Hubby Had Great Interview, But...

[dis75ney]

My husband had a job interview this morning for a position a friend of ours had referred him for. The interview was great, and the fact that he knows two people at this company is a great thing. He should hear somthing by the end of the week.

This evening, DH is on Facebook and catches his nephew online. Turns out his nephew also works at this company. DN mentions that this company "discourages" the hiring of family members, so this might throw a monkey wrench into DH's possible employment.

This is a nephew (half-nephew, in all honesty) that we haven't seen in about two years. And DH had absolutely no idea his DN worked at this company...it probably wouldn't have even come up if they didn't have the same last name. Do you think this really could screw up his chances? We REALLY need a more steady income than what DH is getting now. Our two friends that work at this company are totally vouching for DH working there. Any thoughts?

 

[disneyfan19712006]

I hope not. the fact that they are distant relatives instead of immediate family may be on your side.

 

[SandrA9810]

Are they working for the same location or just the same company but different locations?

I wouldn't worry about it, and I wouldn't say anything. Especially in a smaller town, every neighbor can be a relative... When I visited my cousins in Indiana (second cousins), practically every other person I met was told I was related to them in some way. And when we went to the Cracker Barrel in the next town over, they managed to strike up a conversation with the waitress girl and managed to find a family connection through marriages. I was totally shocked. And sometimes there can be common last names in certain areas but still not be related to each other.

 

[jlima]

It's not immediate family. I wouldn't worry too much.

 

[PinballFamily]

I wouldn't worry - the two co-workers factor, to me, is much bigger and works in his favor.

(What a strange, catty, and snarky comment, though, by your nephew... Is there a jealousy factor here somewhere? Not to be too paranoid, that if --fingers crossed -- your DH does land the job -- be aware there MIGHT be a tiny issue here...)

 

[debbiecarr98]

I wouldn't worry - the two co-workers factor, to me, is much bigger and works in his favor.

(What a strange, catty, and snarky comment, though, by your nephew... Is there a jealousy factor here somewhere? Not to be too paranoid, that if --fingers crossed -- your DH does land the job -- be aware there MIGHT be a tiny issue here...)

I totally agree with this. It seemed like that to me too. Regardless, fingers crossed here!

 

[branv]

I suppose it could be an issue, depending on how small the company is or if management just has a "thing" about this. But usually it's only an issue if one is involved in an oversight position i.e. they are in HR, management over the other, touchy monetary positions (where collusion could occur...ex. connection btwn the person who approves expense reports and person doing the spending). But other than that, I would hope it won't be too much of an issue. Just tell them both to keep their pie holes closed And if it comes up, claim he wasn't aware...which he wasn't when he started, so it's not entirely a lie.

Though I, too, wondered if maybe your relative just disliked the idea of another relative working in the same company, for whatever reason, and was trying to discourage your DH.

I hope it works out well for you both

 

[ceecee]

Though I, too, wondered if maybe your relative just disliked the idea of another relative working in the same company, for whatever reason, and was trying to discourage your DH.

I hope it works out well for you both

I wondered the same thing...If he says something to HR and your DH doesn't that looks as though he is trying to hide the fact. But if DH hadn't been on Facebook in the first place he never would have known...which means they obviously aren't close!

 

[Pumbaa_]

I would also caution your DH about his facebook activity. Social media in genereal, esp during job hunting periods, should be squeaky clean! ANd I would keep mum on interviews and potentials - you never know who is a friend of a friend of a friend and can see you stuff

good luck and hope he lands soon!

 

[*pixie*dust*]

It really depends on if the company just "discourages" hiring relatives or if they have an actual nepotism policy. That will be the factor. If there is an actual policy in place it could be an issue. If it is just a practice you should be fine.

 

[dis75ney]

Here's what happened: DH went in for his interview, spoke with HR and one of the "bench techs" (which is the position DH is shooting for) and everything went really well. DH mentioned his friend Jim a lot. No mention of DN, because he didn't know DN also worked there. The bench tech was "impressed" (DH's words) with DH, and it helps that DH is currently doing everything in the bench tech job description at his current job. It's my understanding that someone came up to DN after the interview and asked if he knew DH, since they share the same last name. DN answered "yes, he's my uncle" and that's the last we heard...

DN is also a bench tech, so they'd be doing the exact same job. DH is planning on going back to school ASAP for his teaching certification. DH will be in school for either three or four semesters, depending on whether he needs to make up a class because the credit didn't transfer from his undergrad degree. DH has no intention of moving up in this company - he wants the steady paycheck, higher pay rate, and warmer work environment (he currently works in an unheated warehouse). Of course he didn't really mention that part...

I just find it unfair that they might base their decision solely on DH/DN's family relation. I'm hoping the fact that DH and DN are not immediate family helps. My company's not thrilled with the "immediate relative" thing either...I don't think many are. Too much cause for concern. But that doesn't stop them from doing it. I have a mother/daughter on my team now, and they're awesome! And the fact that we haven't seen DN since the last family reunion five years ago...

