There is a thinly veiled analogy between the rats abandoning a ship that is doomed to sink and the employees deserting a distressed organization. Just like the rats living in the recesses have a firsthand knowledge about the water entering inside the ship, defecting employees also have the information on company's financial status and potential for insolvency. In my view, it's smart to be cognizant of such rats and rat-like disloyal employees, and monitor their behaviors during the challenging times.
Deodatta V. Shenai-Khatkhate