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7 Best Ways to Avoid Nepotism Charges at Workplace

Employee Engagement, Employee Relations, Rewards and Recognition

(for Quora: What are the 7 best ways to avoid Nepotism charges at workplace?)

Commonly, a family business is run by two or more family members and often, people from extended family are hired or friends with talent are absorbed to fill various posts. Such scenario easily evokes the fear of nepotism in others who are not related to the employers. Even in organizations and companies, managers are always at a risk of being accused of nepotism though they may have no intentions of doing so. With family and friends working in the same office or awarding an open post to anyone who is believed to know the concerned manager outside the work place, creates doubt of favoritism in the minds of fellow workers.

Sometimes it may become impossible for employers and managers to rebuff the charges of nepotism hence, precaution is better than cure. Follow these steps to completely avoid nepotism charges:

1. It’s imperative not to involve your relation or friends in the performance appraisal of employees

Follow a 360-degree employee evaluation that excludes family members, friends and other relations from the process. It ensures a top-quality appraisal that supports non-preferential judgement. Convinced employees of fair practices will appreciate the approach and put in their cent percent effortto enhance productivity too.

2. Clearly state the criterion for promotion

Advertise the in-depth criterion required to be entitled for upcoming promotion in your organization. It should be crystal clear to your employees that those who come out with flying colors in the set parameters only will be shortlisted and eventually promoted. The detailed advertising makes it clear that it’s not a merely formality and that you have not already mentally made a choice to promote anyone through nepotism.

3. Reveal the result with data about the candidate selected for promotion

while asserting the name of the chosen candidate for promotion (especially if it happens to be your worthy relative or loved one or friend), be specific in pointing out how and by what margin the candidate successfully waded through the tests or questions or parameters thrown at him/her.

4. Avoid being a part of interview panel when your family members, friends or acquaintances apply for the vacant post

When you invite your people for interview to fill the open post, cast yourself out of the interview panel and allow the interview to be conducted by a third party. Therefore, you save yourself from the accusations of nepotism if your relative, friend or family is selected based on merit and experience. Also, it’s invariably prudent to not work in the same department.

5. Stay unbiased and layoff relatives when they under-perform

If people related to you continuously under-perform and a situation arises to layoff under-performers, then don’t hesitate to fire them. You would prefer to be mentally ready beforehand to perform this troublesome task. It is far better to be accused by a relative than bear the brunt of accusations of nepotism from your employees. Your acute action will have a positive impact on raising the morale of others.

6. Inquire the matter deeply when nepotism gets reported

If you ignore the accusation of nepotism on co-worker or manager of your team then look out, you could be charged for the same. Understand the gravity of the matter and take applicable action. If possible, set an inquiry panel for investigation and demand the outcome within stipulated time frame. If the accused is guilty then do what suits the best to ease the situation; may be a transfer to a different department or a written apology.

7. Adopt a fair approach to all

Last but not the least, a situation of favoritism and nepotism will never arrive if you keep your stance clear from the beginning and have a fair approach to all. Your reputation as a neutral judge to any situation will always protect you and polish your image.

A sword of suspicion hangs at the head of a person with authority. Be cautious and be prepared.

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