Is it unprofessional to hire friends?
Asked by APBT lover
A crew of about 6. 1 was a former employee and friend of my boss. A new hire today is a friend of my boss, who lacks experience and is going to be trained what isnt known to make up for lack of experience. We have competitive resume's on file. Is this unprofessional? It is a corporation. Many locations, and yes there are more qualified candidates. This person doesnt even meet the required qualitfications to fill this position. I love the response. Although I have not gotten a chance to read them all you all have very good points. We had someone fired recently,and immediately my boss and my co worker (also my boss' hired friend) immediately said "oh lets call so and so!" Not even thinking of anyone else. Not even giving anyone else a chance. My boss didnt even interview anyone else.

Best Answer:
I think the question is not really about whether or not it is unprofessional to hire a friend. The question is really about whether or not it is professional to hire someone who is less qualified than others because he or she is your friend. A lot goes into making that determination. It's a corporation that is large enough to have multiple locations. OK, but is it public? I work in a multi-location, multi-state, corporation with hundreds of employees. It's owned by a couple. They can do what they want and it's hard to say it's unprofessional: it's their plaything and they can do as they wish. If the company is publicly owned, that's a different story. Technically, the hiring authority is supposed to be working in the best interest of the share holders and, without a lot more information, it would be difficult to come up with a compelling reason for hiring and subsequently training an applicant who is less qualified than others. Presumably, the other more qualified appliants would not need the training, which is an expense in many easily measured and some not-so-easily measured ways. Many companies have policies against hiring family members into the same company or the same business unit but generally they don't have rules against friends. However, it is often regarded as poor performance to make a bad hire and a bad hire is often seen as one that is less efficient than other possible choices. Check your company's policy statements and/or handbook to see what they have to say on the matter. You'd be surprised how loosely run some fairly large organizations can be.

I personally think its unprofessional. Have this same problem in my previous company. My superior hired his friend and both covered each other's a**.
Answered by Nemrac666

It's unprofessional if there are more qualified canidates for the job, yes. As an employeer, you want the best workers you can get under you. Hiring friends who might not be qualified can cause problems at work as well as in the friendship.
Answered by Gilly Bean

yes and no good can come from it
Answered by ewtaylor2001

No, everyone does it. In theory it's unprofessional, but in the real world, it's done all the time. It's also a great way to advance your career or business by hiring a friend, who may one day pay you back for the favor.
Answered by macarthur1977

Not only is it unprofessional...but it isn't smart business. You always want to hire the best person for the job. You can become "work friends" on the job, but as the "boss" or "manager" you have to keep work at work and friends at home.
Answered by Barbiq

It is never unprofessional to hire the best person for the job. If that is your best friend, God bless. This obviously doesn't sound like that situation. A good friend hired me once when I was the best candidate and it worked out beautifully until I relocated in five years. But because of our friendship I had to meet a higher bar than all other applicants before and after hire. Good luck sounds like you have an unprofessional hot potato on your hands here.
Answered by Jane B

If your boss owns the business, then he / she is entitled to hire whoever he / she wants to work for them.
Answered by shoby_shoby2003

If they can do the job right, then nope, it's fine.
Answered by Doctor Plum

I hire my friend to redo my home, puting on an addition. I'll let you know how it come out.
Answered by Kenshin

I think you are covered legally. After a certain amount of employees the Government takes control of your business and tells you who you have to hire. As long as you stay under that amount you still have control of your business. As far as unprofessional I believe it is your choice as to who you want to hire and/or train to provide equal opportunity for ALL Americans. As far as being a wise choice, only time will tell. I have hired friends before and it work out well. I do not hire family, too much opposition. But, to say it is unprofessional is in the eye of the beholder!
Answered by snagelfritz

Never a good idea to hire friends...in my experience it never worked out. Best to hire the most qualified applicant.
Answered by Shar

It is asking for trouble, and patently unfair. It puts everyone under strain, and jeopardizes the work.
Answered by Just_gone

Think of it this way, whether it's your company or not you still work there and you have a vested interest in that company succeeding. Why bring someone to the table who doesn't have the skills you need? Sure you're helping a friend, but you're hurting the company.
Answered by Hector S

The first Mayor Daley said something like, "What do you expect me to do, give the money to strangers?!??"
Answered by tuisson

Yes its unprofessional, but no one is completely proffessional even if it is only 1% heart. This is somthing that happens everyday... and the person that has been hired may not have an excellent background but maybe she has an excellent heart and karma is paying her a visit.
Answered by Amanda F