Thanks for all the responses, and keep your fingers crossed! I'll keep you all posted...

 

[dizkids]

well....that darn facebook TMI!!!

BUT i would also like to think that the 2 friends have more pull than the 1/2 DN he hasnt seen in a while.

Good luck and keep us posted!

 

[dis75ney]

I would also caution your DH about his facebook activity. Social media in genereal, esp during job hunting periods, should be squeaky clean! ANd I would keep mum on interviews and potentials - you never know who is a friend of a friend of a friend and can see you stuff

good luck and hope he lands soon!

No worries about that...he tends to keep his Facebook statuses food related (his last one was "Happy Birthday, Dr. Suess - in your honor, Green Eggs and Ham!" and then he posted said dinner as his profile pic). He doesn't really post anything work or home related unless he's exceptionally proud of our son. And his account was hacked about a year ago, so he's got as many security features activated as humanly possible. You can't see ANYTHING unless you're a friend of his...

It really depends on if the company just "discourages" hiring relatives or if they have an actual nepotism policy. That will be the factor. If there is an actual policy in place it could be an issue. If it is just a practice you should be fine.

I don't think it's an actual policy - if it were, I'm sure DH would have heard back from the company as soon as they spoke with DN. DH has been told to call Monday afternoon if he hasn't heard anything by then...I just HATE waiting!

well....that darn facebook TMI!!!

BUT i would also like to think that the 2 friends have more pull than the 1/2 DN he hasnt seen in a while.

Good luck and keep us posted!

I would like to think so too...we've been good friends with the two for about seven years now. We met in community theater and both have worked with DH in numerous shows, so they can certainly vouch for his work ethic if asked...

 

[SandrA9810]

Well it seems they knew about the relationship before the facebook conversation. So FB is kinda a moot point.

If it was one of HR guys that asked DN about the relationship, when your husband calls back on Monday just have him mention how far off he's related... cause aunts and uncles can have pretty close relationships family wise. But if he's joined in by marriage, there wouldn't be a strong family tie.

 

[MouseketeerOvaHere]

I personally think that the prohibition of family members working together can be a good thing, but only when one of the family members would be the others boss. There are a few positions at the hospital I work at that has cousins working in the same department, in which one is the others boss. It's nepotism at it finest. My father and brother have worked for the same company but never in the same department. And I once applied for a company in which one of my uncles worked for in a completely different area that I would work. I informed them that he worked there and the interview was pretty much over then. It sucks but it's totally up to the company. So while I get that its a conflict of interest, it should only matter when they will be in direct contact with each other. Such as one controls the others schedule or pay. Nontheless, I wish you hubby good luck and hopefully he'll land the job.

 

[PatriciaH]

Hope it works out. Lots of families working at Disney together. When DH and I interviewed they even interviewed us together. We have even worked in the same department a few times. In concierge they gave us the same schedule. Disney loves to do stories on families that sing in Candlelight together, etc.

Now we are headed back north and the bank DH will be working at does not allow relatives to work together.

 

[pixiewings71]

hmmm few years ago I got DD22 and her DFi jobs where I work. Different departments, different buildings but it wasn't a problem at all. I actually went to the person who hired me before going to HR and said "are we hiring? would it be possible for me to get C a job? if not, no worries but she really needs something better then what she's doing now" Both the VP (person who hired me) and HR said "yes, have her fill out an app and we'll get her in and get her a position" she started just a few weeks later. She worked for the same company for 3 years, then she moved to Idaho.

OP I really think your DH needs to let the HR people know he wasn't aware his DN worked there, and I'll keep my fingers crossed that he gets this position either way.

 

[taymorel]

I would think as long as one isn't a superviser over the other, it wouldn't be a major problem. The companies I have worked for allow relatives to work there, but not in supervisory positions.

Hope he gets the job.

caroline

 

[mamaLori05]

Before we had children, I worked at a company that did not like to hire relatives. However, my DH saw an opening in his field and decided to apply for it. It did come up in the interview that I also worked for them. He was still hired!! They told him when they offered him the job that they usually don't like to hire relatives, but made an exception for him because they really saw him fitting in with the company. He worked his way up to being a Manager of IS in less than 2 years, which is not very common there. He is constantly getting above average reviews and promotions.

I guess what I am trying to say is that if they want him bad enough, chances are pretty good they will make an exception to the rule. Expecially since you are distant relatives, and he has 2 people that are giving him good recomendations. Good employee's are not always easy to come by!!!

 

[CloveLeaf]

I'd say don't worry too much. Our company sometimes won't hire immediate family members, but that really depends on the jobs. If one is working in a secured department, the other family member needs to apply for jobs in the same secured department. Otherwise the other family member can't be hired. Since your husband and nephew will be in same department and even same job title. I don't see any problems. They won't be each other's supervisor.