To keep all the money?

[Yourcatisnotsorry]

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?

Yanbu but tbh I always split it

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

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

I'd keep it all

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.

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.

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".

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?!

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?

Yes, there is that

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
"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.

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

why would you recommend someone with that track record?

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.

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.

the new starter indicated they expect half.

How?

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.

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,

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

Be sure to deduct proper taxes,

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.

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

*employee I meant

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.

🙄🙄🙄

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.