Money Moral Dilemma: Should I split my job referral bonus with the friend I referred?

MSE_Kelvin

This week's MoneySaver who wants advice asks...

My employer recently advertised a job vacancy, and I posted it on social media in case anyone I knew was interested. A friend got in touch about it, so I referred him, and he got the job. I'm now due a referral bonus in the £1,000s. I could use the money as I'm about to move house, but it's only thanks to my friend's efforts in his application and interview that I'll be better off. Should I split the bonus with him?

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Brie

Or your friend owes you because you helped him get a job? 

Frankly if it was a small amount - £100 or similar - I'd say no or maybe just buy him a beer.  But if it's in the £1ks - once you are paid it - maybe get him something as a congrats on the new job.  A better than usual bottle of champagne, a brief case, fancy desk tidy with posh pen, tickets to Oasis?  (just joking about the last but maybe a ticket for 2 of you to go to a game or something you both like?)

MacMickster

Strange question.  Your friend has got a job out of your referal which will benefit them by far more than your bonus.  Maybe your friend should buy you a drink or two.

kimwp

Agree with the above. The referral bonus is an incentive for you to advertise the role to people who you think are worth employing.  Your employer benefits from a good new employee, your friend benefits from a good new job (assuming that you made the introduction based on those things being true!). 

CapeTown

What a daft question.  No. Your money fair and square 

frankstead

The money is yours, if your friend falls down on the job his failure could reflect on you. To make you feel better buy him a good bottle of wine.

bikaga

A friend referred me and offered to take me for a nice meal from the bonus, I thought that was a nice gesture. I was also making more than in my previous job though, so I wouldn't have expected anything, but certainly not more than that kind of gesture.

On the other hand, he took the initiative and might've gotten the job without your referral, too. So if you'd feel better sharing more with him, go for it Or put some of it aside for a weekend trip / getting nice tickets to a gig or match that you wouldn't usually spend out on. But there's no obligation.

nightowl45

Your employer pays you that money because it it many, many times cheaper than paying a recruitment agency. Do you think an agency would split their commission with a candidate because of all the effort they put in? The answer is no, the money is yours. 

gothvixen

I'd celebrate with my friend, my treat. You've done him a huge favour. The company has chosen him, so they thought him the best candidate, and you're being given the reward they offered for finding someone suitable. Feel no guilt. Everyone benefits here.

jrio

Yes.  Yes, you should.  "Needing the money", due to a house move, is merely deflection, and a defence for greed.

Your friend got in touch, you referred him, then he got the job.  That's 50/50 in my book.

New_in_the_fens

i joined my current employer following a referral and the bonus was paid to my friend. At no point have I ever thought I should have got some of that money 🙄 and my friend (quite rightly) never offered. It’s your money. Put it towards your moving costs as planned.