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‘Recommend a friend’ schemes
The issue
What are the pros and cons of promoting your job vacancies externally by means of a ‘recommend a friend’ scheme, allowing employees to put forward friends or prior work colleagues who might suit a particular role. Are financial incentives for employees appropriate, received from the company once nominees have successfully completed a probationary period?
The responses
Several contributors report their companies’ successful use of such schemes which usually include an incentive element for employees. Payments offered include £250 on commencement of employment and a further £200 to £2500 (depending on the employment grade) on successful completion of a probationary period of 3 to 6 months. In one case the scheme is open to permanent employees only and for permanent vacancies only. One contributor points out that these schemes must not replace normal recruitment procedures – issues of equality and diversity must be considered. Further discussion covers the paperwork, processes and policies required to ensure the smooth running of a scheme and how to avoid, for instance, the situation where several employees claim to have recommended the same person.
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