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Here's a hypothetical (I'm asking without having "correct answer" in mind)

Posted by prayformojo (aka mayhem) Aug 3 '10, 11:47

You work for Debra, who is a VP.
For the past year, Debra does a lot day-to-day work she normally wouldn't do, b/c there's a director position that reports to her that's vacant.

In her day-to-day work, she's has had a very bad working relationship with Samantha, who is the director of a different department. Both departments are under the same umbrella, and have to work somewhat closely together, but have different (largely political) agendas.

You're on the team that will interview applicants to fill the vacant position that reports to Debra. The most qualified - by far - applicant happens to be Samantha's husband Barney.

Hiring Barney will mean that Samantha will most certainly be privy to a lot of departmental information that Debra doesn't want Samantha's department to have access to.

During the interview, your team was forbidden to ask Barney how he would handle heading the department while being married to the director of the quasi-rival department. So you couldn't put this question to Barney directly.

To what extent would Barney's relationship with Samantha weigh against him getting a job - a job which, absent the relationship, he would undoubtedly receive an offer for?

Responses:

not sure - does barney know what's in the boxes in the attic? -- nm - Diva Aug 3, 11:59
I'd abstain from the decision as you were forbidden from asking the elephant in the room question - Will Hunting Aug 3, 11:57 3
- Otherwise, clearly state he's the best for the job, but you can't feel comfortable without answers to a very possible Conflict of Interest. -- nm - Will Hunting Aug 3, 11:58 2
  - If there is a way to do this, it is what needs to be done. -- nm - David Aug 3, 12:00 1
    - this - Epiphany Aug 3, 12:04
I think that if the person deserves the job, you have to offer unless the relationship will assuredly create issues down the line. -- nm - David Aug 3, 11:57
All things being equal, don't hire Barney. - Dr.Vermin Aug 3, 11:55
Nothing good could come from his hiring. - Stephen (Status Seeker) Aug 3, 11:55
While qualifications are obviously important, they aren't everything. I'd remove Barney from consideration. -- nm - con_carne Aug 3, 11:54
Why would Barney be privy to Debra's information? - musubi Aug 3, 11:50 2
- It's necessary for the day-to-day running of the department -- nm - prayformojo Aug 3, 11:53 1
  - Huh. I honestly don't know what I'd do. Theoretically, Barney shouldn't be dinged by his marriage to Samantha. - musubi Aug 3, 11:59
This is why companies should have nepotism rules -- nm - Strongbad Aug 3, 11:49 3
- Yikes. Aren't families a cornerstone in the business world? -- nm - con_carne Aug 3, 11:57 1
  - You try to avoid it in companies that have this level of size. - Will Hunting Aug 3, 11:59
- This -- nm - amoxy Aug 3, 11:51

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Here's a hypothetical (I'm asking without having "correct answer" in mind)

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