As a former supervisor myself, I think it is very unprofessional. The most qualified should be hired for the good of the company. The company can't survive on inexperience. And, also, there is a tendency for favoritism which is not a good business practice either. The other employee's do not work as hard for you and do not respect you as a boss. Respect is important to have when you are a boss, employees are more loyal to you.
Answered by blangel

Unprofessional ? Yes, it is... It is also a fact of life... Get used to it...
Answered by Common Sense

It is wrong on so many levels. First of all you are doing your company a disservice as you are not hiring the highest quality candidate. Second you are doing yourself a disservice as you are in a hiring position and people are paying you to do a good job. they are relying on your abilities. Thirdly, you are doing all those qualified candidates a disservice as they have worked hard for their skills and now they may not get a job in their field as you are hiring a friend. It is just wrong, if I found out that this ever happened to me I would create a royal lawsuit!
Answered by spidertiger440

I wouldn't recommend it because if one fouls up a job then they are going to expect the other to cover for them.
Answered by summer k

It is not only unprofessional, but you are also asking for trouble!
Answered by startwinkle05

It's not entirely unprofessional but it can definately lead to accusations of favoritism. If I were him I'd be cautious about it and treat the friend the same as everyone else.
Answered by freddyneuwendyke

If the person is qualified for the job it doesn't matter whether he is a friend or not. If your boss is hiring people on the basis of friendship only, you can expect the business to go under. A good boss looks for the best he can get, not the best "friend" he can get.
Answered by nitroeater1

Imagine you're the boss. You have friends, you know them, you trust them, you feel good around them. There's an position open for the company. Remember, YOU'RE the boss. Would you hire some stranger, take a chance, yeah the resume', interview, etc went well. But you KNOW your friend(s). You remember there were times when they rose to challenges. You know what they're like when they're struggling. I really hear what you're saying, but just for a bit, put yourself in your boss's shoes, and consider if you just might consider doing the same. Peace only comes when you've looked inside.
Answered by Joy_Brigade

If they are qualified then hire them...friend or not, but it is unfair to hire someone who isn't qualified. The others on the crew had to have their experience to even be considered and this can lead to resentment within the ranks if they find out or know. They may feel cheated just because they didn't know the right person to help them get a leg up in life. What about the salary? Is he paid the same amount as the others who started with the relevant experience? This too can be deamed unprofessional. Just be careful in the future as it can come back to bite you. Try putting yourself in the shoes of the most qualified candidate, he didn't get the job because an unqualified friend did. Remember, if you think it is unfair...it probably is. Good Luck!
Answered by Carrie H

Based upon the information you have provided, it seems as if the decision to hire that person was based on "social connections" and I would say it does seem unprofessional. However, perhaps the individual has the capacity to learn very quickly and has other assets which he or she could bring to the company. Sometimes, things are as they seem and sometimes things are not. Your boss will have to deal with the repercussions from hiring the said person, and hopefully, all will turn out for the best for all who are affected. My best advise for you is to not worry too much over things you have no control over, otherwise you will create unnecessary stress for yourself each and every time you think about it. Just go with the flow and try to make the best out of the situation. It won't do any good to think ill thoughts about your boss, your new co-worker, or anyone, for that matter. Best wishes.
Answered by Heart

Yes, it is unprofessional as well as disrespectful to other employees and rather stupid from a business standpoint.
Answered by GreenGrasshopper

I don't think it should matter who the person is or their relationship to you or the employer. If they are not qualified they should not be getting the work.
Answered by Elisabeth R

if there are better qualified people than it is unprofessional to hire friends. It is going to cause a lot of stress from the other employees because the friend will get more stuff over the people that have been here longer so they will start to resent the boss it will cause a big problem. and don't let the other more qualified people find out. All in all this is more then likely to end very badly
Answered by Coconuts

Oh! When I first read your question, I thought you meant hiring people to BE your friends. (My answer would have been "no, not unprofessional, but it IS pathetic.") But now that I know the details, I would say that yes, if your friend is not qualified it is very unprofessional to hire him/her anyway, especially if more qualified people have applied. Ultimately, it is your call, though. Personally, I don't even refer friends if I don't think they'll do a bang-up job from the start. I feel that if I recommend or hire someone just because of our friendship, then I'm risking my own professional credibility, and our friendship might suffer if they let me down.
Answered by LadyJag

Not to hire but to give preference when they don't have the qualifications for the job. Best not to work for a Friend. I've worked for a boss that had many drinking friends working for him. He always promoted them over the better qualified person. Not right.
Answered by Chuck

