Should You Share a Referral Bonus - The Muse

Should You Share a Referral Bonus - The MuseShould You Share a Referral Bonus Referral bonuses seem like a win-win. The referred employee gets a great new job, and you get some extra cash. But wzu siche money is involved, there can also be hard feelings.Heres an example A woman I know helped a friend get a job at the pharmaceutical company where she worked. When the friend started in the new position, the woman who passed along her resume asked her out to dinner to celebrate. The recent hire was thrilled. In fact, she almost felt guilty allowing the woman to pay for her meal- until she found out about the large sum her companion pocketed simply by making the referral. During the new hires orientation, she learned from the human resources department that the finders fee was a generous $2,500. Suddenly that dinner didnt seem like much after all. Was she right to be disappointed?Some would say she should be happy just to have a job. But others argue that an equitable split of the bonus is only fair. Its a tough call, so I spoke with etiquette expert Lizzie Post of the Emily Post Institute to find out Is there proper protocol when it comes to referral bonuses?Post, the great-great-granddaughter of the famed manners maven, says its largely a situational question with no clear-cut answer. So, before you split the check, here are a few things to keep in mind.Consider the Referral RelationshipPost points out that if youre the one seeking out potential employees and doing all the legwork (e.g., connecting with job seekers in your network and inviting them to apply), That money is yours. On the other hand, it might be fair to divide the bonus if two colleagues have the same mutual friend in mind for the position, she notes.Another case for offering a kickback might be if a third party (say, a friend who doesnt work at your company) knows your company is hiring and suggests a friend of theirs who just happens to be perfect for the job. All of a sudden, you have someone to refer- even though youve never met. Post says at that point, you may want to offer something to the person who brought the new hire to your virtual doorstep. However, since youre the one putting your reputation and your name on the line, its still up to you to decide if youre willing to share the love. Size Matters (Maybe)Generally, the value of referral incentives ranges from $250 for entry-level positions to mora than $25,000 for top executives, with the most common bonus falling between $1,000 and $2,500, according to a survey by Worldatwork. While most people wouldnt think of asking for a cut of a small award, if you stand to gain a substantial sum and know that your referral will find out once he or she accepts the position, you may feel like its the proverbial elephant in the room, and be more inclined to share. The New Hire Will Have the Same Bonus OpportunityPost says while it would be extremely rude for the new hire to bring up the bonus, if he or she did, it would be fine to explain that thats how the company works and if he or she eventually refers someone, he or she will benefit from the same policy. Post adds that its common in the geschftlicher umgang world to motivate certain behaviors with financial rewards- so it shouldnt come as a surprise to either party that theres a reward for bringing a valuable asset onboard.Personal Finance is Just That- PersonalAccording to the etiquette guru, the biggest takeaway is that money is something really personal and no one needs to know how much you make or why youre making that amount. If the new employee presses you for details, Post explains, You could say something like, Pat, Im really glad that youre going to be working here and I think youll be a great addition to the team. I would have referred you with or without the bonus, but I dont discuss my compensation with anyone.If you decide to split the prize in some way, its completely at your discretion, notes Post. But dont forget- no matter if you spli t the cash, you (and you alone) will be taxed on the full amount.Depending on your comfort level and the nature of your relationship, you may feel compelled to share a portion of your referral bonus or express your best wishes in another way, like taking the new hire out for lunch, drink, or a celebratory drink. Whatever you choose to do, remember you went to bat for this person and were awarded for your efforts, and the new hire has the benefit of a brand-new career. So really, its a good situation- for everyone involved. Photo of money courtesy of Shutterstock.