The Merriam Webster dictionary defines ethical as “involving questions of right or wrong behavior” and “following accepted rules of behavior”. Given those definitions, would you consider this situation unethical?
I recently had a panel interview along with 5 executive interviews and an interview with 2 managers. I work at the respective company already in another role. There were 4 applicants all internal with exception of one outside applicant. I am very familiar with the position and work with them in an ancillary role. That said I came to learn that one of my peer/panel interviewers was applying for the same position. Would this be considered unethical? Thank you for your time.
I can see where this could be interpreted as unethical behavior. A person is assuming the role of hiring manager one minute and internal candidate the next. There’s something odd about it. And there’s been no explanation.
But if there’s no company rule saying you can’t apply for a position where you were on the interview panel, some might argue it’s not unethical. Nothing in the company prohibits it from happening.
Or maybe the person on the interview panel originally turned down the job then changed their mind. It does happen. There was no deliberate deception going on, just a case of people who don’t know how to communicate (that, too, does happen).
Let’s help this reader out. Do me a favor and take this quick, one question poll.
Guillaume Desnoyers says
Unethical, for sure. It’s a textbook definition of conflict of interest…What was that member of the panel had in mind….Who’s the best person for the job? or What i’m gonna do to get this job? Managment shouldn’t let that happen….It’s a matter of credibility and trust…
Another Evil HR Director says
I think I see it more as a conflict of interest. How can you conduct an interview and give an unbiased assessment of a candidate when you’re vying for the same position?
Blake M says
I agree with the idea that it’s more of a conflict of interest instead of unethical. I couldn’t agree more with the thought process of Another Evil HR Director. It’s clear that the Hiring Manager should recuse themselves from the actual process of hiring for this position, but is it unethical? I don’t think so. It’s taboo.
AR_HRCom says
I agree: there is no intent to deceive. There was no written rule prohibiting the practice in this company either. However, common sense and fairness toward other candidates should be a guidance in this case. It does not seem to be existing a gray area, here: one cannot be a judge and be judged at the same time. If you are a HR professional I would lean toward the word unethical. If you are not an HR professional, it is most certainly a serious conflict of interest. Withdrawing from the panel beforehand would have been proper. Why did not the panel think of this internal candidate as a viable one and encourage him to apply before the whole process? Just for future reference.
Mary Ellen Jamieson says
The only question I have…is the peer applicant as qualified for the position as the other applicants?