time off for interviews, making myself available for references and giving my help/coaching on their interview process. This is called an open culture and one that I think people thrive in, and if shit hits the fan and the job doesn't pan out there might be a possibility to rehire them. If it has worked out then I have a trusted individual in the wider market place that could be mutually beneficial further down the line. (admittedly in the usual workplace that 99.9% of us work in it's unheard of that someone sends an email informing their intentions to all employees, but as a boss, I welcome and encourage people to talk to me about what they want). The other fella who walks in and hands their notice in because they've got a new job will be thanked and shown the door as is fast as legally possible.
The guy that walks into my office and says they are leaving because they've got a new job will most likely be shown the door.
And I guess that's why people suck off Modric, Berba, Sherringham and Bale whilst they smacked their dicks in our faces. Odd bizarre world ain't it?