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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:
daisychain01 · 08/09/2024 12:08

ginasevern · 08/09/2024 12:03

You kept quiet about them being fired from their first job. If you'd spilled the beans, they most likely would not have been hired for this role. I'd personally call it "hush money".

Yes, there is that Smile

also I think it encourages nepotism, unless it's handled very objectively. The recommendation from the referrer becomes an endorsement, which is somewhat of an insurance policy for the company. It is an extra layer of validation and a safety net.

daisychain01 · 08/09/2024 12:05

If it's a choice, then it's up to you if you want to give the former colleague any of the bonus. There's no right or wrong, it's just how you decide to do it.

I don't ever participate in a scheme where I stand a chance of gaining financially because I don't want the hassle and stress of it being associated with me if the person I recommend turns out to behave badly or unreliable. These schemes benefit the company because they can avoid exorbitant agency fees.

If it's a condition of the bonus that you signed up to sharing the bonus with the colleague then you should do that.

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

why is this relevant?

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?!

ginasevern · 08/09/2024 12:03

You kept quiet about them being fired from their first job. If you'd spilled the beans, they most likely would not have been hired for this role. I'd personally call it "hush money".

MagneticSquirrel · 08/09/2024 12:01

The custom of splitting the referral bonus seems weird to me! Usually referred colleague is happy to have new job, usually with more pay and nicer working conditions anyway.

The only reason companies pay referal bonuses is cos it incentives people, and it’s way less than what they pay to an agency! (20-25% starting salary)

Don’t share.

AsYouWiiiiiiiiiiiiish · 08/09/2024 12:00

You probably need to share it in order to keep things amicable... but considering you knew it was the custom in both of your old workplace you should have discussed this with them prior.

OhLookAStrawberry · 08/09/2024 12:00

I'd keep it all

Tbskejue · 08/09/2024 11:58

What could be the ramifications of this? Someone who you work with who is bitter towards you? It’s something you really should have made clear to them before that in your workplace this is how it works and you plan to keep it all

CandyflossKing · 08/09/2024 11:56

I was referred and my colleague got the bonus. Never expected anything from them, just glad of the job!

stripybobblehat · 08/09/2024 11:53

Yanbu but tbh I always split it

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