It COULD be professional. I would rather hire a friend, even though i would have to train him because -- i feel "Safe" with him as an employee. another person with a "competitive resume" is risky, he might quit, he might have a questionable work ethic or be a plain psycho. Hiring friends is good when since you know a LOT about their character. Of course hiring a friend if he is COMPLETELY unqualified for the job is unprofessional.
Answered by hq3

I think it is unprofessional if he only hired the guy because he is friends with him... and if there are other people out there that can do the job better than to me that is unprofessional
Answered by Mandy

yes it is unprofessional b/c like you said the friend might lack that experience, but is only being hired out of his friendship.
Answered by Chel-z

not any more then it is to hire family members and if they a good job all the better, just treat them at work on a more professional employee/employer relationship and explain to them if you don't you will get reported on it to the labour board as everyone you hire you have to treat the same depending on their position and skills.
Answered by Mary S

yeah kinda
Answered by lil_ball_of_sunshine

Not unprofessional, if he is a hard worker and has the drive to learn. Although, in alot of cases, the friend takes advantage of the situation and slacks off, this is not good. So make sure that you have an understanding about what is to be done and if it isn't, then he is let go.
Answered by roncarolhillsstupid

Attitude is not a good counselor, yet it is known a good employer is always attentive to his requirements not his sorrundings, that is labor policy. On the other hand if they are friends they could know each other better, so they know how to pick on situations and cues to an extent better than with other persons, plus it aids most times to the environment when people love and care at work. It can be the most important factor in production and education. Perhaps the important issue at hand is to give more and produce more to be more respected or if the situation is an indicative of more unhappy or unreal things to come there is a sudden or prompt choice to make, whether it is good for your family (if I am allowed) to stay at the current position, perhaps claim more money or a different position for your troubles and capabilities which might as well not be currently exploited, or take a leave with a solid case and the substantial knowledge you did what you wanted and had to do ... etc. I may add I had respect in mind when answering your posted question, mate. Bye.
Answered by Manny

It's very unprofessional to hire someone who is not qualified, since it seems obvious he only hired this person because he is a friend. However, if you run a small business, it is perfectly natural to want to hire your friends, or friends of friends, or sons and daughters of friends, because you can trust them. That assumes, of course, that in fact they can do the job. No matter what the business, small or large, no one can afford to have their payroll become a charity roll. The people you hire must be productive and competent, friends or not.
Answered by auntb93

Well then if the sole reasoning that he is being hired is because he's a friend...then Yes, it's unprofessional. If y'all KNOW that he can be trained and learn well, and fast and believe that he'll be a benefit then that's probably not unprofessional. Just because someone is 'more qualified' doesn't make them the right person for the job!
Answered by texasgrants

I feel it is not if YOU keep it professional as well as them keeping it professional. If they know what is expected then they need to do their job if not keep it strictly professional and let them go. If u can help a friend in need then fine but let them know that your strictly professional and as soon as they start slacking then treat them like any other employee.
Answered by The real deal

Very unprofessional, if he's unqualified, he shouldn't be hired. Now that he is, does this mean he will not get fired for mess-ups?Who will take the blame if he does mess-up?Bring it up if you are given a chance.Wouldn't it be nice if only our resumes were what they got to see? Then on the interview, in the back of everyones mind, they would know that you qualify.
Answered by ib2pikee

It is very unprofessional, but it is done all of the time. Just remember this if you are ever the boss.
Answered by BUPPY'S MEME

Yes, as long both of you can keep it professional.
Answered by elgil

That is opening a can of worms, it is very unprofessional to hire friends or family in business especially when the person is not qualitifed. Look for long days and nights of headaches.... Sound too like your boss wouldn't have the balls to own up when things go wrong down the road.
Answered by Sydney

I had to leave my last job because of a situation similar to this. I believe if the new hire meets all of the requirements for the position, there isn't really a problem, but if there are more qualified candidates who have applied, your boss is playing favorites because he/she feels that they can. If you feel comfortable enough with the boss, you should voice your concern over the decision and recommend one of the other applicants, but be careful of repercussions.
Answered by squeekmnstr

Woof ! Woof ! Cheer up! Every thing will get better! Woof ! Woof !
Answered by ~Nan oru Naai~

there are no friends in business....
Answered by wideeyedsoutherner

It's a tough call. If he's willing to be trained & pull his weight, I guess you could bend the rules until he comes up to par. On the other hand, I have seen friends & family hired & either didn't show up for work or did a shi**y job & still collected a paycheck. Which is it? It's also really tough to fire someone like that when they don't perform.
Answered by shermynewstart

No, that is the way the world runs. It's all about who you know not what you know. Get used to it and QQ.
Answered by Kain