# Should I let this guy get a referral fee from me? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 12, 2019, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-let-this-guy-get-a-referral-fee-from-me/831015 "2019-03-12T18:29:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2019, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-let-this-guy-get-a-referral-fee-from-me/831015/41 "2019-03-14T14:02:50Z")
Absolutely not. No way, no how. Even if the risk is minimal, it’s nit worth it, even if the money is split down the middle. Seriously, I’m going to lie for a person I don’t even like for $250. And what if management finds out and we’re both n our asses without a job? I mean, hells to the no. It’s not even an awkward thing to refuse. Just say “sorry, but I can’t take the chance anyone finds out. Have a nice day.” ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2019, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-let-this-guy-get-a-referral-fee-from-me/831015/42 "2019-03-15T13:18:14Z")
This is the easiest dilemma ever. No. mmm ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2019, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-let-this-guy-get-a-referral-fee-from-me/831015/43 "2019-03-15T13:45:35Z")
Nope. Now, if it were for a cut of five _grand_… Kidding. Starting off a new job by defrauding one’s employer is not a wise tactic, IMO. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2019, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-let-this-guy-get-a-referral-fee-from-me/831015/44 "2019-03-15T13:52:13Z")
If management finds out, you’ll be fired with a very bad referral, and might face legal actions. What kind of a co-worker will subject you to that possibility? The man is not your friend, and I’d stay far away from him on the job. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2019, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-let-this-guy-get-a-referral-fee-from-me/831015/45 "2019-03-15T13:53:51Z")
If you’ve already started the job, it’s too late to try this and that’s what you should tell Bill - or rather, say that you’ve already had the conversation with your interviewers and your new manager about why you applied there, and that changing the story now would make the fraud patently obvious. Which it would, even if you _haven’t_ had the conversation with those people. The risk is too high for virtually no benefit. ---
**Author:** ![Alpha\_Twit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alpha_twit/32/265_2.png) [@Alpha\_Twit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alpha_Twit)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2019, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-let-this-guy-get-a-referral-fee-from-me/831015/46 "2019-03-15T19:25:37Z")
First of all, thanks to all who offered their thoughts on this matter. Next, sorry for my absence in this thread but this new job is pretty much kicking my ass. I’m pretty sure that Bill can kiss the fee goodbye for no other reason than I doubt I’ll be there in 6 months. I knew about the stunning amounts of overtime when I took the job but the physical brutality of it was a shock. If my other job offer comes in. I will not be there in a week. With all that be said, I did have a chat with an HR rep and told him the whole story. He had no problem with it. If I choose to turn in the form and hang around long enough then Bill gets the money. I presented my concerns to him exactly as I told them here and the rep saw no issue. I’m still not signing the form. Bill can go do something biologically improbable. ---
**Author:** ![Dickerman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/8baadc/32.png) [@Dickerman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dickerman)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2019, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-let-this-guy-get-a-referral-fee-from-me/831015/47 "2019-03-16T02:02:27Z")
It would have been fun to say something like “Sure, but $400 (or better yet, $450) for me, $100 for you.” just to watch his expression. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2019, 11:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-let-this-guy-get-a-referral-fee-from-me/831015/48 "2019-03-16T11:22:20Z")
I think that was the right call, **Alpha Twit**. I wouldn’t have done it because it seems to be part of this guy’s overall jerkitude, and the less he profits from being a jerk, the better for all those around him. ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2019, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-let-this-guy-get-a-referral-fee-from-me/831015/49 "2019-03-16T13:34:15Z")
You already made your choice, I voted no as I read OP. Curious, what type of work is this? No bearing on my thoughts about OP, just wondering ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2019, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-let-this-guy-get-a-referral-fee-from-me/831015/50 "2019-03-16T13:36:04Z")
You’ve got a lot of signs this is not a good place to work. Hope the other job comes through for you. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2019, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-let-this-guy-get-a-referral-fee-from-me/831015/51 "2019-03-16T13:54:07Z")
Say no. If you’re concerned that he could cause you problems in the future just tell him how you found the job and say that you already told your employers about that so signing the paper would get you both in trouble. ---
