Cronyism is the most-common reason human resources managers cite for why they
have been forced to hire someone who otherwise wouldn't have gotten the job,
according to a recent poll on HR.BLR.com.
In the online poll, HR.BLR.com asked readers: "Forced to hire someone
who otherwise wouldn't have gotten the job? What was the reason?"
- 34 percent said cronyism
- 21 percent cited nepotism
- 15 percent said race, ethnicity, or gender
- 11 percent reported that the boss liked her for more than her job skills
- Another 18 percent said other
The poll had more than 560 respondents. The poll was a follow-up to a previous
HR.BLR.com poll in which 77 percent of respondents said they have been forced
to hire someone who otherwise wouldn't have gotten the job.
"Frankly, we were surprised at the prevalence of the problem--this is
clearly a hot button for HR managers," says Chris Kilbourne, managing editor
of HR.BLR.com. "The overwhelming impression is that management meddling
in the hiring process is alive and well in the American workplace."