B2 – Upper Intermediate
Nepotism is defined as the act of providing or receiving opportunities due to a family relationship or friendship. Dealing with this practice in the workplace can be tough, especially if you’re the one on the short end of the stick. Therefore, dealing with it professionally and personally is a must for anyone who experiences it.
Peruse today’s text to learn new insights and ways of handling nepotism at work.
https://www.inhersight.com/blog/insight-commentary/nepotism-at-work?_n=68250395#
Discussion Questions:
- How prevalent is nepotism in your country?
- What are the advantages and disadvantages of nepotism?
- On the whole, is nepotism more good or bad?
- Cite some examples of nepotism that you observe in your workplace.
- Can you give other ways to deal with nepotism in the workplace?
2 replies on “Nepotism in the Workplace”
Discussion Questions:
1. How prevalent is nepotism in your country?
I think that nepotism is still present in our country, and in our companies, but is a piece of evidence that over the years the percentage has decreased quite much. Years ago was more frequent than now, that in many companies nepotism episodes happened because the people who manage the companies wanted to surround themselves with friends and family people in the company. Nowadays, this situation is not too frequent but is still present in medium and small companies, in big companies is more difficult that this situation can be happening.
2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of nepotism?
On the one hand, hiring people you know can have some very distinct advantages, Reduced recruiting costs: Nepotism allows firms to inexpensively identify a pool of candidates for positions. Lower turnover: They are often the most dedicated employees and studies have found reduced absenteeism.
On the other hand, the disadvantages of nepotism: are that damage to the workplace also ruins the relationship and trust between staff and leadership, as well as the relationship between staff and favored employees. This can prevent an open work environment, making staff unwilling to collaborate with one another and expanding the organization’s institutional knowledge.
3. On the whole, is nepotism more good or bad?
On the one hand, in my view, nepotism is not good in public charges where the transparency must be total when someone is elected in whatever public position.
And on the other hand, in a private area, the companies should regard the qualifications, experience, and merits of the candidates above all. Considering that is an option in some companies, directors could hire some people close to them such as friends, family, or close people, but for me ever with enough requirements for the job.
4. Cite some examples of nepotism that you observe in your workplace.
Well, I was thinking about it, and I found just one example of nepotism, or at least similar to nepotism in my company. Then, my company directors are Portuguese, are two men, and since I started working with them I have been able to see that a big percentage of their hiring in specific positions are Portuguese people.
5. Can you give other ways to deal with nepotism in the workplace?
– Create anti-nepotism policies and procedures to be a part of the company’s code of ethics
– Provide anonymous channels through which employees can voice their concerns about nepotism in the workplace
– Work with HR to come up with a nepotism-reporting system
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