**Author:** ![Alpha\_Twit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alpha_twit/32/265_2.png) [@Alpha\_Twit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alpha_Twit)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2019, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-let-this-guy-get-a-referral-fee-from-me/831015/52 "2019-03-16T17:31:15Z")
> [@AncientHumanoid](#): > > Curious, what type of work is this? No bearing on my thoughts about OP, just wondering It’s fast paced assembly line work producing several type of engine and industrial filters. Parts move past me on a conveyor belt and I have to stack/assemble them at the rate of 32 parts per minute. On top of this, every five minutes or so, I have step back and lift a 20 kilo tub of components and dump it into a feeder hopper that’s just above eye level. The belt doesn’t stop to let me do this. If unassembled parts get by my station, I’m wrong. If the hopper doesn’t get filled, I’m wrong. The floor supervisor knows we’ve been running under staffed but he just parrots management’s instruction to cope as best we can while making our weekly quotas. To compensate for under staffing, they’ve been doing outrageous amounts of overtime. Five 10 hour shifts per week is the bare minimum. Supposedly, management does try hard to get us one full weekend off every month but you can pretty much count on working three out of four Saturdays plus the occasional Sunday. Kids, stay in school. ---
**Author:** ![Alpha\_Twit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alpha_twit/32/265_2.png) [@Alpha\_Twit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alpha_Twit)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2019, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-let-this-guy-get-a-referral-fee-from-me/831015/53 "2019-03-16T17:47:01Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > Say no… See post #46 ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2019, 8:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-let-this-guy-get-a-referral-fee-from-me/831015/54 "2019-03-18T08:11:02Z")
> [@Alpha\_Twit](#): > > It’s fast paced assembly line work producing several type of engine and industrial filters. Parts move past me on a conveyor belt and I have to stack/assemble them at the rate of 32 parts per minute. On top of this, every five minutes or so, I have step back and lift a 20 kilo tub of components and dump it into a feeder hopper that’s just above eye level. The belt doesn’t stop to let me do this. If unassembled parts get by my station, I’m wrong. If the hopper doesn’t get filled, I’m wrong. The floor supervisor knows we’ve been running under staffed but he just parrots management’s instruction to cope as best we can while making our weekly quotas. To compensate for under staffing, they’ve been doing outrageous amounts of overtime. Five 10 hour shifts per week is the bare minimum. Supposedly, management does try hard to get us one full weekend off every month but you can pretty much count on working three out of four Saturdays plus the occasional Sunday. > > Kids, stay in school. Oh lordy, I did a job like that for a while and lasted two months. I have immense respect for anyone who can stick at it, but I wouldn’t blame you for wanting a different job. ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2019, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-let-this-guy-get-a-referral-fee-from-me/831015/55 "2019-03-19T00:52:52Z")
> [@Alpha\_Twit](#): > > I’m disinclined to tell a falsehood to justify my choices or to help others profit from that falsehood. This is especially true when no justification is IMHO required. Bill is imposing his wishes on me uninvited. The fact that it doesn’t cost me time, money or effort doesn’t make Bill right. Understand that telling a falsehood that results in someone receiving money for something they didn’t do is commonly referred to as “fraud”. Not enough in this case to justify legal action (probably). Certainly enough for both of you to lose your job. IMHO, there is no upside for you here. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2019, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-let-this-guy-get-a-referral-fee-from-me/831015/56 "2019-03-19T01:03:39Z")
> [@Alpha\_Twit](#): > > It’s fast paced assembly line work producing several type of engine and industrial filters. Parts move past me on a conveyor belt and I have to stack/assemble them at the rate of 32 parts per minute. On top of this, every five minutes or so, I have step back and lift a 20 kilo tub of components and dump it into a feeder hopper that’s just above eye level. The belt doesn’t stop to let me do this. If unassembled parts get by my station, I’m wrong. If the hopper doesn’t get filled, I’m wrong. I’m sure you’re doing [splendedly](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NPzLBSBzPI&t=1m56s). ---
**Author:** ![Alpha\_Twit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alpha_twit/32/265_2.png) [@Alpha\_Twit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alpha_Twit)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2019, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-let-this-guy-get-a-referral-fee-from-me/831015/57 "2019-03-19T14:06:40Z")
> [@Spiderman](#): > > I’m sure you’re doing [splendedly](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NPzLBSBzPI&t=1m56s). Yeah, that classic clip looks like pure seamless perfection compared to the chaos I deal with at work. I havn’t seen planning like that since the pyromaniacs convention in the fireworks factory. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-let-this-guy-get-a-referral-fee-from-me/831015.md?page=2)