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AIBU?

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Original poster

To keep all the money?

35 replies

Yourcatisnotsorry · 08/09/2024 11:52

My employer pays bonuses for recruitment referrals, a few thousand.

I was approached by an ex-colleague who was recently fired from our old (joint) employer about a vacancy we had. I recommended them for it internally, basically wrote an email to the hiring manager. Advised them on the process, gave interview and salary negotiation advice. I kept quiet that they’d been fired from the old company though would have been honest had anyone asked. They got the job and I’ve been paid the bonus. The custom in our old (joint) workplace was to share the bonus between the two parties, but that’s not the custom here. It’s paid only to me but the new starter indicated they expect half.

aibu to keep it all?

OP posts:
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Original poster
Yourcatisnotsorry · 09/09/2024 12:57

Thanks for all your replies and votes. Results will help me sleep a bit better at night and I’ve booked in a celebration lunch which I will pay for.

OP posts:
Original poster
Yourcatisnotsorry · 09/09/2024 12:54

ILikeItWhatIsIt · 08/09/2024 16:31

What did they get fired for? It must have been something fairly serious because it's actually quite difficult to sack someone these days, unless they've only been in the job a short time.

Unless you don't actually mean fired, but let go for some reason outside their control.

Yes it was encouraged to leave with a severance package rather than an actual escorted off the premises actual sacking. Just sub par performance in a role they weren’t really suited to. I think they will perform better here as a better match to skills and experience.

OP posts:
Original poster
Yourcatisnotsorry · 09/09/2024 12:52

OnTheBoardwalk · 08/09/2024 13:29

I got someone a very nice bottle of wine out of my referral bonus. If we'd been working in the office I would have got them a nice lunch somewhere, that's the limit from me, don’t care what other people had done in the past

I never never ever would refer someone who I know had been fired from a previous job, especially one who is now trying to get cash out of me

I do understand your point, the firing was not for misconduct but rather had been promoted into a role they weren’t suited to. They should do much better in the role at new place as it’s their core skill set.

OP posts:
Original poster
Yourcatisnotsorry · 09/09/2024 12:50

Candaceowens · 08/09/2024 12:26

the new starter indicated they expect half.

How?

they said ‘when will our referral joining payment come in’. I’ve not replied yet.

OP posts:
Original poster
Yourcatisnotsorry · 09/09/2024 12:48

NameChangedToDisguiseEmbarrassment · 08/09/2024 12:03

I’d have explained how it works before supporting them, too. I’d keep it all because it’s a bonus paid to YOU as the referrer, that’s how the scheme works.

But I am curious - if it comes out that they were fired, what are the ramifications? They might lose their job, you might have to repay the bonus? Or is the bonus paid after they pass probation so we are through that stage?

Asking because if you split it now and have to pay it back, what are the chances of old colleague giving you the half back?!

Good point. There is no recourse for HR to pay it back if they quit/get fired etc.

I don’t think they’d get fired for not disclosing they got fired from the last company unless they lied about it which i doubt they did but can’t be certain.

OP posts:
ILikeItWhatIsIt · 08/09/2024 16:31

What did they get fired for? It must have been something fairly serious because it's actually quite difficult to sack someone these days, unless they've only been in the job a short time.

Unless you don't actually mean fired, but let go for some reason outside their control.

godmum56 · 08/09/2024 14:58

I am not sure what the new starter thinks they have done to earn half the bonus. I think the fact that you knew they had been fired is a bigger worry. Money is nice but your good reputation is much more precious.

NameChangedToDisguiseEmbarrassment · 08/09/2024 13:36

Bingobisco · 08/09/2024 12:35

Be sure to deduct proper taxes,

Referral bonuses are paid via payroll and tax due deducted in the usual way. But also, way to miss the point of the thread.

OnTheBoardwalk · 08/09/2024 13:29

I got someone a very nice bottle of wine out of my referral bonus. If we'd been working in the office I would have got them a nice lunch somewhere, that's the limit from me, don’t care what other people had done in the past

I never never ever would refer someone who I know had been fired from a previous job, especially one who is now trying to get cash out of me

NiceCutRoundDomeDormice · 08/09/2024 13:24

Surely your reward is the bonus and their reward is the job?

Testina · 08/09/2024 13:24

I kept quiet that they’d been fired from the old company though

Do you mean fired as in simply let go, or fired as in their behaviour or work led to dismissal? If the latter, you would lose all professional credibility at my place once that came out.

NiceCutRoundDomeDormice · 08/09/2024 13:24

Bingobisco · 08/09/2024 12:35

Be sure to deduct proper taxes,

🙄🙄🙄

kittycats100 · 08/09/2024 13:21

They are getting a whole wage from your referral and advice, keep the money or just take them out for lunch on you to celebrate their new role.

Funkyslippers · 08/09/2024 13:18

*employee I meant

Funkyslippers · 08/09/2024 13:17

If the other employer was meant to get it, it would have been split by the employer. Keep it all

youve987456 · 08/09/2024 13:09

I think it is personal opinion. I've had a handful of referral bonuses and have always shared it, quite honestly I'd be embarrassed not to. My logic is that I wouldn't have got it if it wasn't for them. However, I know plenty of people who haven't shared it.

Bingobisco · 08/09/2024 12:35

Be sure to deduct proper taxes,

betterangels · 08/09/2024 12:33

Greytulips · 08/09/2024 12:12

My employer wouldn’t have been too impressed you kept quiet!

why would you recommend someone with that track record?

Agree. I wouldn't have taken that personal risk.

KATHSTYLE · 08/09/2024 12:32

Someone once introduced me to an employer and they kept all of the bonus for themselves.

It wouldn't have occurred to me to think that I might be entitled to any of it to be honest,

betterangels · 08/09/2024 12:31

Do you know why they were fired? You've basically recommended them. That's the relevant bit to me. You put your reputation on the line.

The money is yours, IMO.

Candaceowens · 08/09/2024 12:26

the new starter indicated they expect half.

How?

bifurCAT · 08/09/2024 12:26

You did them a favour getting them a job, you deserve a reward.

I don't get why it should ever be split. If that were the case, you'd get a thousand going to each of you automatically.

perfectstorm · 08/09/2024 12:24

Why would you recommend someone and not mention they were fired? That's such a professional risk for you, personally.

Absolutely staggered a colleague who knew you supported them into the role, even staying silent on that history, wants you to pay them for it as well. The favour is enormous, and I'd be so, so grateful in their shoes. You've taken a genuine risk to help them out.

Greytulips · 08/09/2024 12:12

My employer wouldn’t have been too impressed you kept quiet!

why would you recommend someone with that track record?

ginasevern · 08/09/2024 12:09

@daisychain01
"I kept quiet that they’d been fired from the old company though would have been honest had anyone asked."

why is this relevant?

It's very relevant in my opinion because the OP kept her mouth shut about her ex colleague being fired. In all probability they would not have got the current job if the truth had been known. So, she did her ex colleague a massive favour.

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