Unethical HR Managers
Recently, I had an unsettling experience with an HR director from a large company regarding a candidate I had placed with them. Here’s what happened: After discussing with the hiring manager, they confirmed they wanted to interview two candidates. I submitted one candidate’s CV, anonymized for confidentiality, and agreed to send the full CV if they were interested in proceeding.
Once they expressed interest, I set up the interview and confirmed the compensation rate with the HR Director, who also had the full CV and was aware of the terms before the interview took place. After the interview, they made an offer, and the candidate accepted it.
However, after everything was finalized, the HR Director tried to claim that they had already received the candidate’s CV from another source and that I was not authorized to work on the role. I was taken aback—this was a first for me in over 25 years in the industry! In response, I offered to resend the agreed-upon terms, as I was left shocked by this blatant attempt to pull a fast one and strong-arm a small business.
Fortunately, I have all the relevant emails, including her request for a discounted rate, which I agreed to, and her sending a full candidate specification for approval before the interview.
Has anyone else encountered something like this? I’m still reeling from the experience.
Unbelievable.
RCadmin
It sounds like you’ve had an incredibly frustrating experience with that HR director. It’s disheartening when a company tries to undermine a small business, especially after you’ve put in the effort and built a legitimate relationship. Clear communication and documentation are key in these situations, and it seems like you have that covered with all your emails and agreements.
Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for larger companies to leverage their position and try to play hardball, assuming smaller businesses may not have the resources to fight back. Your experience definitely highlights the importance of standing your ground and maintaining professionalism, even in the face of such blatant disregard for ethics. Don’t let this incident discourage you; it’s a reminder of the need for vigilance and clarity in all business dealings.
Have you thought about discussing this with others in your network or reaching out for advice on how to handle situations like this in the future? It could be valuable to learn from others who might have faced similar challenges.