Real-life MMD: I got £400 for finding someone a job, should I give them half? 31 January 2013 at 2:39PM edited 5 February 2013 at 5:27PM in Money Saving Polls 109 replies 24.3K views

Former_MSE_Debs

Money Moral Dilemma: I got £400 for finding someone a job, should I give them half?

My employer runs a scheme where if someone you refer gets a job, you receive £400. I recently referred a friend looking for a higher salary and, happily, she got the job and she now earns an extra £300pcm. She seems to think the £400 will be split between us and has asked me what 'we' should do with 'our' £400. Should I tell her it's actually meant for the referee alone, or keep quiet and split it?

Click 'reply' to have your say

Note: Please remember that these are real-life Money Moral Dilemmas and while we want you to have your say, please remember to be nice when you respond.

Got a MMD suggestion? [EMAIL="mmd@moneysavingexpert.com"]Email us[/EMAIL]

Previous MMDs: View All


[threadbanner] box [/threadbanner]

ironlady2022

Difficult one. We run a similar scheme at work and for my friend we agreed beforehand we would split it. Think you gotta work in the same office so is it worth arguing over? Guess it depends how close you guys are. Alternative is to 'treat' her to a meal and keep the rest.

keriku

Tell her that if she refers someone, she will get the same bonus! After all is she going to give you 1/2 of her extra £300 per month?

[Deleted User]

If it was agreed beforehand to split it, then split it.

If not, I'd keep it. If she keeps on about it, just tell her you already spent it, but you think there's enough left to buy her a burger if she wants one.

Viberduo

keriku wrote: »

Tell her that if she refers someone, she will get the same bonus! After all is she going to give you 1/2 of her extra £300 per month?

That is something totally different.

I would be unsure on the situation and how it was represented.

Easiest way would be giving something like £100 as thats a big bonus for them

p.mckinlay

It depends what you agreed beforehand. If there was no agreement, I would keep the money. After all she is £300 a month better off already. If you gave the impression that the money would be shared, then you should split it.

hairbrain05

billbennett wrote: »

If it was agreed beforehand to split it, then split it.

If not, I'd keep it. If she keeps on about it, just tell her you already spent it, but you think there's enough left to buy her a burger if she wants one.

^ what bill said! unless was agreed in advance, its your referral bonus..... you already helped her get the job!

I'm sure she will have the chance to refer someone else in the future.

pc1271

Even if you didn't discuss it, I think for the sake of your friendship it would be best to split - you still get £200 and keep a good personal and professional relationship with her. Quibble, and there'll be bad feeling, even if she accepts that the money is yours. Be pragmatic.

[Deleted User]

It's 'free money' - you never did any especial work to get it. Be a nice friend and split it

jax1305

maybe OP should consider that were it not for their friends' talents in landing the job, they wouldn't have the £400 bonus. Yes, the friend is now earning, as is OP but a good friend wouldn't think twice. As the friend has repeatedly mentioned the bonus, it appears that (whether explicitly stated before the job was secured) they're of the opinion it was to be shared.
Just split it and thank your friend for having the decency to take the job and get the bonus for both of you

oldtrout

You should have made it clear that it was a referral fee before it got to this stage! Personally, I think it's yours, but you should have told her that when it was first discussed, so now it's your problem!

I would probably go cap in hand to her and explain. Perhaps you could suggest that if you share yours with her, she might share any referral fee she gets with you. Obviously she would have to ensure that she initially gets the whole of her referral fee, and not create the same misunderstanding you have caused.