Is it ethical to help a family member or friend get a job at your company?

Robert Shah, a sales representative for Quality Office Supplies Corporation, will receive a substantial bonus if he meets his annual sales goal. The company’s recognition point for sales is the day of shipment. On December 31, Shah realizes he needs sales of $2,000 to reach his sales goal and receive the bonus. He calls a purchaser for a local insurance company, whom he knows well, and asks him to buy $2,000 worth of copier paper today. The purchaser says, “But Robert, that’s more than a year’s supply for us.” Shah says, “Buy it today. If you decide it’s too much, you can return however much you want for full credit next month.” The purchaser says, “Okay, ship it.” The paper is shipped on December 31 and recorded as a sale. On January 15, the purchaser returns $1,750 worth of paper for full credit (approved by Shah) against the bill. a) Should the shipment on December 31 be recorded as a sale? b) Discuss the ethics of Shah’s action.

If you’re a hiring manager it could not be in your department or a direct report It would be unethical to hire someone on without the proper skills. Referring someone is one thing, hiring them on directly is another.

It depends if they are qualified, but if they are they cannot work together in the same store. I think it is not appropriate if one who has a position of hiring give a family member a job without following proper procedure.

It depends on how high up the chain you help them to start at. If you help them get a job in the mailroom and let them prove their abilities and rise up the chain on their own then no but other wise maybe.

Yes it is more people should be willing to help others, I think we have forgotten that as a people

Define help. Telling them that there are openings and they should apply? yes. Giving honest recommendations to supervisors who ask about their hireablity? yes Helping them see what they are qualified to do that they might not know about themselves? yes Laundering money into your social circle for personal, emotional, and/or financial gain? your gonna have a bad time.

As long as the company allows and knows about the relationship before they’re hired.

Depends on the method

Sure, if they have the right qualifications for the job and have to go through the same process as others to get the job.

Yes if your company allows it and you are not the supervisor

Yes. It’s always who you know over what you know. Happens at EVERY level of an organization. Entire schools like Stanford and USC are nothing more than creators of “boys clubs” for professional ladder climbing.

Yes just not under your supervision

As long as you are not a decision-maker in the hiring process, and you disclose your relationship to any person that you are lobbying, yes.