WWYD? I morally can't recruit my replacement

[Jinglebellsarenearlyhere]

as I am leaving because job and company are making me ill. I am the HR manager and the culture of the organisation is so toxic that I have to leave. I have emailed the CE as to my concerns and the organisational risks (constructive dismissal, third party injury claims, poor productivity etc etc) about employees in general and been clear why I am leaving. No response as yet - 2 weeks later......

Anyway I have been asked to recruit my replacement. How can I, I can't be objective or honest about the place but I can't lie and feel too responsible to mankind to unwillingly expose someone else to this culture.

I don't know what to do.

[ThreeQuartersEmpty]

what notice period have you given?
maybe it would be enough to write the job description and essential / desirable criteria and skill set, and advertise the post and then your notice period is up and you wont have to interview or be otherwise further involved?

[Heels99]

Advertise, shortlist and arrange interviews for the ce with the top five candidates

[KatoPotato]

Most importantly look out for yourself first. Don't do anything that will damage your future career or mess up any money owed.

If they insist on making you recruit then I'd just be brutally honest to the candidates! Or select a candidate that would benefit from a short term cash/cv boost by getting your role?

[CrispyFern]

I've taken on a job before where I was warned at interview there were many problems they'd want me to sort out and a lot of very difficult characters to deal with.

Wouldn't do it again(!) but you'll find an eager idiot like I was, you don't have to be dishonest.

[Jinglebellsarenearlyhere]

But how do I not feel guilty / responsible that I have put another person into the fire as it were. I would not let family / friends or even acquaintances work here.

Maybe I could brief the recruitment agent as to there being some issues. I have to protect my reference though so can't be too explicit. Also delaying tactics could be used but still feels morally wrong and manipulative. Wish I could leave my conscience at home!!'n

[Applecross]

i agree with crispy you can give someone a look when you describe the job as very challenging and ask lots of questions about how they handle stress while looking sympathetic. Use an example of the bad stuff you've witnessed in the question. Don't damage your employability - people can always quit

[DownWithThisTypeOfThing]

Thing is, you're leaving as you can't work in that culture (neither could i!) But your replacement may be someone ideally suited to it so you can't really assume it's not fair on your replacement as it may be their dream scenario. For senior roles it's not unusual for someone to phone for an informal chat - you dont have to lie/reveal all but anyone with some acumen will be able to read between the lines of what you don't say.

[CrispyFern]

Yes, someone else might think 'fantastic, lots to do, I can make this my big project!'

[Applecross]

yes absolutely, it might be somebody's opportunity and after 18 months they use it to get themselves out to a better job. Sometimes you do something really hard and springboard to something better - I'm glad for you that you are getting out though.

[Jinglebellsarenearlyhere]

Thank you all for your wise words today. I did slot of thinking and have have spoken to the CE and expressed my feelings ( all done professionally of course) and he basically said the same as you guys!

So he is happy for me to be 'honest' as long as I can paint the issues in objective terms and as an opportunity to create change. He has suggested changes to the JD that would enable someone to read between the lines. He has also undertaken to have a conversation with the senior management team (I am a part of that) to talk through my concerns about the company so they are still in people's minds after I leave.

Cynically I know it's a 'deal' - he gets me to recruit my replacement and do a handover and I can leave with my conscience clear.

Now I just have to find a new job before my two months notice is up!